CARS Updated 2026-05-14 2 pending verification

Honda NSX: Cross-Game Profile of Honda’s Mid-Engine Icon in Forza Horizon (NA1, NA2, NC1)

Honda’s NSX is the mid-engine supercar that Ayrton Senna helped tune at Suzuka and the Nurburgring before it ever reached production. This page is a cross-game profile of the NSX in Forza Horizon: the three first-generation NSX-R variants confirmed in both Forza Horizon 5 and Forza Horizon 6 (launching 2026-05-19, five days from today, 2026-05-14), plus the real-world story of the NA1, NA2, and NC1 (Acura) generations. Where in-game FH6 stats are not yet published they are marked (unconfirmed).

Key Facts

Field	Value
NA1 production years	1990–2001 (model years 1991–2001)
NA2 production years	2002–2005 (final NSX-R 2002–2005, last car built December 2005)
NC1 production years	May 2016 – 2022 (Type S models 2022)
NA1 engine	Honda C30A 2,977 cc V6 — 270 hp (201 kW / 274 PS), 210 lb-ft (285 N·m)
NA2 engine	Honda C32B 3,179 cc V6 — 290 hp (216 kW / 294 PS), 224 lb-ft (304 N·m)
NC1 engine	JNC1 3,493 cc twin-turbo V6 + 3 electric motors — 573 hp combined (Type S: 602 hp)
1992 NSX-R kerb weight	1,230 kg
2002 NSX-R kerb weight	1,270 kg
Ayrton Senna’s role	Tested NA1 prototype at Suzuka 1989; criticised chassis stiffness; Honda increased monocoque rigidity by 50% after his feedback
FH5 NSX variants	1992 Honda NSX-R, 2005 Honda NSX-R, 2005 Honda NSX-R GT
FH6 confirmed NSX variants	1992 Honda NSX-R, 2005 Honda NSX-R, 2005 Honda NSX-R GT
FH6 NC1 / Acura NSX	(unconfirmed) — not on official forza.net confirmed list as of 2026-05-14
FH6 PI and stats	(unconfirmed)

The NSX in a Nutshell: From Suzuka Prototype to Forza Icon

The Honda NSX (badged Acura NSX in North America) debuted in 1990 as the world’s first all-aluminum mass-production supercar. Two generations exist: the mid-engine, naturally-aspirated first-gen (chassis codes NA1 1990–2001 and NA2 2002–2005), and the hybrid twin-turbo second-gen NC1 (2016–2022). The first generation is the one Forza fans know best: in Forza Horizon 5 and the confirmed list for Forza Horizon 6, Honda is represented by three NSX-R variants — the 1992 NSX-R, the 2005 NSX-R, and the 2005 NSX-R GT homologation special.

The NSX project (“New Sportscar eXperimental”) was Honda’s answer to Ferrari’s 328 and 348, but with Honda reliability and a focus on usability. Production ran from 1990 to 2005 for the first generation and resumed with the hybrid NC1 in May 2016, continuing through Type S models in 2022.

The NSX-R designation identifies the most focused, stripped variants: the 1992 car cut roughly 120 kg from the standard NA1 by deleting sound deadening, the audio system, spare tyre, air conditioning, and traction control. The 2002 NSX-R went further still with carbon-fibre body panels and deletion of power steering, achieving a kerb weight of 1,270 kg despite using the heavier NA2 platform. These weight-reduction philosophies are preserved in the Forza models — the 1992 NSX-R weighs 1,230 kg in-game, and the 2005 NSX-R checks in at 1,270 kg.

Ayrton Senna’s Role in NSX Development

In 1989, while testing his Honda-powered McLaren MP4/5 at Suzuka, Ayrton Senna was invited by Honda engineers to evaluate a near-finished NSX prototype between F1 sessions. His verdict was blunt: the car felt fragile and the chassis lacked stiffness.

“Honda went back to testing — with Senna in the cockpit, and after eight months the aluminium monocoque was 50 per cent stiffer.”

Development continued at the Nurburgring, where Senna was invited back to fine-tune the suspension. He pushed Honda to retain genuine ride comfort rather than copy the rock-hard setups typical of period supercars — an ethos that shaped the NSX’s daily-driver reputation. The production NA1 that reached customers in 1990 owed its monocoque rigidity and balanced suspension calibration directly to Senna’s two test sessions.

This story matters in Forza because the 1992 NSX-R — the lightest and most aggressive NA1 variant at 1,230 kg — is the closest Forza fans can get to the chassis Senna helped develop. Every lap you take in the 1992 NSX-R in FH5 or FH6 is in a car whose fundamental structure was shaped by one of motorsport’s greatest drivers arguing with Honda engineers in a pit garage at Suzuka.

NA1 vs NA2 vs NC1: Real-World Spec Comparison

Spec	NA1 (1990–2001)	NA2 (2002–2005)	NC1 (2016–2022)
Engine	C30A 3.0L V6 NA	C32B 3.2L V6 NA (manual)	JNC1 3.5L twin-turbo V6 + 3 motors
Layout	Mid-engine, RWD	Mid-engine, RWD	Mid-engine, AWD hybrid
Power	270 hp / 201 kW	290 hp / 216 kW	573 hp combined (Type S: 602 hp)
Torque	210 lb-ft (285 N·m)	224 lb-ft (304 N·m)	406 lb-ft (550 N·m) engine alone
Curb weight	1,370–1,435 kg	~1,410 kg (NSX-R: 1,270 kg)	~1,776 kg
NSX-R weight	1,230 kg (1992–95)	1,270 kg (2002–05)	n/a (no Type R)
Headlights	Pop-up to 2001	Fixed, restyled nose	All-new platform

The two NSX-R generations Forza features are stripped, focused homologation-style cars: the 1992 NSX-R loses sound deadening, the audio system, spare tyre, A/C, and traction control for a ~120 kg weight cut over the standard NA1; the 2002 NSX-R adds carbon-fibre bodywork and deletes power steering for roughly another 100 kg saved over the stock NA2.

The NC1 represents a generational step change rather than a refinement. Its combined 573 hp hybrid output dwarfs both naturally-aspirated predecessors, and the switch to AWD changes the handling character fundamentally. There is no NSX-R variant for the NC1 — Honda built a Type S limited edition instead, boosting output to 602 hp for the final 350 cars sold globally.

Honda NSX in Forza Horizon 5: Verified Stats

All three FH5 NSX variants are stock-tune values from the official Forza Horizon 5 database on KudosPrime:

Variant	PI	Class	Top Speed	0–97 km/h	Weight	Price
1992 Honda NSX-R	691	B	275.2 km/h	4.700 s	1,230 kg	90,000 CR
2005 Honda NSX-R	691	B	282.8 km/h	4.584 s	1,270 kg	150,000 CR
2005 Honda NSX-R GT	725	A	284.9 km/h	4.5 s	1,270 kg	500,000 CR

The 1992 NSX-R and 2005 NSX-R sit in the same B-class PI bracket (691) — the 2005 car is heavier but slightly faster in a straight line. The 1992 car’s in-game power figure is listed as 206 kW, giving it the best power-to-weight ratio of any stock NSX-R in FH5 at 0.167 kW/kg.

The 2005 NSX-R GT is the homologation special built to legalise Honda’s Super GT race car; it jumps to A class (725 PI) and is the most expensive of the three at 500,000 credits. The NSX-R GT is locked out of the Autoshow in FH5 and must be earned via the Festival Playlist, Season Events, the Forza Shop, or Backstage Pass.

All three cars are confirmed on the every Honda in Forza Horizon 5 brand page.

Honda NSX in Forza Horizon 6: Confirmed Variants

As of today (2026-05-14, five days before FH6 launches on 2026-05-19), Playground Games has confirmed the same three NSX-R variants for Forza Horizon 6 on the official forza.net car list:

1992 Honda NSX-R (NA1)
2005 Honda NSX-R (NA2)
2005 Honda NSX-R GT (NA2 homologation special)

The second-generation NC1 (2017+ Acura NSX, including the 2022 NSX Type S) is not on the confirmed FH6 list (unconfirmed). It has appeared in earlier Forza Motorsport titles but has historically been absent from mainline Horizon entries since FH4. Until Xbox Wire or forza.net officially confirms it, treat any rumour of an NC1 NSX in FH6 as unverified.

In-game FH6 stats — PI, top speed, in-game horsepower — are not yet published for any NSX variant and are (unconfirmed). Given Playground Games’ historical pattern of keeping PI values close to FH5 with minor handling-model retuning, the 1992 NSX-R and 2005 NSX-R are expected to remain B-class and the 2005 NSX-R GT A-class on Day 1, but this has not been confirmed. See every Honda in Forza Horizon 6 for the full brand list once FH6 launches.

Tuned NSX-R builds can reach S1 class; see the best S1-class cars in Forza Horizon 6 list for context.

Which NSX Should You Pick in Forza?

Pick the 1992 NSX-R if you want the purest Senna-developed driving experience and the lightest, most agile B-class entry-level supercar. At 1,230 kg with 206 kW it has the best power-to-weight of any stock NSX-R in FH5 (0.167 kW/kg). This is the car to tune if you want a nimble, naturally-aspirated B-class build.

Pick the 2005 NSX-R if you want slightly more straight-line punch (282.8 km/h vs 275.2 km/h top speed in FH5) and the more usable, refined NA2 chassis. Identical PI (691) to the 1992 car means it is a sideways step in class rather than an upgrade, so choice comes down to driving style and preference for the stiffer, more track-focused NA2 character.

Pick the 2005 NSX-R GT if you want the rarest, most aggressive NSX in any Forza game. The aero kit, A-class PI of 725, and 284.9 km/h top speed make it the only NSX that can compete in A-class racing without tuning. The trade-off is the 500,000 CR price and limited access via Festival Playlist rewards in FH5 — expect a similar acquisition path in FH6.

For cross-comparison with other JDM mid-engine icons, see the FH6 JDM drift and grip picks list and the R34 vs Supra MK4 comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Honda NSX in Forza Horizon 6?

Yes. Three first-generation NSX variants are confirmed on the official forza.net car list: the 1992 NSX-R (NA1), the 2005 NSX-R (NA2), and the 2005 NSX-R GT homologation special.

Is the second-generation Acura NSX (NC1) in Forza Horizon 6?

Not as of 2026-05-14 (unconfirmed). The 2017+ NC1 NSX and the 2022 NSX Type S are not on the official forza.net confirmed FH6 car list. Any inclusion would need confirmation from Playground Games or Xbox Wire.

Did Ayrton Senna really help develop the Honda NSX?

Yes. Senna tested an NSX prototype at Suzuka in 1989 and told Honda the chassis felt fragile. Honda engineers responded by increasing the aluminum monocoque’s stiffness by 50% over eight months of additional testing — with Senna in the cockpit at the Nurburgring.

What’s the difference between NA1 and NA2 NSX?

The NA1 (1990–2001) used the 3.0L C30A V6 making 270 hp. The NA2 (2002–2005) received the larger 3.2L C32B V6 making 290 hp (manual cars), plus a major exterior refresh that replaced the pop-up headlights with fixed units. The 2002 NSX-R also added carbon-fibre bodywork.

Which NSX is fastest in Forza Horizon 5?

In stock tune, the 2005 Honda NSX-R GT — 284.9 km/h top speed, 4.5 s 0–97 km/h, 725 PI (A-class). The 2005 NSX-R is the fastest B-class NSX at 282.8 km/h.

How do you get the 2005 NSX-R GT in Forza Horizon 5?

It is not in the Autoshow. It must be earned through Festival Playlist rewards, Season Events, the Forza Shop, or Backstage Pass. Expect a similar locked-acquisition path in FH6.

Why does Forza use the Honda badge instead of Acura for the NSX?

In all global markets except North America, the NSX was sold as a Honda. Forza’s car list uses the Honda branding for the first-generation NSX-R variants, which were JDM-spec cars never officially sold under the Acura badge.

Sources

Pending verification: key_facts.fh6_nc1_acura_nsx, key_facts.fh6_pi_and_stats