1991-96 Acura NSX Coupe

If you can’t afford a jet, the NSX might be the next best thing

by Marit Anne Peterson

The Acura NSX, unveiled by Honda in 1991, was an attempt to fuse user-friendly ergonomics with supercar performance. The seven years of development that went into the car resulted in an exotic that was as easy to drive as an Accord. But the Acura NSX was also a true exotic with a lightweight aluminum body and styling modeled after the F-16 fighter jet. Lightness and aerodynamics were primary concerns in the design of the NSX. Its Ferrari-esque nose slopes gradually upward back to the cab-forward greenhouse, which in early coupes is entirely black to emphasize its cockpit heritage. The car is long in the haunches to accommodate the mid-engine drivetrain configuration. An integrated spoiler and striking, full-width taillight design complete the sleek look, which was modern enough to last a decade without looking dated. Styling was and is a selling point for the NSX; it is concise without being reserved, dramatic without histrionics. Power is supplied by a...