(From Acura Press Release) The intention in creating the Acura NSX,
first introduced for the 1991 model year, was to produce a hand-built,
exotic, mid-engine sports car that would establish entirely new levels
of prestige, performance, refinement, drivability and reliability. The
aluminum-bodied NSX defined a new interpretation of the exotic sports
car through state-of-the-art, lightweight technology.
The NSX-T model introduced during the
1995 model year, which featured a removable roof panel, broadened the
appeal of the NSX. It also succeeded in maintaining the extremely high
levels of performance and sophistication established by the NSX coupe.
Technological achievements included an optional Formula One-inspired
Sequential SportShift' automatic transmission with a unique steering
column-mounted electronic shifter; a drive-by-wire throttle system and
standard variable, electric power-assisted steering (EPS), a compact and
efficient system pioneered in the first-year NSX equipped with automatic
transmission.
The 1997 NSX/NSX-T took a giant step
forward in performance with several major enhancements - most notably a
larger, more powerful 3.2-liter, 290 hp, V-6 engine with a 6-speed
manual transmission. Other significant engineering updates included
larger brakes and an improved Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), refinement
to the electric power steering system, application of new aluminum
alloys for lighter-weight, high-rigidity body panels, adoption of
special heat-reflecting window glass and an anti-theft vehicle
immobilizer feature.
Beginning in 2002, all NSXs feature a
removable aluminum roof panel that can be easily stowed under the rear
glass hatch. Also, in 2002, the NSX received a variety of styling
enhancements to modernize the car's looks and refinements to the chassis
to ensure its competitiveness as a world class sports car. The front
fascia of the NSX was updated with a higher hood, and a redesigned front
bumper and spoiler. The front headlights changed from pop-up halogen
units to fixed position Xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps.
Other external styling refinements for 2002 included new mesh side air
intakes, a trunk lip spoiler, more aggressive exhaust tips and a
redesigned taillight configuration. Chassis refinements included a
larger diameter rear stabilizer bar, firmer front springs and bigger
wheels and tires to enhance the car's dynamic handling characteristics.
The enhancements together combined to reduce the car's coefficient of
drag from 0.32 to 0.30 and raise the top speed from 168 to 175 mph.
