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3 Minutes
Italdesign honors the NSX with a limited‑run Tribute
Thirty‑five years after Honda introduced the original NSX, Italdesign has unveiled the NSX Tribute — a limited, coachbuilt homage that blends classic cues with modern engineering. Revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show 2026 and created with Honda’s blessing, the Tribute is aimed squarely at affluent collectors who want a piece of Japanese supercar history reimagined for today.
Design: old soul, new bones
From the front, the Tribute clearly sits on the bones of the second‑generation NSX, but Italdesign’s sculpting transforms the silhouette into something evocative of the 1990s icon. The rear, however, is an explicit nod to the first‑gen: a continuous LED light bar integrated into the wing reconstructs the legendary taillight shape in a contemporary way. At the front, a redesigned engine cover hints at Honda’s emblem, while movable eyelids over LED headlights recreate the spirit of the original pop‑ups within modern safety rules.
Distinctive touches include:
- Red Honda badges, echoing the NSX‑R heritage
- Roof air scoop inspired by the rare NSX‑R GT
- 19‑inch front and 20‑inch rear wheels wrapped in high‑performance Yokohama rubber
Interior: race‑inspired, refined
Inside, Alcantara and exposed carbon fiber create a cockpit that feels both track‑ready and bespoke. The passenger side bears the inscription “NSX Tribute by Italdesign,” and there are emotional nods to motorsport fans: Ayrton Senna’s race number 12 is embroidered as a tribute to his role in the original NSX’s development. Customers can choose contrasting yellow stitching, full brown trim, or classic black, gray, and white palettes that reflect NSX‑R roots.
Performance and mechanicals
Italdesign deliberately left the powertrain unchanged. The heart of the Tribute remains Honda’s hybrid layout — a twin‑turbo V6 paired with three electric motors — the same system found in the Type S, producing roughly 600 horsepower in that specification. In short: a visual rebirth, but the proven hybrid V6 architecture and handling balance of the modern NSX remain intact.
Market positioning and outlook
This is not a mass‑market restomod. Italdesign plans a very small production run, positioning the NSX Tribute as a collectible for enthusiasts and investors. By combining nostalgia, lightweight materials, and bespoke detailing, the project taps into the growing market for limited‑series coachbuilt supercars.
Highlights:
- A sympathetic reinterpretation of a Japanese supercar classic
- Modern safety and performance retained beneath a retro‑inspired body
- Strong appeal to collectors and fans of NSX‑R history
"Italdesign’s NSX Tribute is a love letter to the NSX family," one design insider commented, "— respectful to the past while celebrating the engineering of today." For anyone who follows Honda NSX history, this Tribute offers a tasteful, collectible bridge between eras.
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