Tag Archives: JAS Motorsport

Pininfarina and JAS Revive a Legend: The Honda NSX Reborn as the Tensei

In a world where the restomod scene has become a playground for dreamers with deep pockets and deeper nostalgia, it was only a matter of time before someone turned their attention to one of Japan’s greatest hits. Enter Tensei, a meticulously reimagined first-gen Honda NSX brought back to life by two giants of the automotive world: Pininfarina and JAS Motorsport.

The original NSX—Honda’s aluminum, mid-engine two-seater that stunned the world at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show—has long been considered untouchable. With development input from Ayrton Senna and engineering precision that challenged Ferrari at its own game, the first NSX earned its place among Japan’s all-time greats. Its successor never enjoyed the same mythos, making the original the obvious canvas for a modern resurrection.

A Faithful Form, Modern Materials

Pininfarina’s approach to the Tensei is refreshingly respectful. Rather than reinvent the NSX’s silhouette, the Italian studio chose to celebrate it. The restomod keeps the essential cues that made the original iconic: the canopy-style roofline inspired by the F-16 fighter jet, the distinctive glass curvature, and the low, purposeful stance.

But nostalgia only goes so far. Every exterior panel has been re-created in carbon fiber, wrapped tightly over the original aluminum chassis. The changes in shape are subtle—blink and you might miss them—but they’re purposeful, sharpening the car’s surfaces without erasing its heritage. Modern LED lighting replaces the original pop-ups, while ultra-light wheels with center-lock nuts sit over a beefed-up braking system that looks ready for track duty.

As for the interior? Pininfarina is keeping that part of the story out of the spotlight for now. No cabin photos have been released, which suggests something special is brewing behind those doors.

A Reborn V6 With Racing DNA

If you were worried the Tensei would trade mechanical soul for batteries and silence, relax. JAS Motorsport—Honda’s longtime racing partner—has confirmed that the car will stick with the NSX’s original naturally aspirated 3.0-liter V6. But calling it “original” is almost misleading.

The engine has reportedly undergone a full, motorsport-grade rework, promising sharper throttle response, more power, and stronger torque. No numbers yet, but the upgrades aim to enrich the car’s character rather than inflate the spec sheet. Best of all, the Tensei comes exclusively with a six-speed manual, sending power straight to the rear wheels—just like the NSX should.

Built for the Few, Priced for the Elite

How many Tensei units will be built? No one’s talking. But insiders expect the run to be extremely limited, with pricing likely approaching the stratosphere occupied by another restomod superstar: Singer’s reimagined Porsche 911s. If that proves true, the Tensei won’t just be a collector’s car—it’ll be a collector’s badge of honor.

The Tensei appears to be exactly what a restomod NSX should be: faithful, focused, and obsessively crafted. Pininfarina brings elegance; JAS brings racing pedigree; the NSX brings its own legend. If the final product lives up to the names behind it, the Tensei could become one of the most desirable Japanese restomods ever built.

And for those lucky enough to get one next year? They won’t just be buying a car. They’ll be buying the rebirth of a masterpiece.

Source: JAS Motorsport

JAS Motorsport and Pininfarina Are Building the Ultimate Honda NSX Restomod

When a company known for building race-winning touring cars decides to turn its attention to road-going legends, you pay attention. Italian motorsport specialist JAS Motorsport, long associated with Honda’s factory racing efforts, has announced its first road car project: a restomod Honda NSX designed in collaboration with none other than Pininfarina.

If that combination doesn’t get your pulse racing, check it again.

Faithful Form, Sharper Focus

Early teaser images show a car that reverently nods to the 1990 original—the everyday supercar that embarrassed Ferrari and forever changed how we think about mid-engine handling. The pop-up headlights remain, as does the subtle rear spoiler, but the stance is lower, meaner, and unmistakably modern.

The front light reflectors have been replaced by crisp LED daytime running lights, and a large hood duct evokes the hardcore NSX-R of the early 2000s. Around back, a deep rear diffuser echoes the same racer-for-the-road energy.

But the biggest change isn’t visual—it’s structural. The NSX was the world’s first production car with a full aluminum monocoque, but JAS is replacing that pioneering skin with a carbon-fiber body, promising both weight savings and rigidity gains. The restomod will be available in left- and right-hand-drive, signaling that JAS is courting both European and Japanese purists.

Naturally Aspirated Nostalgia

In an era when even Ferrari is hybridizing its icons, JAS is proudly keeping things naturally aspirated. Power will come from a V6 paired with a six-speed manual, just like the original. The team says the engine is “NSX-inspired,” which leaves plenty of room for speculation—perhaps a heavily reworked version of the 3.0-liter C30A, or maybe an all-new powerplant designed in the spirit of that high-revving masterpiece.

Whatever it is, expect it to sound glorious.

A Sign of the Times

For years, restomods have been the playground of Porsche 911s, Jaguar E-Types, and Ford Mustangs—machines with European or American heritage. Japanese icons were often left in the wings, with the occasional Datsun 240Z revival breaking through the noise.

That’s changing. With NSX prices now topping £100,000 for clean, manual examples, the car’s reputation as a bona fide modern classic is cemented. And JAS’s entry into the scene gives Japan’s ’90s halo car the kind of craftsmanship and reverence usually reserved for Stuttgart and Maranello.

The new JAS NSX restomod will make its full debut early next year, and if the teasers are any indication, it’s shaping up to be something truly special—a fusion of Japanese precision and Italian passion, built for drivers who remember what a perfect steering rack feels like.

In a world obsessed with batteries and boost, that’s something worth celebrating.

Source: Autocar

JAS Motorsport and Pininfarina Team Up for a Mysterious New Sports Car

Two legends from very different corners of the automotive world are joining forces to create what could be one of the most intriguing performance cars of the decade.

In a surprising but exhilarating announcement, JAS Motorsport — Honda’s long-standing motorsport partner — has revealed it is developing a new high-performance road car in collaboration with none other than the legendary Italian design house, Pininfarina.

This unexpected alliance brings together two powerhouse names in the automotive sphere. JAS Motorsport has been a dominant force in global motorsport since 1998, winning accolades across touring car and rally championships with its engineering prowess and race-bred know-how. Meanwhile, Pininfarina stands as a beacon of timeless design — the stylistic mastermind behind countless iconic machines from Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, and more. Together, they promise a blend of raw performance and refined artistry.

A Legend Reimagined

Details about the upcoming car remain closely guarded, and the project is still cloaked in secrecy. Aside from a lone teaser image and a few carefully worded statements, little is known about the design or the drivetrain. However, Pininfarina has offered a tantalizing clue: the new car will be a modern reinterpretation of “one of the most legendary sports cars of the past.”

While speculation runs wild — with enthusiasts already imagining which classic could be reborn — one thing is clear: this car aims to marry nostalgia with cutting-edge technology. According to early reports, the platform will be mechanically focused, incorporating the latest advancements in performance engineering while staying true to the spirit of its inspiration.

Crafted for the Collector

If exclusivity is your thing, this car checks all the right boxes. Pininfarina has confirmed it will be produced in Milan in an “extremely limited series,” making it a sure-fire collectible for connoisseurs and enthusiasts alike. With production numbers expected to be in the double digits — or at most low triple digits — this will be more than just a car. It will be a statement.

The official unveiling is slated for 2026, and both companies have hinted at a slow reveal strategy — gradually disclosing more information as the date approaches. If early whispers are anything to go by, this collaboration has the potential to deliver a truly memorable machine — a car that blends the purity of motorsport with the elegance of Italian design.

Until then, we wait. But if JAS Motorsport and Pininfarina live up to even half of their combined reputations, we’re in for something extraordinary.

Source: JAS Motorsport