Earlier this year, we reported that JAS Motorsport (the Italian outfit responsible for building the NSX GT3 racer) was teaming up with Pininfarina to revive the ’80s-era Honda NSX in the form of a carbon-bodied reimagining. The teaser images were enough to make any automotive enthusiast salivate, but we weren’t promised more info — or even a name — until 2026.
Well, mark this down as the rare instance when we get what we want earlier than we expect it. JAS has just pulled the cover off its upcoming retro-inspired supercar, and we even know what it will be called: Tensei.
Racing Expertise Meets Design Heritage
For the uninitiated, JAS Motorsport isn’t some upstart with a rendering and a dream. The Milan-based firm has been Honda’s official racing partner since 1998, racking up World Championships and over 900 race victories along the way. Their Civic Type R TCR just had its most successful season ever, and they’re the brains behind the NSX GT3 that’s been terrorizing tracks globally. If anyone understands what makes a Honda work at the limit, it’s these guys.
The Pininfarina connection runs even deeper. Back in 1984, the Italian design house penned the HP-X concept that would eventually evolve into the production NSX. So having them return to reimagine the car they helped create four decades later feels kismet, to say the least.
Carbon, Competition, and a Six-Speed
Tensei — Japanese for “rebirth” — starts with a donor first-generation NSX and strips it down to its essence. The entire body gets reconstructed in carbon fiber, with Pininfarina’s styling striking that tricky balance between honoring the original’s iconic silhouette and giving it the presence to compete with modern builds. Thankfully, the pop-up headlights make a return, but the proportions have been tightened up. The original NSX had an oddly long rear overhang and narrow track; this version fixes both issues with wider fenders, aggressive intakes, and an overall more capable stance.
Under that carbon skin sits a naturally aspirated V6 that JAS has tuned using their three decades of motorsport experience. Power figures haven’t been disclosed yet, but considering the original topped out around 290hp in its final 3.2-liter form, expect something considerably more potent. The transmission is a six-speed manual, which means no paddle shifters or no dual-clutch.
The cabin gets the Pininfarina treatment too, staying true to Honda’s original philosophy that a car’s quality is determined by whether it inspires enthusiasm in the driver. Both left- and right-hand drive configurations will be available, which is a thoughtful touch for a car this exclusive.
Spec Sheet
Model: JAS Tensei
Base Vehicle: 1990-generation Honda NSX (donor car)
Body: Carbon fiber (Pininfarina design)
Engine: Naturally aspirated V6 (NSX-inspired, competition-derived)
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Production Location: JAS Motorsport Atelier, Arluno, Milan
Drive Configurations: Left- or right-hand drive
Edition: Ultra-limited series production
Pricing & Availability
JAS revealed the Tensei name to select customers at Fuji Raceway last mongth, which suggests they’re already taking orders. A full global reveal with specs is scheduled for the first half of 2026, at which point we’ll also find out production numbers and pricing.
Recap
JAS Motorsport Tensei Honda NSX
JAS Motorsport and Pininfarina just revealed their carbon-bodied NSX revival called Tensei, and it’s everything we hoped for — pop-up headlights intact, naturally aspirated V6, six-speed manual, and decades of racing expertise baked in. Full details drop in early 2026, but they’re already showing it to select customers, which means this thing is actually happening.
