How Honda Challenged Ferrari with the NSX

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The unlikely supercar killer

Ferrari is a name that evokes passion, performance, and prestige in the automotive world. For decades, the Italian marque has been synonymous with the pinnacle of sports car engineering and design. But in the late 1980s, a new challenger emerged from an unlikely source: Honda.

Honda was already a successful manufacturer of motorcycles, economy cars, and Formula One engines, but it had never built a supercar before. It decided to take on Ferrari with a bold project: the NSX, which stood for New Sports eXperimental. The NSX was Honda’s attempt to create a car that was as fast, agile, and beautiful as a Ferrari, but also more reliable, comfortable, and affordable.

The NSX was a radical departure from Honda’s previous products. It had a mid-engine layout, a lightweight aluminum body, and a high-revving 3.0 L C30A V6 engine with variable valve timing (VTEC). It also had a sleek and aerodynamic design, inspired by the F-16 fighter jet. Honda’s engineers spent years developing and testing the NSX, with the help of legendary Formula One drivers like Ayrton Senna and Bobby Rahal.

The NSX debuted in 1990, and it immediately impressed the critics and the public. It had a top speed of 163 mph, a 0-60 mph time of around 5 seconds, and a superb handling and braking performance. It also had a spacious and ergonomic interior, a smooth and quiet ride, and a reasonable price tag of around $60,000. It was a car that could be driven every day, unlike most Ferraris, which were notorious for being temperamental, expensive, and impractical.

The NSX was a huge success for Honda, and it earned the respect and admiration of Ferrari fans and rivals alike. It also influenced the design and technology of other supercars, such as the McLaren F1, the Porsche 911, and the Audi R8. The NSX proved that Honda could compete with Ferrari on its own terms, and that it was a force to be reckoned with in the supercar segment.

The NSX was produced until 2005, with several updates and improvements over the years. It was then discontinued, leaving a gap in Honda’s lineup and a legacy in the automotive history. In 2016, Honda revived the NSX name with a new model, which featured a hybrid powertrain, a carbon fiber chassis, and a futuristic design. The new NSX was also well-received, but it faced a much more crowded and competitive market than its predecessor.

The NSX story is a fascinating one, and it shows how Honda challenged Ferrari with a car that was like a Ferrari, but better. It was a car that combined the best of both worlds: the performance and emotion of a supercar, and the reliability and usability of a Honda. It was a car that changed the game, and that still inspires awe and admiration today.

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