JAS Tensei brings back the first NSX
Words: Richard Edwards
Italian race car builder JAS Motorsport has revealed the production version of the Tensei, a carbon-bodied rebuild of the first-generation Honda NSX designed with Pininfarina.
The car makes its public debut at the Paris Motor Show, which runs from 12 to 18 October. Only 35 will be built, priced from €880,000 before taxes. That price does not include the car itself, as each buyer supplies an original NSX as the donor.
Tensei means “rebirth” in Japanese. JAS has been a Honda motorsport partner since 1998 and builds the Civic Type R TCR and NSX GT3 race cars. We first reported on the project a year ago.
Judd-built V6
The engine starts as the NSX’s 3.0-litre C30A V6. British engine specialist Judd rebuilds it to 3.5 litres with a new crankshaft, alloy cylinder heads and titanium valves. VTEC is replaced by fixed valve timing.
It stays naturally aspirated and is reported to make 309kW at 8300rpm and 414Nm at 5500rpm, with an 8500rpm redline. The original NSX made about 206kW.
Drive goes to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual with a carbon twin-plate clutch and a Torsen limited-slip differential.
Carbon body
Every body panel is carbon fibre, and JAS quotes a dry weight of 1250kg. The track is about 170mm wider at the front and 190mm wider at the rear, and the wheelbase is slightly longer than the original.
The pop-up headlights stay, now with LED units, and a full-width LED light runs across the tail beneath the NSX-style spoiler hoop.
Suspension uses adjustable KW dampers with a front lift system. Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes are fitted, and the centre-lock wheels are 19 inches at the front and 20 inches at the rear on Pirelli tyres.
Cabin
The interior keeps the original NSX layout but adds a digital instrument display and a central screen. It is trimmed in carbon fibre, leather and Alcantara, with Sabelt carbon seats. JAS says buyers can choose from hundreds of colour and trim combinations.
JAS has appointed Graham Rahal Performance in the US and Pfaff Reserve in Canada as its first sales partners.
