Media | Articles
The Driver’s Seat: Henry Catchpole on the Honda NSX-R
Famously, Ayrton Senna drove a Honda NSX-R around Suzuka in white socks and loafers, so in this latest TDS episode, Henry Catchpole does his best to pay tribute to that iconic footage. He also investigates how a car with only 290 horsepower can stand toe-to-toe with the very best supercars ever made. And he finds that it really can.
This particular example is a facelifted “NA2” NSX-R from 2002. It has just 16,000km on the clock and is coming up for auction with Broad Arrow at the Villa d’Este concours at the end of May. Resplendent in Championship white with red Recaro carbon bucket seats and simple three-spoke Momo steering wheel inside, this NSX-R is in pretty much perfect spec.
The legendary NSX ergonomics seem to be even better in the R, and as soon as you get in, you feel right at home. It is an incredibly tactile car to drive, with a fabulously tight, precise gear shift and talkative unassisted steering, both of which are full of feel from the moment you set off. Also playing an integral part in the experience is the naturally aspirated, 90-degree V-6. It might only have 290 hp and 224 lb-ft of torque, but it somehow feels like enough in a car that only weighs 2800 lbs.
When let loose around the cambered curves of Sweden’s Gelleråsen arena, this Honda is something close to driving Nirvana, with incredible poise and no lack of performance. The circuit, also known as Karlskoga Motorstadion, is Sweden’s oldest permanent motorsport track, and as Henry explains, it has witnessed some interesting races in its history. Enjoy Henry’s experience with one of Japan’s finest in the video below.
***
Steering wheel on wrong side.
It’s a Japanese Spec car so it’s on the right side for the Japanese market. They are fun to drive cars, regardless.
Worst ergonomics ever, I think you mean. Twice I test drove an NSX. No headroom. Had to recline seat to fit my head in. Then I had to have my arms fully extended to reach the steering wheel. I wanted to love that car, but I hated it. First time I test drove the NSX, I bought a Porsche 964 C2 Targa. Much better driver’s car, I could actually be in a position to drive safely.
Respectfully, I disagree: I’m 6 foot and 175 so pretty much everything is ‘made for me’, if you know what I mean. Perhaps your physical height wasn’t suited to the car? I drove the car and found it to be amazingly neutral and allowed me to push as it was confidence inspiring. A hair under powered I’d suggest but i wan’t exactily complaining as the suspension asked for more. It was a normal 1995 T as I recall but I won’t soon forget the balance of the car and it’s excellent road manners. I found the ergos to be very satisfactory and intuitive.