Honda NSX For Sale

This is Japan’s answer to the Porsche 911 Turbo, and a pretty darn good one. The NSX melds technology and tactility to impressive effect without lacking the ultimate emotional appeal of the best supercars. When Honda announced the return of the NSX, the legendary supercar of the 1990s, expectations were sky-high. However, the 2016 NSX was met with a mixed reception at launch. While it boasted impressive performance figures, many purists felt that the addition of turbochargers and hybrid assistance betrayed the spirit of the original car, inaccurately so. The development of the new NSX was a long and winding road. After discontinuing the second-generation NSX (NA2) in 2005, Honda began exploring various concepts for its successor. One early prototype, captured in grainy YouTube videos, featured a V10 engine and a front-engine layout. However, when Takanobu Ito became Honda’s CEO in 2009, he envisioned a new NSX that was technologically advanced and focused on dynamic performance. This vision led to the development of the NC1, a mid-engined, hybrid-powered supercar that aimed to redefine the NSX legacy.

What the Honda NSX has to offer

While the 2016 NSX’s 3.5-liter V6 engine may not seem significantly larger than the original NSX’s 3.2-liter unit, the addition of two turbochargers and three electric motors transforms its performance. This hand-built engine, with a dry-sump design, delivers over 500 horsepower on its own. The hybrid system further enhances the NSX’s capabilities. A twin-motor unit powered the front wheels, while a third motor is integrated with the engine’s crankshaft to boost power to the rear wheels. This configuration results in a combined output of 573 horsepower and 476 lb-ft of torque – more than double the figures of the first-generation NSX. With all-wheel drive, a 9-speed dual-clutch transmission, and electric motors’ instant torque, the NSX achieves blistering acceleration. Despite being nearly 440kg heavier than its 1990s predecessor, it can sprint from 0 to 62 mph in the low three-second range or even the high two-second range under ideal conditions. Interestingly, Honda chose not to publish official 0-60 or 0-62 mph times for the NSX.

What makes the Honda NSX so unique?

The second-generation NSX wasn’t just overly ‘special on the surface, but it was (and still is) very special in its engineering. Suppose we accept that its considerable performance sprang from the same sort of technology used by far more high-profile and far more expensive cars. Shouldn’t the NSX have been pitched as a 918 Porsche for a sixth of the price, a McLaren P1 for a seventh of the price, or a LaFerrari for an eighth of the price?

What are the running costs?

While supercars are typically associated with exorbitant running costs, the NSX somewhat breaks the mould. Thanks to its hybrid system, which allows for electric-only driving at low speeds and an efficient start-stop function, Honda claims a respectable fuel economy of 28.2 mpg. That’s not bad for a near-600 horsepower supercar weighing close to 1800kg. Of course, real-world fuel consumption will vary. In everyday driving, expect to achieve mileage in the low-to-mid twenties. And if you unleash the NSX’s full potential, be prepared to burn through a gallon of super unleaded every 15 miles or so. Despite its thirst for fuel when driven enthusiastically, the NSX’s CO2 emissions of 228g/km make it a relatively tax-efficient choice for business users. Moreover, being a Honda, it promises exceptional reliability, a stark contrast to the often-maligned Southern Train services.

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