Honda's highly-anticipated NSX will set budding enthusiasts back $420,000 plus on-road costs when it lands in Australia.
Honda Australia has confirmed price and specifications for the long-awaited supercar, opting in favour of a package whereby every piece of available equipment is essentially fitted as standard.
The first customer examples of the NSX will reach showrooms in early 2017. Unlike some regions around the world, the Australian specification vehicle will be one with the lot, according to Honda Australia boss Stephen Collins.
![Ready for action: customer examples of the Honda NSX will arrive in Australia in early 2017.](/web/20160802154832im_/http://www.drive.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/0/o/p/7/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gqhwle.png/1470007904751.jpg)
"It's arriving fully-equipped, for example we've made the carbon fibre exterior and interior packages standard, along with carbon-ceramic brakes. It's a highly competitive supercar package," he said.
Along with carbon ceramic brakes that will cost £8000 in the UK, the Australian specification NSX will be laden with a carbon fibre rear diffuser, roof, engine cover, rear lip spoiler, front under spoiler and side skirts, along with top specification wheels and exhaust finish. Inside, the meter visor, upper steering wheel rim and spokes will be adorned standard in carbon fibre, while uprated brushed aluminium surfacing will feature on the foot pedals and foot rest.
The decision to add in $35,000 worth of equipment as standard may not appease everyone, though it lands the NSX in the middle of the price range of cars that it will ultimately compete against – the Audi R8 V10, Porsche 911 Turbo, Lamborghini Huracan and Ferrari 488 GTB.
The NSX is already sold out for two years in the US, and there is a 12 month waiting list in Europe. With only eight cars being built daily at the US production facility, Honda Australia believes it will receive more order than it has cars, and as such will make the supercar sought after by collectors.
"It will be exclusive; so those customers who value such exclusivity will really appreciate the Honda NSX. It will be the must-have supercar in Australia among those owners who appreciate finely crafted automobiles," Collins said.
The NSX will be available in a range of eight exterior colours and four interior trims. Three solid colours are available standard, with metallic hues adding $1500. Much like many of its Italian and German contemporaries, the NSX's hero colour, Valencia Red Pearl, will set owners back a further $10,000.
Benchmarked on elite machines like the 911 Turbo, the NSX showcases Honda's latest engine technology, sandwiching an electric motor between its 75-degree 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 and nine-speed dual clutch automatic transmission, along with an additional pair of electric motors over the front axle.
The internal combustion engine alone produces 375kW and 500Nm, with the rear-mounted electric motor adding another 148Nm and each of the front motors providing 73Nm for a total output of 427kW and 646Nm.
Honda is already showing off the NSX to the Australian public, taking receivership of a right-hand drive model that will be used as a demonstration car. But the early prototype cannot be driven on public roads.
Honda Australia has announced five different dealers for the NSX: one each in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.
The first customer examples of the NSX will land early 2017, some 26 years after the original launched in 1991 – priced at a relatively paltry $159,900.
Honda NSX price and specifications
On sale: Early 2017
Price: $420,000 (estimated)
Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol, electric motors
Power: 426kW at 7500rpm
Torque: 646Nm at 1500rpm
Transmission: 9-spd dual-clutch automatic, AWD
Fuel use: 10.0L/100km
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