Thursday 21st May 2015

Honda NSX R: Spotted

Less power than a new Civic Type R; anyone especially care?

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Media drives of the Honda Civic Type R are imminent and of course expectations are incredibly high; both previous generations found many fans here, it's been in development for a jolly long time and all the stats suggest it should be great.

Let's see.

In good company

But more than that it's the fabulous heritage of the Type R badge, a moniker that's only existed for 20 years but is legendary worldwide for magnificent drivers' cars. Integra, Accord and Civic have been the models in Britain but Gran Turismo has opened up Western enthusiasts to others, including most notably the NSX-R.

Obviously this car had to feature. OK, it's not Championship White and, yes, it has the larger wheels but it's an NSX-R in the UK! It's the first Honda Type R and for many the definitive one; building off a superb base and then made lighter, stiffer and more capable for what must be an extraordinary end product.

The list of modifications from NSX to NSX-R is reassuringly extensive and fantastically nerdy. As well as the stuff you may expect to be jettisoned such as the sound deadening, air-con and the stereo, the NSX-R also ditched central locking, the airbags and even had a smaller toolkit than an NSX. Aluminium was used for a few formerly steel parts, the traction control went and the battery was lighter as well. This is a proper lightweight special. That's before the Recaros, the lighter armrest (!), the thinner glass...

This in addition to one of the finest sports car powertrains that ever there was. Type Rs had closer ratios and a higher rev limit than a standard NSX too - all sounds rather enticing, doesn't it?

The NSX-R was only ever sold in Japan, so at least there's the advantage of right-hand drive. This car has spent the past seven years in Australia and has just arrived here in the UK with 38,000 miles on it.

The 'R' means alot

Now £95,000 looks a hell of a lot for anything, leave alone an NSX. However, there's a method for making the NSX look far better value. It's called the 964 Porsche 911. The parallels between an RS and Type R here are fascinating: both of the same era with similar power outputs and remits as the most driver-focused offerings from their makers. But low mileage RS 964s are £200K. The Porsche name will carry more kudos. But as cars to drive? Hmm. It would surely be fantastic fun finding out though!

We shared this advert across PH social media a couple of days ago and one commenter laughing off the prospect of a £95K Honda received his fair share of supporters. Do enough people appreciate how significant the car is? Let's see how long it's available for. But suffice to say there will be a few lotto tickets purchased in the PH office this weekend!

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HONDA NSX TYPE R
Engine: 2,977cc V6
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Power (hp): 280@7,300rpm
Torque (lb ft): 217@5,400rpm
MPG: 29.7mpg (NEDC combined)
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1995
Recorded mileage: 38,300
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £95,000

[daveco]

Surely even more special than a 964RS, given the Porsche's disadvantage in its layout, aero, and engine power?

I bet the this engine sounds better too!

Edited by daveco on Thursday 21st May 11:26