Acura

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

Honda Announces US Heritage Parts Program With Parts For First-Gen NSX

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 10, 2026

Honda Is Reproducing Parts For The First-Gen NSX

Between Honda and Acura, quite a few performance and sports cars have come from the two brands over the years that have made their mark on automotive history. The most noteworthy of them is the NSX. A supercar meant to tackle contemporary Ferraris, the Honda/Acura NSX was one of the first cars to feature VTEC, which was just one part of the painstaking engineering and design behind the car, which included the development input of late racing legend Ayrton Senna. Introduced in 1990, the NSX’s first generation and facelift would go on to be produced for a long 15 years until it was discontinued in 2005. The legendary supercar was revered and celebrated for that entire duration as a flagship that represented the pinnacle of performance for Honda and Acura, and many of its innovations became inspirations, not only for a second hybrid generation of the NSX, but also for future Honda and Acura performance models. That’s what makes the NSX the perfect subject for the new Honda Heritage Parts program, which is launching in the United States. Its inaugural offering is the reproduction and redevelopment of parts for the first-generation NSX, and those parts will be integral in preserving the incredible history and legacy of one of the most cherished models to come from the manufacturer. <- Gallery -> Honda Heritage Parts is one part of the greater Honda Heritage Works. Launching in Japan on April 1, the other arm of the program is Honda Restoration Service. Honda Heritage Parts will also provide two categories of parts: Honda Compatible Parts, which are newly redeveloped, and Genuine Honda Reproduction Parts, which are reproduced using the same methods and materials as the originals. Owners of the first-generation Acura NSX will be able to order Honda Heritage Parts for their car at US Acura dealerships starting this summer, and future Honda and Acura performance models are being considered to be part of the service. Image Source: Acura

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 19, 2023

10 Legendary Acura NSX Supercars For Sale

Racing roots plus innovation equals legend status. Whether you’re discussing the original generation or its hybrid sequel, the Acura NSX is an incredible supercar with a venerated legacy. It had its origins as a Ferrari competitor with development involving late racing legend Ayrton Senna, and featured a mid-engined V6 with groundbreaking technology and impeccable engineering and driving character, and generations later remained respected as one of the greatest Japanese supercars, and one of the greatest supercars ever. After being discontinued in 2005, the Acura NSX returned in the 2010s as a hybrid supercar, this time with all-wheel drive and futuristic technology. Its increased power and innovation brought it right back to the forefront of the supercar world, continuing to build its iconic legacy, and as the modern reiteration of the NSX has been discontinued itself, the NSX is a piece of automotive history to be cherished for generations, and if you want to own one, now is the time to act. Is the Honda NSX the same car as the Acura NSX? Yes. In markets where Honda’s Acura brand wasn’t present but the NSX was, the NSX was marketed as the Honda NSX, most notably in its home country of Japan. Due to the 25 Year Rule for importing cars, special models like the Honda NSX-R are arriving stateside, at long last. When were the generations of the Acura NSX? The first generation of the Acura NSX arrived in 1990, and was discontinued in 2005. After over a decade of absence, the second generation of the NSX arrived in 2016, and was sent off in 2022 after a limited-edition NSX Type-S. The first generation had two versions: the earlier NA1, and the NA2, introduced in 1997. The biggest difference between the two is the engine going from 3.0 liters in the NA1 to 3.2 liters in the NA2. In 2002, the iconic and nostalgic pop-up headlights were swapped for fixed units. The second generation’s engine was 3.5 liters, twin-turbocharged, and assisted by electric motors. What is the difference between the Acura NSX and the Acura NSX Type-S? The Type-S was the second-generation NSX’s send-off, limited to 350 units worldwide. Power was increased to 602 horsepower, the transmission shifted faster, the downforce was improved, and it was able to get from 0-60 in just 2.9 seconds. For the NSX enthusiast, the Type-S was an ode to just how legendary of a supercar it is. What is the NSX-R? Introduced in 1992, the NSX-R, made for Japan, was a version of the NSX made for purer performance than the daily-driving capable standard NSX. It featured weight savings, racing seats, and tuning. What is the NSX-T? The NSX-T in 1995 introduced a removable targa-top body style to the NSX. In North America, it soon became the only body style available for the NSX, while other markets offered both body styles. What is the first generation NSX Type-S? Exclusive to Japan, the first-generation NSX Type-S was a spec tuned for winding roads and driver-focused character. With lightweight wheels, bucket seats, and stiffer suspension, it’s made to evoke driver’s car joy. View All Acura NSXs For Sale 2005 Acura NSX View Listing 1997 Acura NSX View Listing 2005 Acura NSX View Listing 1992 Acura NSX View Listing 1996 Honda NSX-R View Listing 2022 Acura NSX Type-S View Listing 2022 Acura NSX Type-S View Listing 2020 Acura NSX View Listing 2017 Acura NSX View Listing 2017 Acura NSX View Listing

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 08, 2023

Acura Brings "One And a Half" NSXs To One Lap Of America

The rear half of an Acura NSX becomes one of the best-looking trailers ever made.

By Gabriel Vega – March 11, 2023

This Acura NSX Spent 15 Years Underwater, Now It's Gettin...

Its new owner purchased it for $8,500 just a few days ago.

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 25, 2023

This Man Bought A $29K, 400K-Mile 1995 Acura NSX

This supercar has a story to tell. It’s just about unheard-of to find an Acura NSX for a price anywhere near as low as $29,000, but this lucky new owner of a 1995 Acura NSX, YouTuber PogiCars, managed to find one through Facebook Marketplace, but there is, of course, a twist. This particular NSX, while a well-maintained example, has traveled an incredible 400,000 miles. Owned formerly by a retired architect, its use for a daily commute to Los Angeles made for an average usage of 25,000 miles per year, and after 13 years of ownership, this car covered over 325,000 miles in the care of the architect, which is incredible for any car, but just about unfathomable for a classic and revered supercar like the NSX. MUST READ: The Final Acura NSX Type S Rolls Off The Assembly Line While there is some damage from minor collisions, the car has been incredibly well-maintained, and features beautiful paintwork, leather interior, and aftermarket BBS wheels. The owner plans on making it a project car, and has already sought out modifications to install, promising future content on this unusual find. Regardless of the minor damage that the vehicle has incurred, the NSX still shines as one of the automotive world’s greatest masterpieces, and finding one at an unprecedented bargain price of $29,000 is special, and the high mileage is truly something to marvel at, especially in the supercar world. View All Acura NSXs For Sale Source: YouTube/PogiCars

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 17, 2022

The Final Acura NSX Type S Rolls Off The Assembly Line

It’s time to say goodbye to a legend… again. Few supercars, let alone cars in general, can match the splendor of the Acura NSX. For decades, the name was synonymous with an engineering marvel and a masterclass in automotive performance, which is what made the beloved car so hard to let go of nearly 20 years ago. When it came back, ti came back even better, with hybrid power, all-wheel drive, and daringly modern looks. However, it’s, unfortunately, time to wave the Acura NSX goodbye yet again, as Acura’s Performance Manufacturing Center has seen the very last example of the car come off the assembly line. MUST READ: The Best 90’s Cars You Can Buy Today The final car is an Acura NSX Type S, meant to be the final version of the car, finished in Gotham Gray matte paint and serialized number 350 out of the 350 examples of the NSX Type S to be made. However, not all is lost, because Acura's TLX sports sedan will carry the NSX’s torch, as the Marysville, Ohio PMC facility has begun work on the limited run of the 2023 Acura TLX Type S PMC Edition. The sedan will be brought out in NSX colors like Curva Red, 130R White, and Long Beach Blue. The first two colors have already been fully reserved, while reservations for Long Beach Blue come available starting December 8. Only 100 examples will be made in each color, for a total of 300 cars. With the bittersweet farewell to Acura’s legendary pinnacle of performance, it’s time to look forward to seeing what the performance luxury brand will bring out next. View All Acura NSXs For Sale Source: Acura

By Edward Jones – September 29, 2021

Watch the Acura NSX Type S Set a New Long Beach Productio...

The new Acura NSX Type S has proved its worth. While fans were excited to see the Grand Prix of Long Beach return after a cancelation in 2020 due to the pandemic. But while they were there to see the race cars, there was one production car making history on the track. Ricky Taylor, an IMSA prototype series champion and driver of the #10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-05 for Wayne Taylor Racing, took a Long Beach Blue Pearl a new NSX Type S around the course and managed to set a new lap record. Taylor managed to be out the previous record of 1:35.663 that was set by Peter Cunningham in a 2019 NSX. You can check out the record lap up above. "Long Beach is such a fun track, but definitely challenging with so little margin for error," said Ricky Taylor after the record-setting run. "Thankfully, the new Acura NSX Type S is not only crazy fast, it's also remarkably easy to control at the limit. It's a very special car and perfectly suited for a track like this." See Acura NSXs For Sale Source: Acura Source: Acura

By Edward Jones – September 23, 2021

2022 Acura NSX Type S Looks Magnificent in Motul Livery

This needs to be done in real life. To celebrate Motul's 50th anniversary of its 300V racing oil at the 2021 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the French oil company created a digital livery for the new Acura NSX Type S. During the event, Motul will also be debuting its new 300V formula on the track as well. As for the livery, it features graphics that were inspired by Motul race cars from the past and it looks phenomenal. Joining the livery are brushed gold HRE Vintage FMR 527M 2-piece wheels that match the "50" graphics on either side. Unfortunately, this is simply a digital livery but I hope that one day this will become a reality because it looks amazing. See All Acura NSXs For Sale Source: Motul

By Edward Jones – August 12, 2021

The 2022 Acura NSX Type S is the Most Powerful NSX Ever

Faster and quicker than ever before. The new 2022 Acura NSX Type S has been revealed and it's a true treat for the automotive world. While it may be the last year for the second-generation NSX, it will at least be sunsetting with an incredible edition. Acura revealed the new NSX Type S at Monterey Car Week where thousands of automotive enthusiasts are enjoying the Californian sun and an incredible display of automotive excellence. The new NSX Type S has more power and quickness than before thanks to a list of powertrain upgrades. These upgrades include turbochargers shared with the NSX GT3 Evo race car and a retuned 9-speed automatic transmission. Power has been increased to 600 horsepower (+27 hp) and 492 lb-ft of torque (+16 lb-ft). Acura has also increased its battery capacity by 20 percent, as well as its battery output by 10 percent. Other upgrades for the NSX Type S include the new split 5-spoke wheels that are have increased track in the front and back, new Pirelli P-Zero tires designed specifically for the new model, a new exterior design that provides better cooling than before, new aerodynamics package that includes an NSX GT3-inspired rear diffuser, carbon fiber roof and more. Acura will also be offering the 2022 NSX Type S in the new Gotham Grey matte metallic paint, but it's limited to just 70 of the total 350 examples in the worldwide production run (300 are destined for the U.S.). While this is a lot, Acura is also offering an available Lightweight Package that includes carbon ceramic brakes, a carbon engine cover, and carbon interior trim. This package will drop the weight of the NSX Type S by around 57.8 lbs. Just 300 examples of the new 2022 Acura NSX Type S will be coming to the U.S. The base NSX Type S will have a starting price of $169,500 while the supercar with the Lightweight Package comes to a starting price of $182,500. See NSXs For Sale

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 04, 2021

First Acura NSX Type S Will Be Auctioned For Charity Duri...

Acura donating all proceeds from auction to charity, including the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) to support STEAM youth education across the U.S. The Acura NSX plays a key role in supercar history ever-since its first release in November 1990 as a Honda chassis. Acura today announced that it will auction off the very first serial production 2022 NSX Type S during Monterey Car Week. The first NSX Type S ever available outside of Japan, VIN #001, will be sold to the highest bidder at Mecum Auction’s Monterey, California event, on Aug. 14. All proceeds from the sale of the exclusive supercar will benefit charity, including an innovative STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) education program for underserved youth nationwide in partnership with the Center of Science and Industry (COSI). By auctioning the NSX Type S, Acura and COSI will provide more than 20,000 award-winning COSI Learning Lunchbox STEAM Kits which are delivered alongside community organizations to help feed hungry minds and lives for at-risk and in-need students across the country. Targeted at kindergarten through 8th grade, COSI Leaning Lunchboxes are STEAM learning kits filled with educational activities and resources for engaging children and families through experiences in science. Check back in for the results of the 2022 Acura NSX Type-S auction at Mecum’s Monterey event. View all Acura NSX models for sale through duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Acura NSX For Sale

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