Honda NSX gets upgraded for 2019

Honda has updated its hybrid supercar, the NSX, for 2019. As well as introducing a few subtle visual tweaks, the NSX has been made not only easier to live with, but sharper to drive too.

To achieve these opposite goals Honda has increased the range of the NSX’s active magnetorheological dampers. They are now able to provide a softer, more comfortable ride when the car is in its Quiet driving mode, but remain just as firm as before when Sport+ or Track mode is selected.

As well as recalibrated dampers, Honda has replaced the anti-roll bars with thicker versions and given the NSX some stickier rubber. The new front anti-roll bar is 26 per cent stiffer, while the rear is 19 per cent stiffer, while the new tyre is Continental’s latest SportContact 6, which has been specifically altered to suit the NSX.

> Read our review of the Honda NSX

To complement the chassis changes, Honda has redesigned the rear hubs and the control-arm bushes to make them more durable, as well as recalibrating the software that controls the car’s hybrid powertrain, the steering and the traction and stability control systems.

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The NSX’s powertrain has been left untouched, so the 2019 car still has the same 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 aided by an electric motor driving the rear axle, plus two electric motors to power the front wheels. In total the NSX has 573bhp and 476lb ft of torque at its disposal, and it can accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 2.9sec, just as before.

Although under the skin is where the important changes have been made, the revised NSXs can be identified by body-coloured grille trim instead of chrome, while the main grille inserts in the front and rear bumpers are now gloss black. There’s a new external colour, too: Thermal Orange Pearlescent. The calipers of the carbon-ceramic brakes can also be painted in this new hue.

The only interior changes are a selection of new colours: the 2019 car can be specified with a full red leather interior or blue Alcantara and leather trim.