Three years after its debut, Honda have announced the NSX supercar will be updated with a raft of chassis improvements and fresh design cues inside and out.
For the 2019 model, Honda engineers have modified chassis components, tyres and software tuning to make the NSX more responsive. As well as outright performance, Honda say the new tweaks will also enhance the supercar's abilities as a daily driver.
Chassis enhancements include larger front and rear stabiliser bars - increasing stiffness by 26 per cent at the front, 19 per cent at the rear - and 21 per cent stiffer rear toe-link bushings, while rear hub rigidity has increased by six per cent.
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At the limit these changes are set to improve the balance, playfulness and controllability of the NSX, allowing the driver to precisely modulate understeer and oversteer with the throttle, while software calibrations to the NSX’s complicated Sport Hybrid SH-AWD power unit, active dampers, electric power steering and stability control settings capitalise on this new hardware.
The 2019 NSX rides on new Continental SportContact tyres, developed exclusively for Honda’s hybrid supercar. The new tyres feature a revised tread pattern, construction and rubber compound for improved handling performance in all conditions. Honda say changes to the 2019 model resulted in a two second improvement during testing around the world famous Suzuka Circuit.
The 2019 NSX will still be powered by the same twin-turbocharged mid-mounted V6 engine paired with two electric drive motors in the front axle and 9-speed dual clutch transmission.
The front-mounted Twin Motor Unit continuously varies torque – positive and negative – to the left and right front wheels to enhance handling and cornering capabilities. Together, the the petrol and electric motors produce 427kW of power and 646Nm of torque.
The easiest styling change for 2019 is a new Thermal Orange Pearl exterior paint, which can also now be fitted to the carbon ceramic brakes.
2019 NSX models can also be spotted with a new body-colour front grille garnish and high-gloss front grille surround, front air intake mesh and rear bumper outlet mesh. High-gloss has also been applied to the carbon fibre rear spoiler, as well as the front lip spoiler, side skirt garnish and rear diffuser.
Inside the cabin, the 2019 NSX color palette is expanded with the addition of an optional Indigo blue semi-aniline leather and Alcantara theme.
While the Honda NSX is yet to officially launch in New Zealand, the 2019 NSX will be available for order in other markets next month with deliveries set to begin in early 2019. Each NSX is built one-by-one at Honda's Performance Manufacturing Centre in Ohio, U.S.
More than 1,900 second generation NSXs were sold globally in 2017 and 2018, over half of which were delivered in the U.S.
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