The NSX was first introduced to the world in 1984 as a concept car known as the HP-X, meaning “Honda Pininfarina eXperimental.” With a design team led by Honda Chief Designer Masahito Nakano and Executive Chief Engineer Shigeru Uehara, Honda committed to building the most potent and fastest sports car of that era from the HP-X. The company’s aim was clear from the get-go, and it was to build a sports car that’ll outperform the German and Italian cars of that era.

Therefore, the HP-X concept was further developed into a prototype known as the NS-X, an acronym for “New Sportscar eXperimental,” with the production version simply called NSX, and marketed as Acura NSX in North America. Notably, Honda started the production of the NSX in 1990, and the model was directly targeted and designed to outperform the V8 Ferrari range of that era. Over time, NSX has been produced in two awesome generations. Hence, focusing on the second-generation models, here are the attributes that endear us to the incredible Acura NSX.

8 Hybrid Electric Powertrain

2017 Acura NSX v
via: Reddit

A hybrid electric powertrain entails the combination of an electric propulsion system with the more conventional internal combustion engine system. This combination often results in an improved fuel economy as well as a generally superior performance in comparison to just the internal combustion engine alone.

2017 Acura NSX
via: Acura

Notably, the second-generation NSX is considerably different from the first due to its hybrid electric powertrain which is a twin-turbocharged 75-degree DOHC 4 valves per cylinder 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to a three electric motor Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system.

RELATED: These Are The Best 2000s Hybrid Cars To Buy Used

7 Engine Layout

NSX_Power_Unit_Layout
via: MyAutoWorld

The NSX’s powertrain is arranged in a longitudinal mid-engine layout. This arrangement simply places the NSX’s engine in between the front and the rear-wheel axles, a position that is often considered as the novel layout for automobiles. Notably, this position also has great benefits, as it ensures balanced traction between the front and rear wheels for ideal car handling.

2017 Acura NSX
via: Acura 

Also, the layout ensures more weight is exerted on the rear wheels rather than the front, thereby providing more traction while significantly reducing the chances of skidding.

6 AWD

NSX_Power_Unit_Layout
via: MyAutoWorld 

“AWD” isn’t a strange term to gearheads as it’s simply an acronym for all-wheel drive, which is a powertrain system capable of simultaneously supplying power to all the wheels on a car on a full-time basis or strictly on demand.

2017 Acura NSX
 via: Acura 

The advantages of an all-wheel-drive model of power distribution are numerous. Among them, an all-wheel-drive allows for firmer grip which helps the car get into motion even on slippery surfaces, and as a feature in the NSX, AWD is another reason to love the sports car.

5 Performance

2017 Acura NSX
 via: Acura

Notably, the NSX delivers amazing performance through its highly potent hybrid powertrain. The twin-turbocharged V6 engine generates a whopping 500 horsepower at about 7,500 rpm and 406 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 to 6,000 rpm.

2017 Acura NSX
Via: Acura
 

In synergy with the three electric motors and 9-speed dual-clutch transmission, the combined output from the hybrid electric powertrain is 573 horsepower and 476 lb-ft of torque. With this, the NSX goes from rest to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 191 mph.

RELATED: Acura NSX VS Nissan GT-R: Who Built the Better Sports Car

4 Handling

2017 Acura NSX
 via: Acura
 

With the amazing array of the exceptional setup of suspension, brakes, and tires on the NSX, the awesome sports car certainly had to deliver great handling. The NSX is fitted with an all-aluminum suspension setup with double-wishbone suspension in the front and a multi-link suspension in the rear.

2017 Acura NSX
via: SlashGear

For the brakes, the car features 6-piston front and 4-piston rear brakes along with monoblock calipers brake rotors, while carbon-ceramic brake rotors are optional. For an efficient road grip, the NSX is offered with Continental ContiSportContact tires.

3 Exterior Design

2017 Acura NSX
via: Pinterest

The NSX is undoubtedly one of the most gorgeous cars currently in production. The exterior has a space frame design, and it is built from ultra-high-strength steel, aluminum, and other exceptionally firm lightweight materials. The second-generation NSX took inspiration from the first-generation model for the design of the LED headlights, taillights, and turn signals.

2017 Acura NSX
via: Green Car

Cooling and downforce are also significantly improved on the modern NSX through an array of optional dry carbon fiber splitters, diffusers, including more than 10 radiators and several vents.

RELATED: A Look Back At The 2005 Acura NSX

2 Interior

2017 Acura NSX
via: Behance

The NSX is touted as an ideal daily driver due to the level of comfort on offer in the car’s cabin. Notably, Acura integrated several features like buttons, switchgear, and an infotainment system from Honda into the NSX. Also, Acura incorporated cupholders and interior storage cubbies into the car.

acura_nsx_2017_interior
via: HD Wallpaper

The dashboard is fitted with a 7.0-inch touchscreen that is fully integrated with standard features such as navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, an auxiliary input, two USB ports, eight-speaker audio, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

1 Body style

2017 Acura NSX
via: Hypebeast

Described as passenger cars with a sloping rear roofline, coupés have been around since as far back as the era of the horse-drawn carriage. The term originated from the French translation of “cut,” generally describing a car that has been shortened beyond the standard.

2017-acura-nsx
via: Flickr

The coupé body style is exceptionally beautiful, and it has gained wide adoption since the term evolved in the 1910s. Purists still wouldn’t consider the four-door variants as true coupés, and that’s another reason to love the NSX, as it leaves no room for controversy, having been built as a two-door coupé.