Performance Review: Honda NSX 3.2 V6 - [1998]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Honda NSX Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Honda NSX 3.2 V6 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1998. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the and the .This particular Honda NSX has a 3179cc 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 1410 kgs (3108 lbs) this makes the Honda NSX 3.2 V6 in the same weight category as the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

The Honda NSX shares the same bhp with the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 3179cc 24V V6 engine produces 279 bhp (208 kW) @ 7300 rpm similar to the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 224 lb-ft (303.7 Nm) @ 5300 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 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 158.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1998 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 158.8 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 1985 Mercedes SL Class 500SL V8 R107 (183.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1992 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo I RS (183.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.7 secs, this made the Honda NSX 3.2 V6 as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (5.50 secs) the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon SC Cupra 300 (5.50 secs) the or the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (5.50 secs). This Honda NSX 3.2 V6 is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T AWD (5.60 secs) the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (5.60 secs) the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (5.60 secs) the and the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (5.60 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 14.04 secs @ 97.5 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 1998 version of the Honda NSX 3.2 V6 has a maximum speed of 170mph.

Top Speed of the 1998 NSX equals the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (181 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1998 Honda NSX 3.2 V6 then how about the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (181 mph), the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (181 mph), or the 2019 Aston-Martin DBX 4.0 V8 Turbo (181 mph).

Related Links:

1998 NSX Rivals List.

A Brief History of Honda

Car Comparison