To celebrate its final year of production, Acura has decided to release the 2022 Acura NSX Type S. The upgraded, enhanced, and improved Type S elevates an already impressive supercar to even more stratospheric levels — there’s a very good argument that the gasoline-electric hybrid NSX is the most technically sophisticated vehicle in showrooms today.
If you could back the two-place coupe’s aluminum skin, you’d find a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 mid-mounted in the chassis. The Type S variant of this potent powerplant is enhanced with new fuel injectors, new intercoolers, and new turbochargers that boost the output to 520 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque.
The combustion engine is complemented by three electric motors (one for each front wheel, and a third for the rear axle) that increase total system power to 600 hp and 492 lb-ft of torque. To further improve acceleration, the Twin Motor Unit (TMU) on the front wheels has new gearing and the 9-speed dual-clutch automatic has been recalibrated for even quicker launches and faster shifts.
Acura doesn’t publish acceleration numbers, but expect the 0-60 mph sprint to occur in just over 2.5 seconds with the quarter mile disappearing in just under 11 seconds at over 125 mph — the NSX Type S is now a bona fide supercar.
In terms of handling, Acura fits the Type S with new split 5-spoke wheels with increased track both front and rear. The P-Zero tires from Pirelli are molded in a special “H0” compound, to improve grip. And the innovative Sport-Hybrid SH-AWD (all-wheel drive) has been retuned to maximize performance during cornering.
The exterior features updated design and aerodynamics to improve powerplant cooling and the carbon fiber roof — the reduced mass lowers the center of gravity — is now standard. An optional “Lightweight Package” further drops weight (by about 58 pounds) with carbon-ceramic brakes, carbon-fiber engine cover, and carbon interior trim.
Inside the cabin, Acura fits the NSX Type S with an Alcantara headliner, embossed NSX logos on the seat head restraints, and contrasting stitching. There is also a “Type S” logo on the glove compartment door.
Acura will only offer 300 of the 2022 NSX Type S models for North American customers (of those, just 70 will be sold with the spectacular, and sinister, Gotham Gray paint job). Base price is just $169,500 — a bargain when compared to offerings from Porsche, Lamborghini, McLaren, and Ferrari.
Considering the low volume of this exotic, and how exceptional the engineering is, this final-year NSX is all but guaranteed to be highly desirable in the future.
