HONDA NSX 2002-2005 Photos, engines & full specs

The Honda/Acura NSX was the first internationally acclaimed Japanese supercar. It was unveiled in 1990, and it had two facelifts along its way.

There is so much to say about the NSX, the supercar built by the same carmaker that made the Civic or the Jazz/Fit. But few things must be said to understand how important that car was. It was a theme inspiration for Gordon Murray when he designed the McLaren F1 supercar, and it was the only vehicle that benefited from the experience of one of the greatest racing drivers in the world, Ayrton Senna. Honda introduced it in 1990 with a 3.0-liter V6 engine. Seven years later, it increased the displacement to 3.2-liter. The final upgrade was made in 2002.

Between 1990 and 2002, the automotive trend was changed, and carmakers gave up the pop-up headlights. Honda did the same and installed a new set fitted with HID lamps, which doubled the lumen power (light power). The front bumper was extended and lowered, increasing the downforce. There was a new set of taillights and a lip-spoiler on top of the trunk-lid in the rear. All these upgrades made the car quicker to 125 mph (201 kph) by 0.2 seconds and increased the top speed from 168 mph (270 kph) to 175 mph (285 kph).

The interior received some mild upgrades for the trims and upholstery. But it featured the same classic Honda layout for the instrument cluster, which could have been seen on the Accord or Civic.

Three years after that update, Honda withdrew the NSX from the assembly line. The all-aluminum bodywork and the complex powertrain led to a price much higher than its competitors, without beating them on the track.