Tech & Auto
The Real Meaning Behind Acura’s NSX Acronym
By ALEX HEVESY
First debuting in 1991, the Acura/Honda NSX showed that high-end sports cars didn't have to be unreliable. Down to the very name, the NSX tried to set itself apart from other cars.
The name is an acronym that points to the fact that the NSX is destined to be a groundbreaker. It stands for "New Sports car, Experimental."
Honda delivered on these claims; the car was new by almost every stretch. Honda didn’t often make cars that punched above their weight class, much less ones made out of aluminum.
There was also no doubt the car was experimental. The NSX was mid-engine and wasn't gunning to beat more "pedestrian" brands — it was aimed squarely at Ferrari and Lamborghini.