The last NSX? Acura unveils 600hp Type S

Honda’s sister firm Acura has revealed what it promises is the quickest, greatest NSX supercar of all-time — the end-of-an-era NSX Type S.

Having been extensively teased earlier this month, the NSX Type S ticks most of the boxes expected by pundits worldwide. It gets evolutionary new looks, more power, and a limited production run.

The power comes thanks to Acura’s GT3 NSX race car. The Type S borrows the GT3’s twin-turbo set-up, with boost pressure increased by over five per cent. New high-flow injectors, and a new battery for the electric motor (featuring 20 per cent more usable power) make the Type S more than just a mere facelift.

Speaking of facelift, the Type S is more angular and pointed than the existing NSX. As opposed to the recent 2021 NSX update, the changes are pretty discernable. The nose gets a more Acura-adjacent grille layout, with a more pronounced version of the brand’s ‘beak’. The front splitter and rear diffuser are more aggressive, too, no doubt packing benefits in terms of downforce.

Acura has clearly done plenty of work here. On top of the engine’s tweaks, the nine-speed dual-clutch box is a whopping 50 per cent quicker on upshifts than before, and features a new ‘Rapid Downshift’ mode.

All of the NSX’s drive modes have been recalibrated, as has the all-wheel drive torque vectoring system and the adaptive dampers. A set of Pirelli P-Zeros designed specifically for the Type S add more grip.

Keen track-day punters can even option a US$13,000 lightweight package, which adds a carbon-ceramic Brembo brake package, carbon fibre interior inserts, a carbon fibre engine cover, and 26.2kg of overall weight loss.

What does this all mean? Well, the original twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 hybrid’s power output has increased by 20kW and 22Nm to 447kW and 667Nm.

While Acura hasn’t quoted any of the standard performance figures (like a 0–100km/h time), it has said that the Type S is two seconds quicker than the ordinary 2021 NSX around Suzuka and four seconds quicker than the ‘original’ ‘new’ NSX.

Acura is building just 350 NSX Type S’, with 300 earmarked for the American market. While it hasn’t been confirmed formally, the model is likely to be exclusively left-hand drive, meaning that the likes of Japan and New Zealand could well miss out on what might be an iconic nameplate’s swansong.

The NSX Type S retails in the US from US$169,500, or around $242,000. Order books are already open stateside.