Acura sends the NSX with an S-type hit

Ahead of its official Monterey Car Week debut in a few weeks, Acura has released a few teasers of its upcoming NSX Type-S. Of course, that followed this totally radiant news with sad news that the NSX is one of the most exciting hybrids ever made—and the most thrilling car ever built in Ohio—is coming to an end after the 2022 model year race. So the S-Type will be the right high-power, high-intensity sendoff that the NSX is clamoring for. Only 350 will be built for global consumption, including 300 destined for the NSX’s home country, the United States of America.

While full stats on this monster AWD performance machine have yet to be announced, it’s pretty easy to see where things will go based on the standard car’s numbers. In the “regular” NSX, Acura delivers performance with a 500-horsepower twin-turbo V6 mounted behind the cabin and three permanent magnet synchronous electric motors (each front motor produces 36 horsepower and 54 lb-ft, while a third is wedged between the engine and the transaxle producing 47 horsepower and 109 lb-ft) for a combined total of 573 horsepower and 476 lb-ft of torque.

Electric motor technology has evolved a lot since the introduction of the NSX in 2015. While the V6 could surely gain a little more momentum, I would expect an electric motor overhaul as well. Together, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Acura produce an additional 100 horsepower from the four-engine configuration of the NSX. Add in a bunch of carbon fiber to keep the weight down a bit, and maybe a carbon wheel set (if I’m not too optimistic), and it’s going to be an exciting machine. Considering how technologically advanced and fast the NSX is, you can think of it like a Porsche 918 Spyder on a 15 percent-ish budget.

Everyone seemed to be going gaga over the Polestar 1, which was basically a lower performing version of this hybrid formula, but the NSX was never shaken. I think this car is one of the most exciting new vehicles to launch in the last decade, but from the start it was treated like a car, too. And this despite a top speed of 0-60 seconds of 3.1 seconds, a quarter mile of 11.2 seconds and a top speed of 191 miles per hour. This has all the performance chops of an R8 or 911 Turbo, but with the added benefit of hybrid technology.

Interestingly, while Acura has only moved around 2,500 units of the second-gen NSX around the world, it will continue to research hybrid and electric sports cars in the future. NSX has been the kind of car since its inception that rewrites the rules of what a performance car can be, and I expect whatever Acura does next to be really exciting. The king of performance hybrids is dead (died?), long live the king!