Pininfarina Revives the Original NSX in a Manner That Honda Would Not | Carscoops

      Pininfarina and JAS Motorsport have reinterpreted Honda's NA1 NSX sports car, unveiling their project named Tensei, which translates to “rebirth” in Japanese.

      The updated model features a new carbon fiber body while keeping the original pop-up headlights and a tuned Honda V6 engine. A six-speed manual version will be fully revealed in the first half of 2026.

      Following an initial series of shadowy teasers, clearer images have been released, confirming the car's name and showcasing its design. A private reveal took place at Fuji Speedway for select customers, suggesting that orders may now be accepted.

      In 1984, Honda and Pininfarina collaborated to produce the HP-X, a mid-engine sports car that eventually transformed into the revolutionary NSX. Now, over 40 years later, Pininfarina, along with JAS Motorsport from Italy, is offering a fresh take on the Honda/Acura NSX, and we have the first images.

      The initial teaser pictures present a design that maintains the essence of the original NSX while updating some outdated features and adding new flair. The black canopy, pop-up headlights, hoop rear spoiler, and basic rear light signature remain intact.

      However, upon closer inspection, many modifications become evident. The new carbon fiber bodywork is more muscular and includes vents behind the enlarged front fenders. The rear-quarter panel intakes have been enlarged, and a vent has been added to the front hood, reminiscent of the powerful first-generation (NA2) NSX-R.

      One of the most significant updates is the enhanced stance of the vehicle. The original NSX had a narrow rear track and an oddly long rear overhang; though the full shape and proportions are not entirely clear from the teaser images, this new version appears to address those issues effectively.

      Notably, it features JAS branding instead of Honda, which should satisfy Honda's legal team. Pininfarina has not revealed the interior of the car, but has indicated that it is designed primarily for the road rather than as a stripped-down track version, possibly hinting at a future model in that vein.

      The car will house a tuned iteration of Honda's V6 engine, expected to exceed the 270 hp (274 PS) claimed for the original 3.0-liter version released in 1990. It will be offered with a six-speed manual transmission and available in both left- and right-hand drive, though production numbers and pricing details remain unannounced.

      More information is likely to emerge in the upcoming months, as Pininfarina anticipates a global unveiling in the first half of 2026. Next year is shaping up to be exciting for NSX enthusiasts, especially since Italdesign, a competitor of Pininfarina, has recently begun teasing its own reinterpretation of the NSX, which features an NSX-R GT-style roof snorkel.