In its first year, the second-generation Honda NSX sold 126 units across Europe, by 2019 sales declined to just 36 units. The NSX is much more successful in America, selling over 238 vehicles for the whole of 2019. In comparison, Porsche sold 10,000 911’s in the US during 2019 and 16,000 in Europe during the same period. And yet the NSX name is as legendary as it gets. The original NSX was released at the peak of Honda’s Formula 1 success with McLaren F1, Aryton Senna promoted it and did some development work.

And yet the NSX hasn’t been flying off the shelves. The Coronavirus pandemic of 2020 was a sure-fire way to quietly end Honda’s supercar renaissance once and for all. But according to leaked documents emanating from Honda dealerships in the USA the NSX ergo Acura NSX will be around for another 2 years at least. That’s another two years of loss-making humiliation.

The second-generation NSX was nearly 10 years in the making. It is powered by a 3.5L twin-turbocharged V6 and produces 500 bhp (373 kW; 507 PS). The engine is mated to a 9-speed dual-clutch transmission and a three electric motor Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system and.

The total system output is 573 bhp, and zaps the NSX from 0 to 60 mph 62 mph in 2.9 seconds, and has a top speed of 191 mph. It looks like a supercar and goes like a supercar and it has the engineering pedigree and history. But it doesn’t sell in enough numbers to justify existing. 

For Honda, the NSX is a financial anomaly, it costs over £147,000 in the UK, $157,000 USD, so why do they continue to make it at all? It’s much to do with pride. The Japanese corporate culture is very much based on honor and a warrior-like fighting spirit. I know, I have worked for Japanese company’s… in a past more lucrative life.

The simple fact is Honda does not want to admit failure and the NSX exists, not as a vanity project, but as a demonstration of engineering prowess. The NSX is just as well-engineered as a Porsche 911, but the 911 will always be first on the list of the supercar to-do list of priorities.

Think of the NSX as a marketing platform for Honda to showcase what they can do. Supercars by definition are an expression of engineering taken to the limits of current technology. And for Honda, the NSX is pride over a sensible business case as much as the Honda Jazz is a pure undiluted business model.

In effect, the NSX is being subsidised by Honda’s high volume sales, which amounts to 4.8 million vehicle sales per year across all models.