X

Honda debuts the Type R treatment on the NSX supercar

Honda's Type R line began with the first-generation NSX supercar. The NSX-R was the first production vehicle to wear the line's trademark Championship White paint and red Honda badge.

Jon Wong
Jon Wong was a reviews editor for CNET Cars. He test drove and wrote about new cars and oversaw coverage of automotive accessories and garage gear. In his spare time, he enjoys track days, caring for his fleet of old Japanese cars and searching for the next one to add to his garage.
Jon Wong
1992-honda-nsx-r-1.jpg
1 of 7 Honda

Fittingly, Honda's Type R story begins with its ground-breaking NSX supercar, which was originally developed with the help of racing legend Ayrton Senna.

1992-honda-nsx-r-2.jpg
2 of 7 Honda

Its aluminum monocoque body was a first for a production car, helping to shave weight. The Type R treatment took weight reduction even further by removing the stereo and air conditioning, and tossing out most of the sound-deadening material. In total, Honda engineers shaved off roughly 308 pounds.

1992-honda-nsx-r-3.jpg
3 of 7 Honda

The NSX Type R's Championship White paint is a direct nod to the RA 272 Formula 1 car that Richie Ginther drove to victory at the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix, Honda's first GP win.

1992-honda-nsx-r-4.jpg
4 of 7 Honda

Lightweight carbon-fiber Recaro seats dress the interior of the NSX-R.

1992-honda-nsx-r-5.jpg
5 of 7 Honda

The sound system was removed from the NSX-R because it did nothing to improve vehicle performance.

1992-honda-nsx-r-6.jpg
6 of 7 Honda

The NSX-R's six-speed manual shifter.

1992-honda-nsx-r-7.jpg
7 of 7 Honda

To further stiffen the NSX-R's aluminum chassis, additional underbody bracing was installed.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos