Performance Review: Honda NSX T 3.2 V6 - [1997]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Honda NSX Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Honda NSX T 3.2 V6 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1997. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1997 McLaren F1 GT 6.1 V12.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 1402 kgs (3090 lbs) this makes the Honda NSX T 3.2 V6 in the same weight category as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 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) @ 7100 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) @ 5500 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 2003 Bentley Continental GT 6.0 2d W12 (231.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Honda NSX.

The Honda NSX has a Power to weight ratio of 206.8 bhp per ton and 159.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1997 NSX competing with the 2003 Bentley Continental GT 6.0 2d W12 (231.4 bhp per ton) or the 1966 Ferrari 330 GTS (231.3 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 159.7 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 1974 Aston-Martin Lagonda Series 1 5.3L V8 (184.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo (184.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.2 secs, this made the Honda NSX T 3.2 V6 as fast as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 Turbo FL5 (5.00 secs) the or the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (5.00 secs). This Honda NSX T 3.2 V6 is also faster than the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 5.7 V8 370 (5.10 secs) the and the 2017 Audi A6 3.0T Competition (5.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the NSX and the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Honda NSX on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.83 secs @ 98.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo (13.77 secs), the 1971 Maserati Bora 4.7 V8 (13.78 secs), and the 2017 Audi A6 3.0T Competition (13.78 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1997 version of the Honda NSX T 3.2 V6 has a maximum speed of 168mph.

Top Speed of the 1997 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 1997 Honda NSX T 3.2 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:

1997 NSX Rivals List.

A Brief History of Honda

Car Comparison