Honda NSX Dream Project

The Honda NSX was never shy or retiring. With 427kW of power, 646Nm, a nine-speed dual-clutch transmission and four motors – one petrol, three electric – it's basically a car from Cybertron.

The all-wheel drive NSX, which wears Acura badges in the USA (also where it's built) clearly has more scope for speed.

Enter the NSX Dream Project.

Making its debut at the 2018 SEMA show in Las Vegas, it hikes the US-spec NSX to 482kW and 730Nm, which should be enough mojo to send it into a low-earth orbit… Honda's oddball catch-cry "Earth Dreams" just started to make sense.

It finds more power by adopting liquid-injected intercooling, according to US-based tuning company ScienceofSpeed, which is a self-proclaimed "NSX and S2000 performance specialist".

The NSX Dream Project car comes in for a number retina-scorching cosmetic and aerodynamic upgrades.

Inspired by the race-ready GT3-spec NSX, there's a big wing and deep diffuser at the rear of the car, designed to enhance downforce at higher speeds, while the front end has milder revisions.

Five-spoke Advan GT forged alloy wheels add a touch of JDM to proceedings, measuring 20 inches in diameter at the front and 21 inches at the rear. In this instance they're shod with stylish Italian shoes of the Pirelli P Zero variety.

The car has been fitted with a suspension lowering kit and also features clever "integrated automatic sensing suspension technology". Its sensor suite will autonomously lift the front end by up to 2 inches when it detects bumps or steep driveways, but let's assume it won't work at 250km/h...

Inside the large wheels are carbon ceramic Brembo discs and calipers, the latter finished in gold, while the paintwork adopts a blue pearl finish, in homage to the first-generation NSX.

The NSX Dream Project is a bit lighter than its donor car – by at least 7kg, in fact – thanks to the adoption of a stainless-steel exhaust system that ensures the mid-mounted 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine makes more racket.

The Arizona-based company has also worked on the cabin of the Acura NSX, applying the dual-tone black/blue colour scheme of the exterior.

It gives the NSX's cheapo interior a bit of a lift and the Recaro Pole Position race seats are a nice touch.

Chris Willson, ScienceofSpeed general manager, said he was "…thrilled to present our expression of the second-generation NSX unlimited and unrestricted.

"Devoted NSX fans share in a rich 27-year history and with the second-generation NSX reaching the aftermarket community, now is an extraordinary time to be an NSX enthusiast. We are thrilled to share our passion for this iconic platform."

We're unlikely to drive the boosted NSX any time soon, but in the meantime here's a video that should whet the appetite of Japanese super car fans: Honda NSX versus Nissan GT-R NISMO!

SEMA Show

If you have even the slightest interest in car modification, you've probably heard of the SEMA show. SEMA stands for Specialty Equipment Market Association and in simple terms it's the world's biggest car tuning and aftermarket exhibition.

Held in Las Vegas every year, the public is not invited – it's strictly a trade show. That said, it attracts huge crowds and vendors from right across the globe, from Japan to Germany and of course the USA.

Rumour has it some avid enthusiasts even started their own mod shops (or just printed fake business cards) to get a ticket to the massive show. Stay tuned over the coming weeks as we've got people on the ground at the 2018 SEMA show, and we'll have some fun videos direct from Las Vegas.