Italdesign has partnered with Honda to create a striking tribute version of the iconic NSX, reworking the second-generation supercar with bespoke bodywork and design elements inspired by both generations of the legendary model. This ultra-limited project is aimed at collectors who value exclusivity, heritage, and Italian design flair applied to Japanese performance engineering.
Concept & Design Philosophy
The Italdesign Honda NSX Tribute is based exclusively on the second-generation NSX, which ended production in 2022. While the underlying structure and hybrid supercar layout remain unchanged, Italdesign has penned completely new exterior bodywork. The goal is to merge modern NSX proportions with visual references to the original first-generation NSX, creating a bridge between past and present. Unlike a factory-built special edition, this tribute is a coachbuilt reinterpretation, focused on visual identity rather than mechanical changes.
Coachbuilt Approach & Production Method
Italdesign is not manufacturing new NSXs from scratch. Instead, existing customer-owned cars will be transformed, similar to the approach used by high-end restomod specialists. Each car will be individually rebuilt with new exterior panels while retaining the original interior and mechanical components. Production will be extremely limited, with Italdesign confirming an ultra-limited series to maintain rarity and exclusivity.
Exterior Styling & Visual Changes
Most of the transformation is concentrated on the exterior. The redesigned body incorporates sharper surfacing, a revised front fascia, and a prominent rear spoiler inspired by historic NSX performance variants. Additional design cues draw from both generations, blending classic proportions with modern aggression. While the tribute keeps the recognizable NSX stance, certain iconic elements of the second-generation car have been altered, resulting in a more dramatic and polarizing appearance that clearly sets it apart from the standard model.
Interior & Cabin Treatment
Inside, the NSX Tribute remains largely unchanged. Italdesign has chosen to preserve the second-generation NSX interior layout, materials, and technology. The only notable difference is a special plaque on the dashboard signifying the car’s Italdesign conversion and limited status. This approach ensures that the driver-focused cockpit and everyday usability of the NSX are retained without compromise.
Powertrain & Performance Retained
Mechanically, the Italdesign NSX Tribute remains identical to the standard second-generation NSX. This means it continues to use Honda’s hybrid powertrain, combining a twin-turbocharged V6 engine with three electric motors for all-wheel drive performance. Output remains at approximately 573 HP with instant torque delivery and advanced torque vectoring. Acceleration, handling, and refinement are unchanged, preserving the original NSX’s balance between supercar performance and daily usability.
Exclusivity & Right-Hand Drive Limitation
One major limitation of the Italdesign project is its right-hand-drive-only eligibility. Only second-generation NSX models originally built in right-hand drive configuration can be converted. This excludes US-market Acura NSX models entirely, further increasing the rarity of the tribute cars. As a result, availability will be concentrated in markets such as Japan, the UK, and select regions with right-hand-drive imports.
Prices In The Middle East
Italdesign has not officially announced pricing, but this transformation is expected to be extremely expensive. Based on similar coachbuilt conversions and the original NSX’s market value, estimated pricing for the Italdesign NSX Tribute in the Middle East could range from AED 1,600,000 to AED 2,000,000 depending on donor vehicle cost and customization. Import fees and limited availability are likely to push final ownership costs even higher for regional buyers.
Middle East Market Relevance
Ultra-limited supercars with strong design narratives appeal strongly to collectors in the Middle East. The Italdesign NSX Tribute offers a rare combination of Japanese reliability, hybrid performance, and Italian design exclusivity. Its limited numbers and coachbuilt nature make it particularly attractive to enthusiasts seeking something more distinctive than mainstream supercars from Ferrari or Lamborghini.
Conclusion
The Italdesign Honda NSX Tribute is a bold reinterpretation of a modern icon. While its design may divide opinions, there is no denying its exclusivity, craftsmanship, and collector appeal. By blending styling cues from both generations of the NSX and limiting production to a handful of right-hand-drive cars, Italdesign has created a niche supercar aimed squarely at enthusiasts who value rarity and design heritage over mass appeal.
