Performance Review: Honda NSX R 3.0 V6 - [1995]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Honda NSX Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Honda NSX R 3.0 V6 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1995. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1996 Ferrari F50 GT1 4.7l V12 and the 1995 McLaren F1 LM 6.1 V12.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 1230 kgs (2711 lbs) this makes the Honda NSX R 3.0 V6 in the same weight category as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line 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 2977cc 16V V6 engine produces 276 bhp (205 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 217 lb-ft (294.2 Nm) @ 5400 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 2014 Porsche Boxster GTS (249.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Honda NSX.

The Honda NSX has a Power to weight ratio of 224.3 bhp per ton and 176.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1995 NSX competing with the 2014 Porsche Boxster GTS (249.0 bhp per ton) or the 1995 Caterham Super 7 1.6 16v (249.0 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 176.4 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 2000 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI GSR (201.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2000 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI Tommi Makinen (201.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.0 secs, this made the Honda NSX R 3.0 V6 as fast as the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (4.80 secs) the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (4.80 secs) the 2018 Rolls-Royce Cullinan 6.7 V12 Turbo (4.80 secs) the or the 2017 Maserati GranCabrio Sport 4.7 V8 (4.80 secs). This Honda NSX R 3.0 V6 is also faster than the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.90 secs) the and the 2020 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Touring (4.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the NSX and the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS 2.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Honda NSX on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.49 secs @ 101.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS 2.0 Turbo (13.43 secs), the 1999 Audi A6 S6 4.2 Quattro (13.44 secs), and the 2008 Mercedes SLK Class 350 Auto (13.45 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1995 version of the Honda NSX R 3.0 V6 has a maximum speed of 163mph.

Top Speed of the 1995 NSX equals the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo (174 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1995 Honda NSX R 3.0 V6 then how about the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo (174 mph), the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 3.5 V6 (174 mph), or the 2020 Lotus Exige Cup 430 3.5 V6 (174 mph).

Related Links:

1995 NSX Rivals List.

A Brief History of Honda

Car Comparison