Pininfarina Brings Back the Original Honda NSX with the ‘Tensei’: A Sports Car with Renewed Attitude

The project, whose name means “rebirth” in Japanese, combines the original design with a more muscular stance and contemporary improvements, positioning it as a limited-edition road sports car.

Honda and Pininfarina collaborated in 1984 to create the HP-X, a mid-engined sports car that eventually evolved into the groundbreaking NSX. Now, more than 40 years later, Pininfarina is reinterpreting the Honda / Acura NSX. For this, it has partnered with Italy’s JAS Motorsport. The first teaser images show a design that, thankfully, does not stray too far from the original NSX.

Faithful Design and Increased Musculature

The Tensei’s design retains several key elements of the original. For example, the black canopy remains, as do the pop-up lights, the hoop rear spoiler, and the basic rear light signature. However, subtle changes and improvements are noticeable. The bodywork is entirely new and has been fashioned from carbon fiber. It adopts a more muscular look, featuring vents behind the swollen front fenders.

The rear-quarter panel intakes are bigger. Additionally, it incorporates a vent in the front hood, similar to the one on the mighty first-generation NSX-R (NA2). What truly transforms this update is the massively improved stance. The original NSX had a narrow rear track and a weirdly long rear overhang. This new interpretation seems to work much better in terms of proportions. The car also proudly wears JAS badges, rather than Honda ones.

Focus on Driving and Improved Performance

Pininfarina confirms that the Tensei is a road car and not a stripped-down track-only special. The new model will use a tuned version of Honda’s V6 engine. Undoubtedly, the performance will be superior to the 270 hp (274 PS) that the original 3.0-liter engine claimed in 1990.

Furthermore, it will come with a six-speed manual transmission. It will be available in both left- and right-hand drive. The number of cars to be built or their price remains unknown. The Tensei was privately revealed to a select group of customers at Fuji Speedway in November. The company plans a full global reveal during the first half of 2026.