Old vs new? It's always an interesting question. And it's even more interesting when it comes to the Honda/Acura NSX. The new NSX is soon bidding adieu, with the Type S marking the end of the line for the second-generation NSX. To see how the new NSX stacks up with its predecessor, Thomas and James from Throttle House have brought together the new Type S against the 1999 Acura NSX Alex Zanardi Edition, one of the rarest versions of the NSX.
Comparing The Two NSXs
Under the hood of the epic 1999 NSX is a 3.2-liter V6 engine with 290 hp, that revs up to 8,000 rpm. And of course, it has VTEC that kicks in very nicely at 6,000 rpm. And it makes a truly glorious sound, a sound that any car fan will surely love.
The new NSX Type S meanwhile, is a hybrid. It has three electric motors, 600 hp, and it is all-wheel drive. And even coming from behind the old NSX, the new NSX in the hands of Thomas obliterates the 1999 legend. And only 353 2022 Type S examples will ever exist.
Acura’s Most Powerful Car
The new NSX is, at the moment anyway, the quickest and most powerful road going Acura ever. And while there are other, faster supercars out there, none are as comfortable as the current NSX. It's one of the most civilized supercars in the world. But it doesn’t quite stir the emotions of the Zanardi NSX. There isn’t that connection between the driver and the car that the original car had. Thomas say it is so close to being a brilliant car, but he feels he can’t really have fun at the limit of the NSX.
The Two Cars Are Worlds Apart
The whole video from Throttle House is very much worth watching to see how these two generations of NSX stack up. Thomas and James both commend the styling of the new Type S, and how they didn’t just slap a Type S badge on it. But it is clear that these two cars are worlds apart, and that the new NSX doesn’t evoke the same emotions as that 1999 Zanardi Edition. But then again, it was always going to be hard to beat one of the greatest JDM cars of all time.
Source: Throttle House