2026 Honda NSX Tribute by Italdesign

The NSX Tribute by Italdesign stands out for its immediate dual reading of the body. The upper section in Championship White NH0 - a clear reference to the NSX-R version of the first generation - is pure emotion, while the lower area, with glossy black surfaces, is technical and racing-oriented.

The front end is the model's calling card and, recalling tradition, expresses Honda's strong and instantly recognizable identity through the shape of the letter "H": not a literal reproduction, but an evocation of the brand symbol, which returns on this tribute with the original red NSX-R emblem.

"We worked on the musculature of the car to give tension and dynamism, while maintaining the purity and cleanliness of the original lines," comments Cristiano Fracchia, Senior Exterior Designer at Italdesign. "We reintroduced the low, sleek proportions of the original model, with a sloping hood and a completely black greenhouse that lightens the silhouette and accentuates sportiness. At the front, the headlamp clusters are set in a glossy black fairing that emphasizes the car's 'gaze,' creating contrast with the surrounding surfaces, adding depth and reinforcing the perception of precision and sportiness. The eyelids replace the pop-up solution of the first generation and are treated stylistically with a contemporary language."

On the side, the car expresses power and speed, combining functional aesthetics and cutting-edge technology. The sculpted white surfaces contrast with the glossy black skirts, wheel arches, and roof. The C-pillar is covered by pronounced floating fins that conceal air intakes for engine cooling. Yokohama tires and wheels - 19" at the front and 20" at the rear - significantly enhance the racing look.

Every exterior component of the NSX Tribute by Italdesign is the result of rigorous study, where technical functions blend with aesthetic character.

"Our goal was to give the car an even more technical and performance-oriented character. We studied every aerodynamic appendage: spoilers, diffusers, skirts, extractors. Everything was designed to maximize performance without sacrificing expressiveness. The roof air intake is a clear reference to the one on the NSX-R GT version, a highly advanced engineering solution for its time and an integral part of the sophisticated aerodynamic management system," concludes Fracchia.

"At the rear, the distinctive feature is the reinterpretation of the historic spoiler," explains Gaspare Conticelli, Senior Exterior Designer at Italdesign. "The floating ring of the NSX, which improved high-speed stability, becomes a continuous, suspended, elegant, and functional visual element that expresses lightness and dynamism. The rear light clusters are not framed by a fairing as at the front but emerge individually from the black background. The underlying hot-air diffuser features functional grooves that recall the treatment applied to our recent concepts."

Inside, the philosophy is clear: intervening only where necessary, without distortion, aiming on one hand to refine a design inspired by the first NSX, and on the other to achieve a product close to production.

The inspiration comes from the double cockpit of the first generation, reinterpreted with a modern approach "and with elements that embrace driver and passenger, creating connection and continuity," comments Alessandro Trombin, Senior Interior Designer at Italdesign. "The insertion of elements running from the dashboard to the vents, defining the link with the door panel, creates sophisticated components inspired by Formula 1 single-seaters and contributes to generating continuity and a sense of wraparound."

Subtle details, such as the small helmet on the dashboard, the number 12, or the Honda script, are references to Ayrton Senna, designed for those who know the story.

Officially recognized by Honda, it is a philological homage to an icon of performance, reliability, and usability. It distills its essential values and translates them into a contemporary, tailor- made few-off project, curated end to end by Italdesign, from styling to engineering, through to ultra-limited series production.