Japan’s Hybrid Supercar

The original Honda NSX was a truly remarkable supercar. Arriving in 1990, and developed in partnership with three-time Formula 1 world champion Ayrton Senna, the NSX brought about a new way of thinking what a supercar could and should be. Boasting an advanced 3-litre (which was eventually increased to 3.2 litre) V6 VTEC engine, it had the performance and handling to threaten a Ferrari but had the useability of a hatchback.

In many ways you could argue that the NSX set in motion a new formula for supercar-manufacturing for the next two decades (both McLaren and Ferrari would come to inject ever greater refinement and adjustability into their models). And even today, Honda recognise the merits of the philosophy that they created back then – the new NSX is a smorgasbord of technical mastery, bringing together superb dynamics alongside a clever hybrid drivetrain.

Just look at it. A perfectly proportioned silhouette reminiscent of all the very best sports cars – low, muscular, assertive, alluring, with minimal overhangs and gorgeous 19/20’’ diamond cut alloy wheels. It can’t compete with the Porsche 911 in terms of raw, unfiltered simplicity, but it mixes classic sports car ingredients with the very latest technology. And that’s the sort of thinking that produced the Porsche 918 hypercar.

Blessed with a complex but perfectly-executed combination of 3.5 litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine and three electric motors positioned at both the front and rear axles, the package results in 573bhp, 645Nm torque, propelling the car from 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds, and onto a dizzying top speed of 191 mph. Those are proper supercar numbers.

As petrolheads, we all love a burbling V8, or the wail from a V10, but if you want something different from the rest, the V6-hybrid combo is a superb alternative, providing driving accuracy, efficiency, and epic performance alongside a mechanical, motorsport-like soundtrack. Sure, it might not come out top in a rev-battle, but in the real world it is just right.

Our magical example is offered in glorious Valencia Red Pearl Andaro metallic paintwork, alongside a carefully thought-out vibrant Red semi-aniline leather and Black Alcantara interior with red contrast stitching. The whole cabin feels comfortable-yet-focused, with that distinctive Japanese attention to ergonomics abundantly clear throughout. The steering wheel is chunky yet feels perfectly-judged when on move, and the seats are ultra-supportive. You would expect nothing less of a car from the Land of The Rising Sun.

Ready to view in the Alexanders showroom, our NSX takes everything to the next level. With optional carbon ceramic brakes, carbon fibre rear spoiler, carbon fibre engine cover, carbon fibre interior sport package, alongside powered heated sports seats, and the must-have technology pack, our NSX offers a complete package for the tech-obsessed driving enthusiast.

Ultimately, whilst the offerings from Porsche, Audi, Mercedes, Ferrari, or Aston Martin will all give you some degree of an enjoyable fusion of technology, performance, and drama, the NSX offers all of these attributes but does so in its own purposeful, charming, admirable way. A cut-price 918 Spyder – what do you think?

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