Electric Cars

Renowned Italian design firm Italdesign, with Honda's official endorsement, has breathed new life into the second-generation NSX, unveiling an exclusive \u201cNSX Tribute\u201d at the Tokyo Auto Salon. This project takes cues from the original NSX, integrating classic design elements into the modern supercar's aesthetics. The initiative is set for a highly limited production run, catering specifically to right-hand-drive versions of the 2016-2022 NSX models. This collaboration highlights a growing trend among design houses to offer bespoke restomod or tribute editions of iconic vehicles, marrying heritage with contemporary styling.

The Italdesign NSX Tribute is a meticulously crafted vehicle that blends historical references with modern supercar attributes. While the interior largely retains its original form, enthusiasts will appreciate the various upholstery and trim options, alongside a special dashboard badge signifying its unique lineage. This project follows Italdesign's previous work on special edition supercars, underscoring its expertise in transforming existing vehicles into rare, collector's items. The limited nature of the NSX Tribute, along with its bespoke modifications, suggests a premium offering for discerning collectors.

The Rebirth of an Icon: Italdesign's NSX Tribute

Italdesign has masterfully re-envisioned the second-generation Honda NSX, creating a striking \u201cNSX Tribute\u201d with the full backing of Honda. Debuting at the Tokyo Auto Salon, this project showcases a fusion of the modern NSX's engineering with design elements reminiscent of its revered predecessor. The endeavor is not a complete rebuild but a comprehensive aesthetic and partial structural overhaul of existing vehicles, specifically targeting the right-hand-drive models produced between 2016 and 2022. This approach allows Italdesign to imbue the contemporary supercar with a nostalgic spirit, ensuring each limited-run unit stands as a testament to automotive heritage and innovative design. The collaboration underscores the enduring appeal of the NSX and Italdesign's capability to enhance an already exceptional machine, creating a truly unique offering for collectors and enthusiasts.

The transformation by Italdesign on the NSX Tribute goes beyond simple cosmetic changes, incorporating significant design cues from the first-generation model. Key exterior updates include a prominent rear spoiler, reminiscent of the original NSX, and a distinct roof scoop that pays homage to the ultra-rare NSX-R GT. The vehicle also features red Honda badges at both ends, echoing the iconic NSX-R, and bespoke black 19-inch front and 20-inch rear Advan wheels fitted with Yokohama tires. While pop-up headlights could not be re-introduced, Italdesign designed \u201ceyelids\u201d to evoke their classic look. The interior, though largely preserved, offers exclusive upholstery options and trim accents, with a special \u201cNSX Tribute by Italdesign\u201d badge confirming its unique provenance. This extensive reinterpretation ensures the Tribute model is both visually distinct and deeply connected to its lineage.

Heritage Meets Modernity: Design Philosophy and Exclusivity

Italdesign's philosophy for the NSX Tribute centers on a respectful yet innovative integration of past and present design languages. By taking the modern second-generation NSX and infusing it with iconic elements from the original, the design house avoids a simple 'restomod' label, instead creating a contemporary homage. This delicate balance ensures the vehicle maintains its modern performance capabilities while celebrating its rich history. The decision to produce an \u201cultra-limited series\u201d highlights the exclusivity of the project, appealing to a niche market of collectors who value unique design and a deep connection to automotive heritage. This strategic approach allows Italdesign to offer a bespoke experience, further solidifying the NSX's status as a timeless supercar.

The exclusivity of the NSX Tribute is further emphasized by its limited production run, contrasting with Italdesign's previous collaboration with Nissan on the GT-R50, which involved entirely new vehicles. With the NSX Tribute, Italdesign modifies existing right-hand-drive models, making each unit a highly individualized creation. While the exact number of NSXs to be converted remains undisclosed, the term \u201cultra-limited series production\u201d suggests a very small quantity, contributing to its desirability and potential value. This bespoke modification process, focusing on significant exterior restyling and subtle interior enhancements, positions the NSX Tribute as a unique automotive artwork, bridging generations of design and performance. The project also subtly hints at the automotive industry's evolving landscape, with Honda's plans for an \u201cNSX-Type\u201d EV signaling a shift towards electric powertrains, making these V6-powered tributes even more significant as a celebration of internal combustion legacy.

Subaru recently showcased the WRX STI Sport# prototype at the prestigious Tokyo Auto Salon, signaling a significant development for enthusiasts of performance vehicles. This new iteration primarily serves as a manual-transmission version of the WRX S4 STI, a model previously available exclusively in Japan with an automatic gearbox. The unveiling followed a period of intense speculation, driven by a series of teaser videos that suggested the potential return of a fully-fledged STI model. While the Sport# prototype does not represent an entirely new high-performance STI, it directly addresses a long-standing demand from the driving community for a more engaging and driver-focused experience.

Subaru's New Prototype: A Closer Look at the WRX STI Sport#

At the recent Tokyo Auto Salon, Japanese automaker Subaru introduced its latest concept, the WRX STI Sport# prototype. This highly anticipated vehicle is essentially a version of the existing WRX S4 STI, which has been sold exclusively in Japan, but with a crucial upgrade: a manual transmission. Previously, the WRX S4 STI, powered by a 271-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine (similar to the standard WRX available in other markets), was only offered with an automatic transmission. The introduction of the Sport# prototype signifies Subaru's acknowledgment of the enthusiast community's strong preference for a manual gearbox in its performance models.

While specific details remain somewhat limited, initial observations from the Tokyo Auto Salon suggest that the Sport# prototype features a distinctive, more textured grille mesh. Notably, the large rear wing characteristic of the regular STI models appears to have been removed from this prototype. Additionally, a vibrant red strip encircling the car's lower body was visible on the display model, though its presence in other photographs suggests it might be an optional aesthetic enhancement. Subaru has yet to release a comprehensive list of specifications, but further updates are expected as more information becomes available. The unveiling at the Tokyo Auto Salon, rather than a global event, and its exclusive YouTube livestream in Japanese, initially tempered some of the earlier excitement generated by Subaru's teaser campaigns. Nevertheless, this development indicates Subaru's ongoing commitment to evolving its performance offerings.

This unveiling serves as a potent reminder to Subaru of the fervent desire among enthusiasts, particularly in markets like the United States, for high-performance vehicles that offer an uncompromised driving experience. Given that a new, dedicated STI model has not been released in the U.S. since the 2021 model year, the anticipation for any STI-branded development is understandably high. While the Sport# prototype might not be the full-strength STI that many had hoped for, it demonstrates Subaru's responsiveness to consumer sentiment. The company's prior presentation of two STI-branded hot hatches at last October's Tokyo Auto Show further underscores their awareness of market demands. This ongoing dialogue between manufacturer and consumer suggests a promising future for Subaru's performance division.