In the second segment of Jethro Bovingdon’s Drive Tribe test featuring the Acura NSX, the automotive journalist takes the new Acura NSX—known as the Honda NSX in the U.K.—to an airstrip for a competitive timed race against the Nissan GT-R and Porsche Turbo, aiming for speeds of 150 mph.
On paper, all three vehicles show similarities: each is all-wheel drive, sports turbocharged six-cylinder engines with around 500 horsepower, and utilizes dual-clutch transmissions. Traditionally, the Nissan GT-R and Porsche Turbo have been rivals, boasting impressive sub-three-second 0-60 mph times, but the German vehicle has often edged out its Japanese rival. (However, modified GT-Rs can tell a different story.)
Now, with the debut of the Acura NSX—Acura’s hybrid supercar that combines 573 horsepower from its three electric motors and twin-turbocharged V6—it’s a whole new ball game. Both Porsche and Nissan now face a formidable competitor in the arena of everyday drivable supercars.
However, despite their similar specifications on paper, factors such as engine placement and weight are ultimately decisive in determining the timed race’s victor. Without revealing spoilers, it’s noteworthy that the winner of this race has recently been rated #1 in dependability by J.D. Power, ensuring it maintains its status for the foreseeable future.
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