TEN years ago the serious motoring enthusiast was faced with a new phenomenon - the Japanese supercar.
A market dominated by Porsche and Mercedes was suddenly hit by relatively inexpensive, sexy shapes from the Orient, and all with scintillating performance.
There was the Nissan 300ZX, the Toyota Supra, the Mitsubishi 3000GT and the pick of the bunch, the Honda NSX.
The latter two had an air of Ferrari about them but all delivered the goods in no uncertain fashion.
With the exception of the Honda, their secret was turbo-charging - and that was to prove their Achilles' heel. As European emissions legislation became more stringent these high performance engines could not make the grade.
But Honda being masters of engine technology never went down the turbo route. Instead they relied on advanced electronics to bring the best out of a normally aspirated engine. The result is the NSX is alive and kicking - and it is still a car that can blow your socks off.
Developing 280bhp from a 3.2 litre V6, it has slingshot performance. With the benefit of Honda's computerised VTEC valve timing system the NSX can hit 60mph from standstill in just 5.7 seconds.
The red line on the rev counter is well round the clock at the 8,000 mark and with a roar only a mid-engined V6 can produce it has the guts to get up to a claimed maximum of 168mph.
This is a real muscle machine aimed at the most demanding of drivers who expects a £63,000 car to be close to perfection.
Rear wheel drive with the benefit of an extraordinarily low centre of gravity thanks to the engine location gives the car superlative handling. That is enhanced by an advanced suspension set up plus the advantage of traction control.
From the driving seat it is a gem and despite its breathtaking power can still average around 23 miles to the gallon.
However the thrill that the NSX delivers has to be tempered with its new looks which, while being definitely distinctive, are by no means everyone's cup of tea.
It is very, very low slung - even by sports car standards - and the feeling of sitting on the floor is not an unfair description.
There may be a touch of the legendary Ford GT40 in the front styling but the curvy lines end at the cockpit - and behind, a huge expanse of rear end takes over. The latest NSX is 13ft 11ins long and just 3ft 11ins high but from the side the rear looks longer than the front and that creates a noticeable imbalance.
The interior too is primitive for a car in this league. There may be the requisite leather upholstery and trim but that sits around traditional Honda switchgear and you can get that in a car costing less than £10,000.
Inside this does not feel like a car that costs the same as a house - albeit one at the bottom of the property ladder.
The ambience may not be right but what is in there in terms of kit is akin to the performance - spot on. Climate control, cruise control, a multi-disc CD player and electrically adjustable seats are all standard fit.
But stowage space is limited to a tiny glovebox - filled by the handbook - and a small centre console. Boot space at five cubic feet is acceptable in a car of this ilk and it is deep enough to handle quite sizeable bags - even a suitcase.
An everyday car this is not. It is ideal for those special days when motoring can be enjoyed to the full - and it has one little trick up its sleeve that is a delight - a targa top.
Release two levers and in seconds away comes the roof to be stowed in the boot - at the expense of virtually all luggage space mind you - and the wonderful experience of open top motoring is up for grabs.
This is a car that genuinely offers one of the greatest drives around at the moment and from that respect the NSX is worth every penny.
The same cannot be said about the overall feel of the car. It is badly let down by the interior and that is why this Honda will never be a match for the great European marques.
FAST FACTS Honda NSX 3.2i
Price: £62,995
Mechanical: 220bhp, 3,179cc V6 engine driving rear wheels
Max Speed: 168mph
0-60mph: 5.7secs
Combined mpg: 22.8
Insurance Group: 20
CO2 emissions: 291g/km
BiK rating: 35%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 90,000 miles; 6yrs antirust, 3yrs paint