The Best Supercar Never Made—This is the Honda HP-X!
Published on March 4, 2025
The Honda NSX Predecessor… Right?
The iconic Honda HP-X Concept, restored to its former glory, is now on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum. It has seen much since its debut at the 1984 Turin Auto Show. But it looks familiar, right? Designed by Pininfarina (the P in the nomenclature,) and meant to be displayed alongside the Ferrari Testarossa, it set the benchmark for the design philosophy Honda would have going forward for any supercar projects.
It was Honda’s first concept car and the predecessor to the iconic NSX supercar. The concept car pushed the boundaries of automotive design and technology, featuring advanced aero such as “ground effects” and innovative cooling solutions for its mid-mounted 2.0L V6 engine derived from Honda’s racing engine. Its futuristic design included a jet-fighter-style Perspex canopy, which also served as a driver-controlled air brake.
Unfortunately, it was not to be. It was never intended to be a production car, but one can dream.
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