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THE ULTIMATE NSX COMPARISON - DRAG RACE INCLUDED!

Published: 2022-05-01 09:07:17 Last Updated: 2022-05-03 20:54:13

The Acura NSX, also called the Honda NSX by some, depending on which section of this planet you call home. is the Holy Grail for fans of VTEC. It’s not only the pinnacle of VTEC engineering thanks to a then all-new 270 hp V6, it was also classed as a supercar, and that makes the NSX Honda fanboi royalty right there. It was originally dubbed Project NS-X, with the latter being the acronym for New Sport Experimental, and the very first production model was released at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show before public release in 1990. It was called the NSX. Another claim to fame for the NSX was that legendary Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna was involved in the final development of the car, giving invaluable feedback on the driving dynamics and handling. It was the first all-aluminium body production car, which saved an incredible 200 kg over a same-sized steel body. As with most halo cars, the production range featured a few limited edition models (of a car already limited in numbers), like the 51 cars created in honour of his dual CART championship wins while racing for Honda. These special cars have no problem fetching more than double the money that it’s modern replacement is valued at, easily over $300 000 (R4 800 000).

The Acura NSX featured in this drag race is a Zanardi edition, so seeing it driven hard is awesome. The car it’s going up against here is the second generation Honda NSX, and with it taking just fourteen years between generations, the technology jump is absolutely massive, miles away from that original 270 hp V6. Well, there is still a V6 in play, but this time it’s in 3.5-litres and is twin-turbocharged that creates a healthy 383 kW (500 hp), which is coupled to a 3-motor electric all-wheel drive Sport Hybrid setup that sees power rise to 427 kW (573 hp). Mated to a 9-speed dual clutch transmission, this all-new Japanese supercar was capable of a 0-100 km/h sprint of 2.9-seconds and it ran to a top speed of 308 km.h (191 mph).

So on paper these two different generation NSX models are light years apart. There’s an all-wheel drive hybrid coupled to a twin-turbocharged V6 and then there’s a normally aspirated V6. One makes really good power, the other makes less power than most modern hot hatches with a little tune thrown at them. One is worth silly amounts of money, the other is worth twice that, if you can ever find one up for sale, impressive considering they sold for under $85 000 when new. With all those differences, many would say that a drag race is pointless, but when two cars line up, no mater what they are, one will go faster than the other on purpose. Which NSX is your money on?

Take a look at the YouTube video that compares the legendary, classic Acura /Honda NSX to the modern remake, including a drag race, below: 2022 Acura NSX Type S vs 1999 Acura NSX // The ULTIMATE Comparison + DRAG RACE | Throttle House.

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Article Tags: Cars SXdrv JDM Supercar Classic NSX Honda Acura