Tensei: Pininfarina And JAS Motorsport Rebirth The NSX In A Way Honda Never Would
The rebirth of the original Honda NSX—now called Tensei, meaning “rebirth”—is more than a restomod. It is an emotional restoration of one of the most influential performance cars ever created, executed not by Honda itself but by two entities with deep roots in the car’s origin story: Pininfarina and JAS Motorsport. The partnership feels almost destined. It was Pininfarina’s early collaboration with Honda in the 1980s that produced the HP-X concept, the spiritual seed that grew into the production NSX of 1990. JAS Motorsport, on the other hand, has spent decades developing race-winning Hondas, refining the brand’s identity in global motorsport. By joining forces, these two Italian powerhouses have created something Honda never would, or perhaps never dared: a next-generation reinterpretation of the first-gen NSX that stays faithful to its DNA while elevating every surface, proportion, and component into modern supercar territory. The result is a machine built not for nostalgia, but for legacy, capturing everything enthusiasts loved about the NA1 while shaping it with materials, stance, and engineering that the original engineers could have only dreamed of. Tensei is not simply a tribute; it is the NSX reborn as a modern icon.
Design: Familiar Silhouette, Sharpened With Modern Aggression
What makes the Tensei so astonishing is the way Pininfarina has pushed the NSX’s form into the present without erasing the elements that made the original instantly iconic. The NA1’s signature black canopy is preserved, as are the pop-up headlights—an almost sacred design feature long abandoned in contemporary automotive design. Yet Pininfarina refused to create a time capsule. Every panel of the body is now rendered in full carbon fiber, sculpted with modern aerodynamic logic and muscular new proportions. The swollen front fenders sit over deeper side vents, the shoulders are broader, the stance is wider, and the rear track is visually recalibrated to eliminate the slightly awkward narrow-hipped look of the original. Even details like the NSX-R-style hood vent and larger quarter intake channels communicate that this is a machine meant for higher performance. LED lighting replaces 1990s hardware, but tastefully, subtly, never diminishing the essence. The signature hoop spoiler remains, reshaped in carbon to appear lighter and more sculptural. The wheels are modern but not distractingly so. JAS badges replace Honda’s—an intentional distinction that underscores that this project is spiritual, not corporate. The Tensei carries the torch of the original NSX without pretending to be it.
Carbon Craftsmanship And Race-Born Aerodynamics
The all-carbon bodywork of the Tensei is not simply for aesthetic impact; it is central to the car’s aerodynamic revisions and performance philosophy. JAS Motorsport has leveraged its three decades of racing success—from touring cars to GT machinery—to overhaul the airflow dynamics around the NSX platform. This is a restomod engineered with motorsport methodology, not tuning-shop theatrics. The redesigned front fascia channels air more efficiently through the hood vent and beneath the chassis, improving high-speed stability. The enlarged side intakes allow the upgraded V6 to breathe more deeply, while the rear body contours shape airflow toward improved cooling and rear-end downforce. The widened stance reduces drag while enhancing mechanical grip. The carbon construction also brings a substantial reduction in mass, which—paired with increased rigidity—transforms the underlying chassis beyond anything Honda ever delivered from the factory. This is a car meant to feel sharper, more immediate, and more surgically precise than the original. Yet none of the racing-inspired technology overshadows the NSX’s original mission of usability. Tensei is a road car first and foremost, designed to be driven, not admired under museum lights.
A Reawakened V6: Naturally Aspirated, Manual, And Pure
At the heart of Tensei is the original NSX’s naturally aspirated 3.0-liter V6—an engine revered not for brute force but for its character, response, and melodically mechanical personality. Rather than replace it, JAS Motorsport has meticulously reworked it to achieve what the company calls the “highest levels of power, torque, and responsiveness.” Specific figures will not be revealed until closer to launch, but expectations lean toward a significant jump from the original 270 horsepower. The upgrades are expected to include internal strengthening, revised intake and exhaust systems, rebalanced rotating components, and higher-precision engine management, all executed with motorsport discipline. For purists, the most thrilling decision is that the engine is paired exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox—no paddles, no hybridization, no dual-clutch compromise. The powertrain philosophy mirrors the larger ethos of the project: elevate the original without diluting its soul. The result will likely be one of the most emotionally engaging powertrains of any modern restomod, preserving the purity of the NA1’s analog experience while unlocking the performance potential that the 1990s technology could not.
Interior Philosophy: A Modern Cockpit With Retro Roots
Although interior images have not yet been released, Pininfarina has confirmed that the cabin will remain true to the NSX’s original spirit while receiving modern upgrades in materials, technology, ergonomics, and build quality. Expect the iconic low cowl and excellent visibility—core elements of the NSX’s design—as well as a driver-centered cockpit that prioritizes engagement over digital spectacle. The analog ethos will remain, but refined with higher-grade materials, reengineered switchgear, updated instrumentation, and supportive new seating. The challenge Pininfarina faces is maintaining the NSX’s famous simplicity while integrating contemporary expectations. The result is likely to be an interior that feels timeless rather than retro, much like the exterior: respectful of heritage, but not enslaved by it. Early hints suggest that carbon fiber, Alcantara, and leather will dominate the surfaces, paired with subtle modern conveniences that improve daily usability rather than distract from the driving experience. If executed as promised, the Tensei’s cabin will reflect the same philosophy as its exterior: a maturation of the original NSX concept into something more enduring, more premium, and more complete.
Ultra-Limited Production And Expected Pricing
While exact production numbers remain undisclosed, JAS Motorsport has already confirmed that the Tensei will be ultra-limited, likely placing it in the same rarity category as elite restomods from Singer, Kimera, Automobili Amos, or Gunther Werks. Given the complexity of the carbon bodywork, the bespoke engineering, and the fact that each example begins life as an original NSX chassis, availability will be scarce. Pricing has not been announced, but expectations from industry analysts and insiders suggest a figure easily within the high six-figure or seven-figure range. In other words, this is not a mass-market revival, nor is it intended to be. The Tensei is a collector-grade reinterpretation meant for patrons who understand the NSX’s legacy and appreciate the craftsmanship behind an artisanal, hand-built project. The private preview at Fuji Speedway in November indicates that pre-orders may already be underway among a select clientele, with the full global reveal slated for the first half of 2026. When that moment arrives, the Tensei will instantly become one of the most coveted and historically significant restomods of the decade.
A New Chapter In NSX History
The Tensei arrives at a time when the original NSX has ascended beyond cult status into genuine iconography. Ayrton Senna’s involvement, Honda’s engineering bravery, and the car’s long-standing reputation as the user-friendly supercar have cemented its legacy. While the second-generation NSX delivered impressive technology, it never captured the emotional spark of the original, leaving enthusiasts longing for a rebirth rooted in purity rather than hybrid complexity. Pininfarina and JAS Motorsport have delivered exactly that. Tensei is less a revival and more a philosophical continuation—what the NSX might have become had Honda continued evolving it as a lightweight, precision-focused, naturally aspirated supercar. It is a respectful evolution, not a reinvention. A celebration of the analog era at a time when such experiences are rapidly disappearing. Its carbon bodywork, modernized proportions, reengineered V6, and hand-built craftsmanship ensure that it stands as a bridge between past and present, reminding the world why the NSX mattered and why its spirit deserves to live on. Tensei is not just a car; it is a statement of reverence, restraint, and rebirth.
