Acura NSX

The Acura NSX was a sports car originally produced from 1990 to 2005.

History
The NSX was designed to give Honda/Acura a technology and image leader. It featured a very advanced, mid-mounted 270-hp VTEC dohc V6. Other high-tech buzzwords included ABS, traction control, and aluminum chassis, body and suspension. The original idea was to provide Ferrari-like performance at Porsche prices. Its main competitors were the Porsche 911, Corvette ZR-1 and (on price, but not performance) the Mercedes-Benz SL320 convertible.

Over the years of its production, the only major changes have been price (up), color (more), the wheel/tire package (larger, lower profile), and the addition of an automatic transmission. About 5000 have been sold since 1994. However, it was clear from news stories about angry NSX owners, complaining that the very high-performance tires wore out too quickly, that many buyers were unclear about the strengths and weaknesses of ultra-exotic sports cars. Those buyers would probably have been happier with more luxury and less temperament.

1995
The 1995 NSX went on sale beginning on Jan. 1, 1995. Acura has declined to offer any official description, but "new technology" has been promised along with "two variations." An open-roof NSX was assumed for the first time, perhaps more displacement to increase torque, and a fashionable 6-speed transaxle.

No one has ever offered a Formula One race car-style semi-automatic transmission, adaptive (not active) suspension, carbon fiber or other advanced composites in a genuine production car.