It takes cues from the first generation and comes only in right-hand drive.
It’s only been a month since Pininfarina gave the first-generation NSX a makeover, and now another fabled Italian design house is sprucing up the mid-engined supercar. This time, Italdesign has worked on the modern version manufactured between 2016 and 2022. Premiering today at the Tokyo Auto Salon in Japan, the NSX Tribute has Honda’s stamp of approval and is headed for limited production.
By “production,” we mean Italdesign will take existing cars and give them a comprehensive makeover. As a refresher, Honda/Acura stopped making the NSX at its Marysville, Ohio plant more than three years ago after assembling 2,908 cars. Italdesign’s take on the hybrid machine isn’t compatible with all examples, however, as only right-hand-drive vehicles can be transformed into a Tribute.
Italdesign makes it clear this isn’t a restomod, which makes sense given that the second-generation NSX is still very much a modern car. The goal was to blend design cues from the original into its successor. The most obvious throwback is the rear spoiler, while the roof scoop takes inspiration from the rare NSX-R GT homologation special.
The red Honda badge at both ends is a nod to another special version, the NSX-R, with its signature red emblem. The same motif appears on the centercaps of the black 19-inch front and 20-inch rear Advan wheels, wrapped in Yokohama rubber. Unfortunately, Italdesign couldn’t bring back the pop-up headlights, but it attempted to recreate the iconic look with so-called “eyelids.”
Most of the changes focus on the bodywork, with the cabin largely carried over. Italdesign offers multiple upholstery options and trim accents, but the interior is essentially the same as before. An “NSX Tribute by Italdesign” badge adorns the passenger side of the dashboard as a subtle reminder that the car has been pampered by one of the oldest design houses in the business.
This isn’t the first time in recent years that Italdesign has given a Japanese supercar a full makeover. In 2018, it collaborated with Nissan on the GT-R50, though those were entirely new cars. Fifty units were built at €990,000 apiece, before taxes and options. The famed design house, no longer controlled by Audi, hasn’t disclosed how many NSXs will be converted to Tribute specification, only mentioning an “ultra-limited series production.” That sounds expensive, especially given the scope of the changes.
Motor1’s Take: An NSX reimagined by Italdesign comes as something of a surprise. It caters to a very limited audience given the low production numbers, but it’s nice to see the NSX back in the limelight. Blending the two generations without leaning too heavily into retro territory is an interesting idea, and the result could appeal to some deep-pocketed owners of RHD-spec NSXs.
Ideally, a new third-generation NSX straight from Honda would be even better. The company has promised an “NSX-Type” EV is on the way, but without the roar of a combustion engine behind the driver, its appeal may be limited. Before the electric NSX arrives, Honda is set to begin supplying new “genuine compatible parts” for the first-generation model.
See Other Cars Penned By Italdesign:
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Italdesign
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