Reborn Precision - Even in an age dominated by electrification and software-defined driving, there’s still a special thrill in seeing a familiar silhouette return to the spotlight.
That feeling began some time ago,
when a mysterious teaser circulated and hinted at a new project from JAS Motorsport.
Recently,
the company finally revealed the name behind that long-rumoured creation:
Tensei,
a Japanese word meaning “rebirth.” It’s a fitting title for a collaboration between JAS and Pininfarina —
Honda’s longtime motorsport partner joining forces with Italy’s renowned design studio to revisit the Mk1 Honda NSX,
a car forever linked to Ayrton Senna and the purity of early-1990s engineering.
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| The JAS Tensei is built on an original first-generation NSX chassis, a deliberate choice that preserves the structural essence of the legendary model. (Picture from: JASMotorsport) |
The project starts from an authentic place:
each Tensei is built on an original first-generation NSX chassis, a deliberate choice that preserves the structural essence of the legendary model. From this foundation,
Pininfarina constructs an all-new carbon-fibre body using advanced composite manufacturing techniques.
The exterior keeps the original car’s compact mid-engined stance but expresses it with updated proportions,
sharper surfacing,
and significantly refined aerodynamics. Airflow has been completely re-evaluated using motorsport-grade simulations to enhance cooling efficiency, increase stability, and reduce drag — all while maintaining a form that still resonates with the spirit of the 1990 icon.
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| The JAS Tensei, set for a 2026 unveiling, emerges as a modern reinterpretation of the iconic NSX, offering a renewed yet authentic character in an era rapidly shaped by new technologies. (Picture from: TopGear) |
Beneath the sculpted carbon fibre sits a powertrain that honours Honda’s engineering roots.
JAS Motorsport has developed a naturally aspirated V6 inspired by the C30A architecture of the original NSX, tuned for high responsiveness, linear delivery, and a wide rev range that rewards enthusiastic driving.
This engine sends power to the rear axle through a six-speed manual gearbox,
a conscious decision to retain the analog,
mechanically connected feel that made the first NSX so admired. It reflects
JAS’s stated philosophy that
Tensei should blend modern capability with a driving experience rooted in direct engagement rather than electronic filtering.
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| The JAS Tensei exterior keeps the original car’s compact mid-engined stance but expresses it with updated proportions, sharper surfacing, and significantly refined aerodynamics. (Picture from: JASMotorsport) |
The influence of JAS’s three decades of competition work is just as evident in the chassis. The suspension, steering, and braking systems draw from the brand’s touring car and endurance racing development, integrating lightweight forged aluminium parts, carbon-composite elements, and competition-grade damping. These choices aim to deliver precise handling, consistent braking, and confident behaviour on both road and track.
Inside,
Pininfarina applies a driver-focused redesign using leather,
Alcantara, and exposed carbon fibre.
The cockpit embraces contemporary ergonomics while keeping analog instrumentation and a clean, decluttered layout that mirrors the philosophy of
the original NSX.
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| The JAS Tensei carries a sculpted carbon-fibre body over a powertrain that honors Honda’s engineering roots, featuring a naturally aspirated V6 developed by JAS Motorsport and inspired by the original NSX’s C30A architecture. (Picture from: JASMotorsport) |
For JAS Motorsport,
Tensei represents a major milestone: the company’s first street-legal vehicle after more than 30 years dedicated exclusively to racing.
Each example will be hand-assembled in limited numbers at JAS’s Arluno facility, reflecting a commitment to craftsmanship as much as performance.
With the official unveiling scheduled for 2026,
the Tensei stands as a modern interpretation of a beloved supercar — neither a mere recreation nor a nostalgic echo, but a thoughtful renewal of a machine whose character still resonates in a world rapidly shifting toward new technologies.
*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | JASMOTORSPORT | JASMOTORSPORT IN X | CARROZZIERI-ITALIANI | TOPGEAR | TIME ATTACK MANILA IN FACEBOOK ]Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
