1992 Honda NSX-R: Ayrton Senna's Lightweight Masterpiece

When Honda launched the revolutionary all-aluminum NSX in 1990, three-time Formula 1 World Champion Ayrton Senna tested the prototype at Suzuka and urged engineers to increase chassis rigidity. In 1992, Honda responded with the hardcore, Japanese-market-only NSX-R.

Honda stripped 120 kg by removing sound deadening, audio, air conditioning, and spare tire, replacing standard seats with ultralight red carbon-Kevlar Recaro buckets.

Blueprinted C30A VTEC#

The 3.0-liter naturally aspirated V6 received hand-balanced crankshaft assemblies and blueprinted pistons matched to within 1 gram of tolerance, allowing instant throttle response all the way to its 8,000 RPM redline.

With shorter final drive gearing and stiffer suspension bushings, the NSX-R delivered the purest mechanical steering feel of any production car ever conceived.