Acura NSX Type S: The Hybrid Swansong
When Honda (Acura in North America) resurrected the legendary NSX nameplate in 2016, it was a technological marvel. The second-generation NC1 NSX abandoned the analog, naturally aspirated V6 purity of the 1990s original in favor of a staggeringly complex, triple-electric-motor, twin-turbocharged hybrid all-wheel-drive system.
It was a brilliantly capable car, often described as a “budget Porsche 918 Spyder.” However, it struggled to capture the emotional imagination of the supercar buying public, often criticized for being slightly too quiet, too polite, and too heavy.
In 2021, Honda announced they were ending production of the second-generation NSX. But they refused to let it go quietly. To celebrate the end of the line, they released the Acura NSX Type S. Limited to just 350 units globally, the Type S is the realization of the car’s ultimate potential—lighter, significantly faster, and substantially more aggressive.
The Powertrain: GT3 Hardware and 600 HP
The foundation of the NSX Type S remains the bespoke 3.5-liter, 75-degree twin-turbocharged V6 engine, mounted longitudinally behind the driver.
To increase power for the Type S, Honda engineers turned to the NSX GT3 Evo race car. They replaced the standard turbochargers with the high-flow turbos used in the racing program. These new turbos increased peak boost pressure by 5.6%. They also installed new fuel injectors capable of a 25% higher flow rate and upgraded the intercoolers to manage the extra heat.
The result is a bump in internal combustion output from 500 to 520 horsepower.
The hybrid system—consisting of a Direct Drive Motor attached to the V6, and a Twin Motor Unit (TMU) powering the front axle—was also optimized. The battery capacity was increased by 20%, and the battery output was raised by 10%.
Combined, the total system output was raised to a beautifully rounded 600 horsepower and 492 lb-ft of torque.
Re-Tuning the SH-AWD and Gearbox
Horsepower is only part of the story. The true genius of the NSX is its Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system.
Because the front wheels are driven entirely by two independent electric motors, the car can actively vector torque. It can overdrive the outside front wheel while simultaneously applying negative torque (regenerative braking) to the inside front wheel. This physically pulls the nose of the heavy car into the apex, completely neutralizing understeer.
For the Type S, this system was recalibrated to be much more aggressive, allowing for higher cornering limits. Furthermore, the 9-speed dual-clutch transmission was completely re-programmed. Shift times were reduced by 50%, and a new “Rapid Downshift” feature allows the driver to hold the left paddle and instantly drop to the lowest possible gear, rather than clicking through them sequentially.
Design: Sharpened Aerodynamics
Aesthetically, the standard NSX was somewhat restrained. The Type S rectifies this with a vastly more aggressive, aero-focused design.
The most obvious change is the front fascia. The grille is significantly larger and more angular, improving cooling airflow to the radiators. The front bumper features aggressive dive planes and a massive carbon-fiber front splitter to increase downforce.
At the rear, a new carbon-fiber diffuser, styled directly after the GT3 race car, efficiently manages the air exiting from underneath the car. A standard carbon-fiber roof lowers the center of gravity.
The Lightweight Package
To further sharpen the dynamics, Acura offered an optional Lightweight Package for the Type S (costing an additional $13,000).
This package stripped 26.2 kg (58 lbs) from the curb weight by adding:
- Carbon-Ceramic Brakes (Brembo)
- A carbon-fiber engine cover
- Carbon-fiber interior trim
To connect the car to the road, the Type S was fitted with bespoke, incredibly sticky Pirelli P-Zero tires (specifically designed with an “H0” marking for Honda) mounted on new, forged 5-spoke alloy wheels that widened the track slightly for better stability.
A Sold-Out Sendoff
The Acura NSX Type S accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in under 2.9 seconds, but its true capability is felt on a winding canyon road or a technical race track, where the complex torque-vectoring systems mask the car’s 1,760 kg (3,880 lbs) curb weight with supernatural agility.
Of the 350 units built, 300 were allocated specifically to the United States (badged as Acuras), with the remaining 50 sent to the rest of the world (badged as Hondas). The entire allocation sold out within minutes of the announcement.
The NSX Type S is the car the second-generation NSX always should have been from the start. It successfully marries the incredible technological complexity of its hybrid drivetrain with the aggressive styling, loud exhaust, and razor-sharp dynamics expected of a true mid-engine supercar. It is a fitting, furious end to a misunderstood masterpiece.