Performance Review: Honda NSX R 3.2 V6 - [2002]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Honda NSX Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Honda NSX R 3.2 V6 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2002. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12 and the 2002 Pagani Zonda C12 S 7.3.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 1270 kgs (2799 lbs) this makes the Honda NSX R 3.2 V6 in the same weight category as the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo 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 290 bhp (216 kW) @ 7300 rpm similar to the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 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 1982 Lamborghini Countach LP500S (253.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Honda NSX.

The Honda NSX has a Power to weight ratio of 228.3 bhp per ton and 176.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2002 NSX competing with the 1982 Lamborghini Countach LP500S (253.3 bhp per ton) or the 2005 Ford Mustang Cobra GT500 (253.0 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 176.3 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 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (201.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 991 (201.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.8 secs, this made the Honda NSX R 3.2 V6 as fast as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i 3.0 Cabrio Turbo F23 (4.60 secs) the or the 2020 Audi A3 S3 Saloon (4.60 secs). This Honda NSX R 3.2 V6 is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 (4.70 secs) the 2020 BMW X4 M40d 3.0 Turbo (4.70 secs) the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo AWD (4.70 secs) the and the 2020 KIA Stinger GT2 3.3 V6 Turbo (4.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the NSX and the 1994 Toyota Celica GT Four ST205

When talking about the performance of the Honda NSX on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.4 secs @ 102.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1994 Toyota Celica GT Four ST205 (13.34 secs), the 2017 BMW 2 Series M240i (13.34 secs), and the 1969 Ford Torino 1st Gen Cobra Hardtop Ram Air (13.35 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2002 version of the Honda NSX R 3.2 V6 has a maximum speed of 165mph.

Top Speed of the 2002 NSX equals the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio 2.9 V6 Bi Turbo (176 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2002 Honda NSX R 3.2 V6 then how about the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio 2.9 V6 Bi Turbo (176 mph), the 2018 Jaguar F-Pace SVR 5.0 V8 Supercharged (176 mph), or the 2015 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S 4.8 V8 (176 mph).

Related Links:

2002 NSX Rivals List.

A Brief History of Honda

Car Comparison