autoevolution
 

First Series Production Acura NSX Delivered to Rick Hendrick

First Series Production Acura NSX Delivered to Rick Hendrick 1 photo
Photo: Honda
Wondering what it feels like to buy a $1.2 million Honda? Well, just ask the guy who got the Acura NSX with the VIN number 001. It's a little overpriced, we know, but the proceeds are going to two children's charities.

1.2 million isn't that much for a supercar these days. All you need is a platinum record, a sex tape or a contract with Nike. Owning the first production 2017 NSX isn't such a big deal either, even though Acura fans will dissagree.

The first customer, Rick Hendrick, earned the right to custom order the first production NSX with a winning bid at the Barrett-Jackson auction in January. He was allowed to personaly drive his Valencia Red Pearl Acura NSX off the line.

"Taking delivery of this first new Acura supercar and knowing the proceeds will benefit two remarkable organizations for children makes this a very special moment for me and everyone on our team," said the owner of Hendrick Motorsports and chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group. "It's especially rewarding to see this incredible supercar coming to life in the United States, which is a real testament to the company's commitment to innovation and manufacturing here."

The original NSX was the car that sent Ferrari back to night school to learn how to build a fast, reliable supercar. But the newer model isn't that groundbreaking. Yes, it's got electricity, but not in the ammounts that the Porsche 918 Spyder boasts. Yes, it's got double turbochargers, but not as much power as the new Ferrari 488 GTB.

Somehow, the new model didn't get the design right either. While the original is a timeless Pininfarina sportscar, the newer model is like some Cadillacs. The styling is brash, American, but the smaller details aren't perfectly built.

Still, the NSX is a source of National Pride. In Anna, Ohio, at the company's largest engine plant, master builders hand-assemble the NSX's 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, which is then mated to its advanced 9-speed dual clutch transmission and rear direct drive electric motor. Each NSX engine is machine-balanced, bench tested and broken in to the equivalent of 150 miles of service to ensure that every one is track-ready upon customer delivery. The engine is installed at the PMC, along with its front-mounted Twin Motor Unit, which enables electrically powered torque vectoring. You don't get that on a Ferrari...

If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories