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A theory to prove. What is the best driver’s car ever built? We would wager that all car enthusiasts have their own answer to that question. Regardless of what jumped to your mind, you were probably correct, because there’s no single right answer. Perhaps you even imagined a Honda NSX because you already know what this article is about.

The NSX was also born from an answer to a question. “What if?” Some time spent testing a factory mid-engined mule car based on a Honda City mixed with that question was powerful enough to commission Italian car designer Pininfarina to build the HP-X prototype in 1984. Although at that stage the “What if?” thought was replaced by “We can probably do it”. The HP-X prototype was powered by a 2-liter V6 used in Honda Formula 2 cars. As Honda went forward with the project, they intended for it to rival the mid-level Ferrari sportscars, so they decided to replace the engine with a new 3-liter V6. Initially the plans did not include the use of a VTEC system because it had only been developed for inline-4 engines, but Tadashi Kume, who was the president of Honda Motor Company at the time, pushed the engineers to implement VTEC in the design. Thus, the models known as NSX NA1 produced from 1991 until 1997 ended up with a 3-liter VTEC V6 producing around 270 horsepower in models with 5-speed manual transmission and around 250 horsepower in the 4-speed automatic models. In 1997 the manual transmission NSXs received a massive performance upgrade, with a new 3.2-liter V6 now capable of an output of 290 horsepower and a new NA2 chassis code. Additionally, a 6-speed manual transmission replaced the old 5-speed. In 2002 the NSX received a facelift, with suspension adjustments and multiple styling changes, the most notable of which were the fixed headlights.

The development and engineering effort has made NSX’s base models fantastic. The aluminum semi-monocoque and aluminum suspension elements made the car super light, the driver’s sitting position was optimized for visibility similar to that of an F-16 fighter jet, and the mid-engined layout also contributed to a phenomenal cornering ability by that time’s standards. But when was a base model sportscar ever enough? Honda knew it never was, and designed a special performance-oriented version – the NSX-R, albeit exclusively for the Japanese market. An emphasis on weight reduction became even stronger, and everything deemed unnecessary by the engineers was removed, including the AC, audio system, and traction control system. Regular leather seats were replaced with carbon-kevlar semi-bucket seats made by Recaro, and stock alloy wheels shared the same fate, having been replaced with forged aluminum Enkei wheels. To make for more predictable handling, the suspension was readjusted to counter oversteer during high speed cornering. The gearbox was also adjusted, and the final drive ratio was increased to improve acceleration. Between 1992 and 1995, 483 NA1 NSX-R models were produced. Then, between 2002 and 2005, approximately 140 models were produced with NA2 chassis codes, which meant bigger 3.2-liter engines and a facelifted exterior design. Weight reduction remained a priority for NA2 NSX-R models, and many metal body components have been replaced by carbon fiber ones including the hood, trunk lid, and a more pronounced hollow rear wing, which the manufacturer claims was the first one to be made out of carbon fiber and fitted on a production car. Honda even went as far as removing sound insulation and power steering, which resulted in a mere 1270 kilograms of curb weight. The obvious way to complement this treatment was to enhance the engine performance, and so each NA2 NSX-R engine had its rotating assembly precision weighed and rebalanced, which is a process typically reserved for racecars. The official power output was declared as 290 horsepower, however, independent dyno tests were showing numbers around 315 horsepower. Reflecting on the intentions to rival Ferrari and other sportscars, the experiment was a loud success. Numerous reviews from the press, as well as the famous 7 minutes and 56 seconds lap on Nürburgring done by Motoharu Kurosawa, are arguably all the proof you need.

The NSX line and specifically the NSX-R have become some of the most desirable cars to ever come out from Japan, and given the rarity, many are willing to spend a pretty penny to get one. The demand for the 1st generation NSX was always high, but not many anticipated it to hit such a high price mark 33 years later…

Sold! All NSX-R models were sold exclusively in Japan, and our next focus was registered there in June 2003 and stayed there for the next 13 years until around 2016 when it was purchased by Johan Bonnier – a Swedish car collector. Due to the complexity of vehicle import procedures in Sweden the car was first imported to the United Kingdom, where it was professionally serviced. In 2019 it finally arrived in Sweden, although to comply with vehicle registration requirements, the headlights needed to be replaced to accommodate for right hand side driving. The replacement OEM headlights were only available with the framing painted silver, but it was repainted in Championship White to match the rest of the car. Between 2019 and 2025 the car has undergone professional service twice, once in Sweden and once in the Netherlands. The car was exhibited at multiple shows including Fuori Concorso in Cernobbio, Italy in 2023 and Costa del Sol Concurso d'Elegancia in Marbella, Spain in 2024. In May 2025 the car was auctioned by Broad Arrow at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este in Italy. It was sold for 934,375€, which has officially made it the most expensive Honda ever sold.

No doubts. Frankly speaking, you may guess what the majority of opinions about NSX-R or a base model NSX are. This car, its engineering, and what it can deliver for drivers on the track have withstood decades of tests, and need no confirmation. Today it is known as one of the most iconic JDM classics, and perhaps even deserves to be called the best of them. Having humbled Ferrari and other sportscar makers, its bold presence will never go unnoticed.