Italdesign remains a fascinating player in the automotive industry, primarily known for crafting designs and aesthetic features for brands rather than marketing their own products. This week, they announced a collaboration that introduces a “new” Acura NSX, which is in fact a significant update of the second-generation model. The car’s impressive design has been showcased in a dynamic animated video reminiscent of the video game Tokyo Xtreme Racer, paying homage to F1 legend Ayrton Senna.
As many enthusiasts may know, the Honda NSX (known as the Acura NSX in the USA) is a mid-engine supercar that has seen two generations and three distinct styles. The original model from the 1990s, equipped with flip-up headlights, was famously driven by Ayrton Senna, followed by a more modernized version at the turn of the millennium. After a lengthy wait, the second generation was released in 2016, renowned for its hybrid performance, though produced in limited numbers, making it significantly rarer than the original, with only around 3,000 units built between 2016 and 2022.
The Honda NSX Tribute by Italdesign introduces a semi-official fourth style for the vehicle, officially supported by Honda. However, details regarding public availability remain unclear. Similar to earlier Italdesign projects like the Scighera and the Nissan GT-R50, this NSX serves as a demonstration of Italdesign’s capabilities rather than a consumer-targeted product. Thus, the images circulating online are conceptual renders, highlighting its striking design.
Italdesign’s release describes the NSX as a “few-off project” with intentions for limited production, suggesting at least two units will be created, but only in right-hand drive. While pricing hasn’t been disclosed, potential buyers should anticipate a cost exceeding $1,000,000, especially considering past pricing trends for similar Italdesign models.
It’s not currently stated whether customers must arrange shipping of their NSX for modification, or if Italdesign plans to stock a few units for this upgrade. A local Acura dealer might not provide insights on this endeavor, as Italdesign does not operate like a conventional tuner with customer-facing workshops. Updates on ordering procedures will be shared as more information becomes available.
The launch of the NSX Tribute is set to take place at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January 2026. Italdesign has also released a teaser video on YouTube, hinting that this project is part of a larger promotional campaign. Stay tuned for further updates regarding this intriguing collaboration.
