The 1995 Acura Nsx arrived not just as another sports car, but as a bold statement, challenging the very definition of what an exotic vehicle could be. Acura’s intention was clear: to craft a hand-built, mid-engine marvel that would set new benchmarks in prestige, performance, refinement, driveability, and crucially, reliability. The NSX was engineered to be a paradigm shift in the exotic sports car realm.
For the 1995 model year, Acura amplified the NSX’s appeal with the introduction of the NSX-T. This variant offered the exhilarating freedom of open-top driving thanks to its removable roof panel. The aim was to inject a fresh level of excitement and broaden the NSX’s market reach without compromising the exceptional performance and sophisticated engineering that defined the coupe.
Creating the NSX-T was a significant undertaking, extending far beyond simply detaching the fixed roof. Acura engineers meticulously reinforced key structural areas to ensure the convertible model retained the acclaimed handling precision and rigidity of the NSX coupe. Strengthened rocker panels, front and rear bulkheads, and the floorpan were among the critical enhancements.
Alt text: 1995 Acura NSX-T targa top removed, showcasing sleek design and open-air experience.
The 1995 NSX lineup also benefited from several technical advancements and refinements. Notably, the optional Formula One-inspired SportShift automatic transmission debuted, featuring an innovative column-mounted electronic shifter. This system allowed drivers to manually shift gears without taking their hands off the steering wheel, boosting both driving enjoyment and safety.
Further innovations included a drive-by-wire throttle system, a redesigned exhaust and muffler system for improved efficiency and reduced emissions, an OBD-II onboard diagnostic system, enhanced Traction Control System (TCS), and new fuel injectors. The drive-by-wire system also enabled a lower activation threshold for the TCS, enhancing stability and driver control. Moreover, all 1995 NSX models came standard with variable electric power-assisted steering, a system initially introduced on automatic transmission-equipped NSXs.
Significantly, all 1995 NSX models were engineered to meet the stringent 1997 federal side impact safety standards, underscoring Acura’s commitment to safety alongside performance.
Core Concepts and Design Philosophy
The original NSX was conceived with a clear set of objectives, a blueprint for exotic car excellence:
- Benchmark Performance: Performance metrics to equal or surpass existing exotic sports cars.
- Everyday Livability: The NSX needed to be as user-friendly and practical as any other Acura vehicle.
- Exceptional Handling Dynamics: Precise and responsive handling was paramount.
- Comfort and Ergonomics: A driver-centric cabin with a focus on comfort, ergonomic design, and minimized noise intrusion.
- Unwavering Reliability and Durability: Achieving the reliability and longevity expected of mass-produced automobiles, a rarity in the exotic car segment.
- Lightweight Construction: Extensive use of lightweight materials throughout the vehicle.
- Superior Fit and Finish: An exceptionally high standard of fit, finish, and material quality.
- Exclusivity through Limited Production: Maintaining exclusivity with controlled production volumes.
- Effective Climate Control: A robust climate control system capable of maintaining occupant comfort in all weather conditions.
The NSX successfully realized these ambitious goals, establishing itself as a peer, and in many respects, a superior alternative to established exotic sports cars. The NSX-T model aimed to build upon this foundation, adding the allure of open-air motoring while preserving the original car’s core attributes. Key priorities for the NSX-T included:
- Maintaining Chassis Rigidity: Ensuring body rigidity to uphold exceptional handling and steering precision.
- Preserving Noise Insulation: Retaining the coupe’s levels of cabin noise insulation even with the removable top.
- Convenient Roof Panel Storage: Providing a practical and easily accessible storage solution for the removable roof panel.
- Minimizing Wind Buffeting: Reducing wind turbulence and noise within the cabin at higher speeds with the top removed.
- Secure Security System: Ensuring the vehicle security system remained fully functional even when the roof was removed.
Powertrain: The Heart of the NSX
At the core of the 1995 Acura NSX was its advanced powertrain – a testament to innovative engineering and performance optimization.
Engine Overview
The NSX engine was an all-aluminum, 90-degree, 3.0-liter (2977cc), DOHC, 4-valve-per-cylinder V-6 powerhouse. In manual transmission models, it delivered 270 hp at 7100 rpm, while automatic versions produced 252 hp at 6600 rpm. Both configurations generated 210 lb-ft of torque at 5300 rpm. The manual variant boasted an 8000 rpm redline, while the automatic’s was set at 7500 rpm.
The engine featured Acura’s groundbreaking Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) system, optimizing engine breathing across the rev range. Complementing VTEC was the Variable Volume Induction System, which adjusted the intake system configuration based on engine speed, working in tandem with VTEC to broaden the torque curve and enhance peak power.
Alt text: 1995 Acura NSX engine bay, showcasing the 3.0-liter VTEC V6 engine.
Advanced Engine Components
The engine block was constructed from lightweight yet durable aluminum alloy, incorporating cast-in iron cylinder liners. A fully counterweighted forged steel crankshaft ensured robustness. The cylinder heads were crafted from low-pressure cast aluminum, featuring a pent-roof combustion chamber design with a generous squish area to promote combustion efficiency. Centrally located platinum-tipped spark plugs enhanced flame propagation and extended service life.
Titanium Connecting Rods: Formula One Technology for the Road
A standout feature was the use of patented titanium alloy connecting rods – a first for a production car and technology directly derived from Formula One racing. These titanium rods were significantly lighter (190 grams less than steel counterparts) and stronger, reducing reciprocating mass and enhancing engine responsiveness.
VTEC and Variable Volume Induction System: Optimizing Performance
The VTEC system was a revolutionary technology, resolving the traditional compromise between low-end torque and high-end horsepower. It employed a unique camshaft and rocker arm system. For each cylinder’s pair of intake or exhaust valves, three rocker arms and three corresponding camshaft lobes were present. Two outer lobes were optimized for low- to mid-rpm operation, while the central lobe featured a high-lift, long-duration profile for peak high-rpm power. Above 5800 rpm, the VTEC computer engaged, using oil pressure to lock the rocker arms onto the high-lift center lobe, seamlessly transitioning to high-performance valve timing in just 0.1 seconds.
Complementing VTEC, the Variable Volume Induction System utilized a secondary intake air plenum beneath the main manifold. Butterfly valves opened between 4600 and 4900 rpm, actuated by manifold vacuum, connecting the secondary plenum. This increased intake volume created sonic pressure waves that enhanced cylinder filling, working synergistically with VTEC to boost both low-end torque and high-rpm power.
Fuel Injection, OBD-II, and Exhaust System Enhancements
Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) precisely metered fuel delivery to each cylinder, tailored to the VTEC and induction systems. For 1995, a new air-assist mechanism improved fuel atomization at low temperatures. An OBD-II onboard diagnostic system was integrated, recording engine malfunction data for easier maintenance. The exhaust system was lighter and more efficient, with larger catalytic converters moved closer to the engine for faster light-off and reduced emissions, without sacrificing power.
Direct Ignition and Transmission Options
A direct ignition system, with individual coils atop each spark plug, ensured a strong spark at high rpm, mirroring Formula One designs. The standard manual transmission was engineered for durability and precise, short shifts – among the shortest in the exotic car class. A dual-cone synchronizer for second gear and synchromesh for reverse enhanced shift smoothness. The second gear ratio was revised in 1995 for improved driveability. A twin-disc clutch managed the engine’s high torque while maintaining a light pedal feel and reducing rotational inertia.
The optional SportShift 4-speed automatic transmission offered a dual-mode operation: conventional automatic shifting or manual gear selection via steering column-mounted fingertip controls. Inspired by Formula One, SportShift allowed drivers to manually shift without removing their hands from the wheel, enhancing safety and engagement.
Torque Management and Traction Control
Manual transmission NSXs featured a new torque reactive limited-slip differential, using a multi-plate clutch and helical planetary gears to minimize wheelspin during cornering and improve acceleration out of corners. Automatic models used a torque control differential to enhance stability in crosswinds and on uneven surfaces by counteracting rotational differences between rear wheels.
The Traction Control System (TCS) minimized rear wheelspin on slippery surfaces. Enhanced for 1995, it used ABS wheel-speed sensors and a new G-sensor to detect impending wheelspin and reduce engine power via air and/or fuel adjustments. The drive-by-wire throttle system further refined TCS engagement, intervening before wheel-slip occurred.
Drive-By-Wire Throttle: Precision and Control
The 1995 NSX introduced a drive-by-wire throttle system, replacing the traditional cable with an all-electronic system. This provided instantaneous and precise throttle response, enhancing cruise control accuracy and integrating seamlessly with the TCS.
Interior: Cockpit Design and Refinement
The interior of the 1995 Acura NSX was designed with a cockpit philosophy, prioritizing driver focus, visibility, and a sense of connection with the driving experience.
Body Structure and Reinforcements
The NSX’s rigid aluminum chassis was fundamental to its performance. Utilizing supercomputers and Finite Element Modeling (FEM), engineers created a chassis that was significantly lighter than steel counterparts (40% less) while maintaining superior rigidity and impact protection. For the NSX-T, extensive body reinforcements were implemented to compensate for the removable roof, ensuring rigidity was maintained. These reinforcements included redesigned and thickened side sills, B-pillar base, rear bulkhead crossbar, and A-pillar sections.
Alt text: 1995 Acura NSX interior, driver-focused cockpit, leather seats, instrument panel.
Removable Top and Security
The NSX-T’s lightweight aluminum removable top panel was easily detached via two latches and stored under the rear glass hatch, secured with a key lock. A dash indicator alerted drivers if the top was not properly latched. The vehicle security system remained active even with the top removed.
Driver-Centric Design and Ergonomics
The interior design aimed for a “jet fighter pilot’s helmet” feel – encompassing visibility, snugness, and a sense of being connected to the environment. A low seating position, combined with a low cowl section, enhanced forward visibility and created a feeling of spaciousness despite the car’s low profile.
Instrumentation and Controls
The instrument panel prioritized simplicity and clarity. Analog gauges with white numerals on a black background provided essential information at a glance. The tachometer and speedometer were dominant, flanked by smaller gauges for water temperature, oil pressure, fuel, and voltage. Major controls were clustered around the steering wheel for easy reach.
NSX-T Specific Interior Features
The NSX-T featured a redesigned windshield header to minimize wind buffeting with the top removed, smaller sun visors for improved visibility, a dash light for roof panel latch status, and a locking mechanism for the roof storage compartment.
Safety and Comfort
Dual airbags and automatic seat belt tensioners were standard safety features. Leather-trimmed upholstery, hand-stitched and fitted, provided a luxurious feel. An automatic climate control system and an Acura/Bose® music system, specifically tuned for the NSX’s acoustics, enhanced occupant comfort and entertainment. A theft-deterrent system provided comprehensive security, even with the roof removed on the NSX-T.
Manufacturing Excellence
The NSX was produced in a unique, dedicated plant in Tochigi, Japan, focused on achieving the highest levels of automotive quality. Cars were moved by hand between workstations, with each team responsible for quality control before passing the vehicle to the next stage. Engines were assembled from start to finish by individual, highly skilled technicians, ensuring meticulous tolerances and reliability. The NSX’s 23-step paint process included an aircraft-type chromate coating for aluminum and a waterborne base coat for a vivid, smooth finish.
Chassis: Precision Handling and Control
The chassis of the 1995 Acura NSX was engineered for exceptional handling, responsiveness, and driver control, setting new standards for sports car dynamics.
Suspension System
The NSX suspension aimed for more than just high grip and quick responses; it was designed to allow drivers to easily control the car at its limits. It employed a Formula One-inspired double-wishbone design with coil-over shock absorbers and stabilizer bars front and rear. The rear suspension also included an additional transverse link for enhanced wheel control. All suspension arms were forged aluminum, with aluminum steering knuckles and hub carriers, minimizing unsprung weight. Nitrogen-filled shock absorbers featured progressive valve designs for precise damping control. Suspension components were mounted on aluminum subframes with rubber bushings to reduce vibration while maintaining rigidity. Extensive testing and development were conducted at proving grounds and race circuits worldwide, with input from renowned drivers like Ayrton Senna.
Alt text: 1995 Acura NSX chassis detail, aluminum components, double-wishbone suspension.
Braking System and ABS
The NSX featured 4-wheel ventilated disc brakes with dual-piston steel calipers, designed for benchmark braking performance, fade resistance, and excellent pedal feel. New splash guards with cutouts were added in 1995 to improve brake cooling. A 4-channel Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) independently controlled each wheel, providing superior control, especially on surfaces with varying friction.
Variable Electric Power-Assisted Steering
The variable electric power-assisted steering system was a market first, offering speed-sensitive assist. An electric motor concentrically mounted around the steering rack provided assist at lower speeds and reduced assistance at higher speeds for direct steering feel. For 1995, this system became standard on all NSX models.
Wheels and Tires
Forged aluminum alloy wheels further reduced unsprung weight while providing high strength. Rear wheels were 17 inches, and front wheels were 16 inches. Uniquely designed tires, developed in collaboration with Yokohama and Bridgestone, provided exceptional traction, handling, and feedback, allowing drivers to confidently explore the car’s limits. Larger, lower aspect ratio tires introduced in 1994 were carried over, enhancing handling and cornering capabilities.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of the 1995 Acura NSX
The 1995 Acura NSX, in both coupe and NSX-T forms, represented a paradigm shift in the exotic sports car world. It wasn’t just about raw power or striking looks; it was about a holistic approach to performance, blending cutting-edge technology, meticulous engineering, and a driver-centric philosophy. From its lightweight aluminum chassis and VTEC engine to its refined interior and advanced handling, the 1995 NSX set new standards for reliability, driveability, and overall excellence in the exotic car segment. The introduction of the NSX-T further broadened its appeal, offering the thrill of open-top driving without compromising the core values of performance and sophistication. The 1995 Acura NSX remains a highly sought-after classic, a testament to Acura’s vision and engineering prowess.
