The Honda NSX is getting a second life, and this time it comes with Honda’s blessing.
Who Built It and Why
Milan-based JAS, which has run Honda’s works race programs for three decades including the Civic in WTCC and BTCC, has unveiled its take on the legendary NSX. It’s called the Tensei, Japanese for reincarnation, and it’s not a tribute build or a tuner special. It’s a ground-up restomod that starts with a donor NSX shell and rebuilds almost everything underneath it.
JAS boss Mads Fischer says Honda itself gave the project its blessing. Modern emissions and safety regulations make it impossible for a manufacturer to build a car like the original NSX today, but because the Tensei is based on an existing shell, it only needs to meet far older Euro 1 standards.
Pininfarina Design, Instantly Recognisable
Pininfarina handled the exterior design, working closely with JAS to keep the silhouette instantly recognisable while tightening the proportions. The pop-up headlights stay, as does the signature rear wing hoop and side air intakes all functionally improved over the 1991 original. Carbon fibre panels now sit over what remains of the original aluminium structure.
420bhp Judd V6. No VTEC Required
Power comes from a heavily reworked version of Honda’s original V6, now bored out to 3.5 litres by British engine specialist Judd. It revs to 8,500rpm and produces 420bhp, a jump of roughly 140bhp over the standard NSX. The famous VTEC system has been dropped, as it wasn’t considered reliable at the new engine’s higher rev range. Drive goes through a fully re-engineered six-speed manual gearbox to the rear wheels only.
3.5L Judd V6 · 420bhp · 8,500rpm redline · 6-speed manual · RWD, up ~140bhp on the original NSX. VTEC deleted.
Interior: Old Soul, New Finish
Inside, JAS kept much of the original dashboard, console, and door cards, reupholstered and finished with aluminium trim. Buyers can choose between a modern semi-digital instrument display or a faithful recreation of the original’s six-dial yellow-needle gauges.
35 Cars, £770,000, Bring Your Own NSX
Only 35 exampleswill be built, a nod to the NSX’s upcoming 35th anniversary. Customers must supply a donor car and pay £770,000 plus tax and the cost of the donor vehicle.
For anyone who grew up idolising the original NSX, the Tensei is about as close as it gets to having it built exactly the way Honda might have, if modern regulations had never gotten in the way.
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