The original Honda NSX-R (also known as the Type R) was the company’s first model to be adorned with the Type R branding, back in 1992. Its second iteration came in 2002 and for many JDM fans it’s the ultimate Honda, as it’s not only significantly more thrilling to drive, it’s also rarer.
The pristine example you see here belongs to the Honda Collection Hall, a museum that includes some 300 restored cars, motorcycles, power products and racing models and is located at Motegi, Japan.
Compared with the regular NSX, the Japan-only second-gen NSX-R was subjected to a significant diet that included a carbon bonnet, a carbon hollow rear wing, carbon-kevlar bucket seats dressed in lightweight fabric and the cabin almost stripped from sound deadening.
Central locking and power steering were also ditched in search for the ultimate lightness, the wheels are forged, the battery is smaller, the rear glass is thinner and the list goes on. Weight is rated at 1,270kg (2,800lbs), 100kg (220lbs) less than a standard NSX.
The suspension features massively uprated dampers and springs, stiffer bushing and thicker anti-roll bars. The 3.2-liter V6 might produce the same 276hp with the normal models but each NSX-R unit was hand-assembled and blueprinted, resulting in significantly reduced powertrain losses. Paired to it is a six-speed manual gearbox which offers probably the best feel in the automotive universe; featuring a stubby titanium lever, it allows the driver to change gears with immense speed and precision.
Honda claimed a 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds while top speed of the second-gen NSX-R was down to 168mph due to shorter gearing. And that’s the stuff JDM legends are made of.