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Car names and acronyms can sound random sometimes. TT, NSX, MX-5, ST… we all say them, but half the time nobody knows what the letters mean. Some come from racing, some from engineering projects, and some are just fancy ways of saying “this car is fast.”
Let’s break down a few of the most famous ones.
Audi’s Concept-to-Reality TT
The Audi TT wears its history on its badge. TT stands for Tourist Trophy, the Isle of Man motorcycle race that’s been running since 1907. NSU, one of the companies that merged into Audi, competed there back in the day. So when Audi launched the TT, the name wasn’t just catchy, it was a nod to racing roots.
Honda’s Classic Supercar NSX
Honda’s NSX is another legend with a clever name. It means New Sports car eXperimental. Honda wanted a mid-engine supercar that could match Ferrari’s drama but work as a daily. They pulled it off. The car came out of the HPX concept (Honda Pininfarina eXperimental), and when the production version hit, it showed the world that supercars didn’t have to be fragile or temperamental.
Porsche’s PDK Gearbox
On the German side, Porsche gave us PDK. The full name is Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe. Basically, the Porsche double-clutch gearbox. It sounds like a mouthful, but all you need to know is this: it shifts faster than you ever could with a manual, and it started in racing before making its way into road cars.
Ford’s ST Trim
Ford’s ST badge looks simple, but it stands for Sport Technologies. It’s the sweet spot between your regular grocery-getter and the hardcore RS stuff. STs are cheap, fun, and built to be thrashed. That’s what ST really means.
Honda/Acura’s SH-AWD Drivetrain
Over at the Honda/Acura side, you’ll see SH-AWD. That’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive, and it’s not your average AWD setup. Instead of just sending power front and back, it can also push torque side to side. That makes big, heavy cars corner flatter and feel way more agile than they should.
Lamborghini’s SVJ Cars
Lamborghini keeps it dramatic with SVJ. It stands for Super Veloce Jota. Super Veloce translates to “super fast,” and Jota has always been their tag for the track-focused, no-compromise versions. Think of Aventador SVJ: wild aero, screaming V12, and zero subtlety.
The Sweetheart Roadster Mazda MX-5
Then there’s the world’s favorite little roadster, the Mazda MX-5. MX means Mazda eXperimental, and the 5 marks the fifth project in that series. Mazda basically told its engineers to build an affordable, lightweight roadster that was pure fun. They delivered so well the MX-5 became the most popular roadster on the planet.
VTEC Kicks In
Finally, we’ve got VTEC. Honda fans know this one by heart: Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control. Sounds technical, but what matters is the way it transforms the engine. Smooth and efficient at low revs, then screaming and powerful once cams switch over when “VTEC kicks in.” It’s an engineering trick that turned into a car-culture phenomenon.
