NSX Type S Is Always Exciting to Drive, Reports Edmunds
The second-generation Acura NSX is a car that draws mixed feelings from a crowd of people. While some critics and enthusiasts believe that this upholds the legacy of the original NSX, others find it to be a bit underwhelming. However, Acura decided to end the second-gen NSX with a bang. Alongside its final model year, 2022, comes a super-hot Type S model. How does it hold up on the road and track?
2022 NSX Type S is the most powerful Acura ever built
According to Edmunds, Acura did quite a number on the 3.5-liter V6 powering it. Acura put the turbochargers from the NSX Evo 3 race car on the engine and supplemented the added wind with bigger injectors. Furthermore, upgraded intercoolers increase efficiency.
Acura didn’t just upgrade the engine, though. Engineers changed the gearing on the two front motors for optimum launching. Additionally, a software upgrade increases the battery output by 10 percent. Combined, these efforts result in a total of 600 horsepower and 492 pound-feet of torque.
It also receives a styling upgrade with diffusers and bumpers inspired by the Evo 3 race car, as well. Additionally, a lightweight package that adds a carbon-fiber engine cover and carbon-ceramic brakes drop the overall weight by 60 pounds. When it comes to high-performance vehicles, every pound counts!
Though Acura has yet to publish any specific performance figures, Forbes theorizes that the NSX Type S will sprint from zero to 60 miles per hour in under three seconds. However, straight-line performance is not what the NSX is about. This is especially true with the Type S. This hopped-up version of the mid-engine icon is meant to obliterate corners with ease.
Suspension tweaks and wheel upgrades make it a road course ripper
Edmunds reports that the NSX Type S feels a bit less reserved than the standard NSX in everyday driving situations. As one might expect with a more performance-oriented variant, it’s a bit more aggressive on the road. Features like a plastic hose to let engine noise into the cabin make it feel a bit more race car-esque, too. Which it is. So, as gimmicky as artificially creating extra noise is, we supposed this gets a pass.
The NSX Type S features bigger wheels and tires compared to the standard model. This widens it by 10 millimeters up front and 20 millimeters in the back. It uses Pirelli P-Zero tires that were specifically designed for the legendary supercar.
In addition to performance tuning of the adjustable shocks and suspension, the NSX Type S also features a rapid-downshift mode that allows drivers to hold the downshift paddle, and the car automatically picks the lowest available gear. Additionally, the NSX Type S allows drivers to downshift up to 1,500 RPM sooner than the standard model, allowing more aggressive use of the vehicle’s power band when in track mode.
How many NSX Type S examples will be made?
Unfortunately, if the concept of these upgrades and features put anyone in the mindset of buying one, there’s bad news. Acura is only building 350 NSX Type S examples, 300 of which are set to come to the US. Even more unfortunate, though, is that they’re all spoken for already. However, interested parties can navigate to the NSX Type S page on the Acura website and put their name on the waiting list. Don’t get your hopes up too high, though.
Unfortunately, this also is likely to mean that the majority of these cars will wind up in a collection somewhere. Tucked away for who knows how long, we can at least look forward to seeing them appear on Bring A Trailer in 10 years.
As a performance car, though, the NSX Type S hits the nail on the head. The Edmunds article states that the Type S fills all the gaps that the regular model leaves open, making it an exciting car to drive every moment spent behind the wheel.
