Italdesign’s Newest Project Is A New Honda NSX Made To Look Like An Old Honda NSX, With Questionable Results

The second-generation Honda/Acura NSX never really got the love it deserved. Was it as iconic or thrilling as the original? No. But it was still an excellent supercar with good looks and a very advanced (for the time) hybrid system that made it incredibly quick.

While the original NSX continues to maintain its icon status, with values for used examples rising by the day, it feels like the second-gen model has faded from the spotlight. But thanks to a new project from Italian design firm Italdesign, it’s being thrust back into the conversation.

Officially dubbed the Honda NSX Tribute by Italdesign, this new project is the latest in a growing trend of “few-offs,” a growing trend of ultra-limited models released by niche or high-end brands. It’s based on the second-generation NSX, meant to celebrate of trio of recent anniversaries for milestones achieved by Honda: 60 years since Honda won its first F1 race, 35 years since the NSX debuted in Chicago, and 30 years since the NSX took a class win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

As for whether the Italdesign version looks better than the plain-jane hybrid NSX, well, I’m not so sure.

From Some Angles Yes, From Others…

At first glance, you might not even be able to tell this tribute is based on the most recent NSX variant, at least from the rear. The back end has been totally redone with new panels and a fixed rear wing. That singular taillight, which travels from the central part of the upper bumper, through the uprights, and into the spoiler, is called a “floating ring.” It’s meant as a callback to the original car’s rear end, though to me, it doesn’t quite get there. It’s more interesting to look at than a standard second-gen NSX, at least.

Up front is where things might get confusing for some. The video above shows that the headlights from the second-gen NSX are a full carry-over, meaning from head-on, the Italdesign car doesn’t look much different at all, despite the new bumper and the red H badge (a tribute to the original NSX-R, which also had a red badge).

In pictures, the main portion of the headlight is covered, which greatly changes the look. Here’s how Italdesign explains it:

At the front, the headlamp clusters are set in a glossy black fairing that emphasizes the car’s ‘gaze,’ creating contrast with the surrounding surfaces, adding depth and reinforcing the perception of precision and sportiness. The eyelids replace the pop-up solution of the first generation and are treated stylistically with a contemporary language.

If you watch closely in the video (at around the 0:13 mark), you can see that the covers actually retract up and into the hood area, which is pretty cool. An Italdesign rep told me this happens automatically when the vehicle is switched on. Not as cool as proper popups, but cool nonetheless.

From the side, you can really see how Italdesign really leaned into the black-and-white two-tone scheme made famous on the original NSX. The side skirts, the lower diffuser area, the side blades on the front fenders, and the roof are all glossy black. The wheels are black, too, but they’re accented by some red on the center caps and the rubber. The big roof scoop might disrupt the car’s general design flow, but I like it. Not only is it a nice tribute to the NSX-R GT, but roof scoops are just cool.

The Inside Is Barely Different

Reconfiguring the interior of a car as modern as the second-generation NSX would take lots of time, money, and expertise. Italdesign, being a relatively small entity, probably didn’t have to resources to make the tribute car’s cabin look like the original’s, which is totally understandable. Layout-wise, it’s virtually unchanged, with a centrally located mode knob and shifter buttons under the touchscreen.

One thing to note if you, dear reader, are considering purchasing a Honda NSX Tribute by Italdesign: This was the era of Honda where it tried to eliminate volume knobs. The one thing that drove me crazy about driving the second-gen NSX was that the volume was controlled via a touch-capactive panel to the left of the screen. Sadly, that panel seems to have survived through Italdesign’s transformation. Just something to think about before you buy.

Otherwise, the interior looks to be a nice place to spend time. The original trim has been removed for new material with contrast stitching everywhere. Also note the “NSX Tribute by Italdesign” badge stickered to the passenger-side dashboard panel.

Italdesign hasn’t released many details about the tribute’s powertrain, though it’s safe to assume the car has retained its trick hybrid powertrain, which employs a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 and three electric motors—one between the engine and the dual-clutch transmission, and one for each front wheel. Whether it’ll make the same total 573 horsepower and 476 pound-feet of torque is unclear.

The firm also hasn’t released any details on production numbers, delivery dates, or pricing. Used second-gen NSXs are hovering around $120,000 at the low end, so figure you’ll need to front at least that much to get the ball rolling. Also, Italdesign is only building these things in right-hand drive configuration, which might make it a bit more difficult for U.S. buyers to get their hands on one. If Italdesign were really dedicated to its North American buyers, it’d take a U.S.-market Acura NSXs and convert them to right-hand drive, just to commit to the design.

Top graphic image: Italdesign, Honda