Pininfarina and JAS Reveal the V6-Engined JAS Tensei by Pininfarina

Pininfarina and JAS have revealed the finished Tensei, a modified Mk1 Honda NSX featuring a 3.4-litre Judd-developed V6 engine pushing 414bhp to the rear wheels.

Italian designer Pininfarina has partnered with long-time Honda collaborator JAS to create the JAS Tensei by Pininfarina, bringing the project to its final production stage for a small group of customers, according to Topgear. The original Mk1 Honda NSX, famously christened by Ayrton Senna and initially previewed by an HP-X concept designed by Pininfarina, has returned in a heavily redesigned form.

JUDD Power Expands Honda V6 Displacement to 3.4 Litres

At the heart of the Tensei sits a thoroughly redeveloped V6. JAS enlisted JUDD Power—the engine development outfit founded by John Judd Jr and Sir Jack Brabham—to upgrade Honda’s original 3.0-litre unit, which originally produced between 250bhp and 290bhp. JUDD retained Honda’s block and angle while expanding displacement to 3.4 litres, adding a new short-stroke steel crank, and fitting lightweight alloy heads featuring aggressive cams and titanium valves, as reported by Topgear.

The build removes VTEC in favour of a fixed-timing racing valvetrain and individual throttle bodies. It revs to 8,500rpm. A carbon fibre intake plenum and Inconel exhaust give the car an acoustic profile meant to evoke 1990s Grand Prix engines. Equipped with a dry sump and scavenge pump, the entire engine is mounted 45mm lower and pairs with a six-speed gearbox and limited-slip differential to deliver 414bhp to the rear wheels, according to Topgear.

Pininfarina Uses Carbon Fibre to Reduce Dry Weight

JAS reinforced the NSX’s aluminium structure at key points including the A-pillars, B-pillars, and central tunnel. The car also features revised suspension geometry, four-way adjustable KW dampers, Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, and electric power steering tuned to provide an analogue feel. Pininfarina crafted all body panels from carbon fibre, resulting in a dry weight of just 1,250kg. The exterior is wider and longer than the original, swapping slender lines for a steroidal stance while retaining pop-up headlights operated by a servo-assisted opening system with impact sensors and titanium kinematics, as detailed by Topgear.

Inside, the Nineties-spec materials give way to a premium cabin featuring a single-piece carbon fibre dashboard, leather and black Alcantara inserts, carbon fibre Sabelt seats, an Alcantara steering wheel, and OLED screens.