A super speedy Acura NSX, seen at a car repair shop in Shunyi District in Beijing in 2016. The good Acura was in a good overall condition but it looked a bit dirty and a bit tired, like it had been ignored for a time too long. Happily, mechanics were working on the car while I was there, so I guess it came back on the road again.
The Honda/Acura NSX was manufactured from 1990 until 2005 with a facelift in 2002, this is a pre-facelifted car with the original pop-up headlamps. It was never sold in China but some arrived via the gray market and other misty channels.
The NSX was only sold as ‘Acura’ in North America so we assume our red car was originally sold up there. It is only the third we see on Chinese shores, earlier on we met a yellow NSX in Beijing and another yellow car down south in Heyuan.
The interior too was fine overall but in dire need of a good cleanup, the color of some of the plastics was fading. Sporty Acura steering wheel is original. The design of the dash, or so Honda says, was inspired by the F-16 fighter jet. Marketing speak, we think…
The center tunnel with the ‘NSX DOHC VTEC’ badge, referring to the 3.0 liter ‘CA30A’ V6, which was equipped with Honda’s Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (that’s VTEC) system. DOHC stands for Dual-OverHead Camshaft, meaning that each bank of cylinders has two camshafts controlling the valves. This is not a exclusive Honda system, but the Japanese were very good with it. The engine had an output of with 270hp and 280nm, it was mated to a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual, like in this car. Power went to the rear wheels only.
The endlessly long rear deck is the weakest point of the NSX’ design. Happily, the racy wing manages to distract the eye, somewhat. Air intakes just behind the doors to cool the high-revving engine, which went all the way to 8000 rpm!
Acura five spoke alloys are factory original.
The NSX badge on the B-pillar.
The front compartment. The spare wheel is normally located in the middle, surrounded by the radiator, brake reservoirs, the ABS pump, and underneath by the battery.
Rear light unit stretched over the entire width. Weird tail pipes are original. The license plate area is too small for a Chinese plate, a typical sign of a non-officially imported car. Mostly, car owners put a small frame on the license plate area, and the Chinese plate atop that frame. This is how it was done on the Acura too.
Key hole hidden inside the circle on the right side of the ACURA lettering.
A great Japanese super car in Beijing, arrived here via North America. Hopefully she is still around somewhere.