Performance Review: Honda NSX 3.0 V6 - [1990]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Honda NSX Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Honda NSX 3.0 V6 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1990. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1991 Jaguar XJ R-15 6.0 V12 and the 1991 Jaguar XJ 220.This particular Honda NSX has a 2977cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The NSX shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the NSX's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1365 kgs (3009 lbs) this makes the Honda NSX 3.0 V6 in the same weight category as the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 or the give or take 50kg.

The Honda NSX shares the same bhp with the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp)

In terms of power the 2977cc 24V V6 engine produces 270 bhp (201 kW) @ 7300 rpm similar to the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp) or the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (290 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 210 lb-ft (284.7 Nm) @ 6500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft) or the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (221 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Honda NSX you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2019 Audi Q3 RS Sportback 2.5 Turbo (222.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Honda NSX.

The Honda NSX has a Power to weight ratio of 197.8 bhp per ton and 153.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1990 NSX competing with the 2019 Audi Q3 RS Sportback 2.5 Turbo (222.5 bhp per ton) or the 2015 Peugeot 308 GTi 1.6 Turbo 272 (222.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Honda NSX generating around 153.8 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1978 Ford Mustang 2 King Cobra (178.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1966 Ferrari 365 California 4.4 V12 (178.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.9 secs, this made the Honda NSX 3.0 V6 as fast as the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.70 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (5.70 secs) the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi 2.0 Turbo Clubsport (5.70 secs) the or the 2014 Seat Leon Cupra 280 (5.70 secs). This Honda NSX 3.0 V6 is also faster than the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 (5.80 secs) the and the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (5.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the NSX and the 1992 BMW 8 Series 850 CSi 5.6 V12 E31

When talking about the performance of the Honda NSX on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.05 secs @ 97.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1992 BMW 8 Series 850 CSi 5.6 V12 E31 (14.00 secs), the 2014 Bentley Mulsanne Speed 6.8 V8 Turbo (14.00 secs), and the 2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (14.01 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1990 version of the Honda NSX 3.0 V6 has a maximum speed of 168mph.

Top Speed of the 1990 NSX equals the 2020 Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 PDK 982 (179 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1990 Honda NSX 3.0 V6 then how about the 2020 Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 PDK 982 (179 mph), the 2017 Maserati GranCabrio Sport 4.7 V8 (179 mph), or the 2017 Maserati Quattroporte S Q4 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo (179 mph).

Related Links:

1990 NSX Rivals List.

A Brief History of Honda

Car Comparison