Coupe Acura NSX Type S will be the swan song of the model

The first-generation Honda / Acura NSX supercar became famous under the nickname “Japanese Ferrari” and sold quite a significant circulation for such a car: 18685 cars were sold in 15 years of production (from 1990 to 2005), of which 8999 were sold in the USA. Introduced in 2015, the second-generation model didn't even come close to that figure, with fewer than 2,500 vehicles produced in the past six years.

Alas, Honda's management did not even try to cheer up demand with new versions (although there were rumors about a roadster and a simplified rear-wheel drive modification) and had already decided to stop production. But before that, the “farewell” version of the Acura NSX Type S is still presented. Moreover, it does not complement, but replaces the base model, so in fact we are talking about upgrading a hybrid supercar.

The Type S modification is presented as the most powerful, fast and well-controlled version of the NSX. External differences from the original model are not striking, although there are enough of them. This is a new front fairing with a different configuration of air intakes, a different rear bumper and a larger diffuser (almost like the NSX GT3 Evo racing coupe).

The original forged wheels with Pirelli P Zero tires have a different offset, so the track has grown by 10mm at the front and 20mm at the rear. The adaptive suspension has been retuned, but the main focus is on the hybrid powertrain, which consists of a gasoline engine, a preselective “robot” and three electric motors.

Mounted longitudinally behind the seats, the V6 3.5 biturbo engine with combined injection has found new nozzles, larger intercoolers (15% more efficient), as well as more efficient turbochargers from the racing version of the GT3. Excess boost pressure increased by 6% to 1.11 bar. As a result, engine power increased from 507 to 527 hp, and torque from 550 to 600 Nm.

The nine-speed dual-clutch robot has been upgraded and shifts up are now 50% faster than before. For downshifts, a new function has appeared: it is worth holding the corresponding paddle shifter pressed for more than 0.6 s, and the electronics will turn on the lowest possible gear at the moment. And in the most extreme Track mode, the box allows you to switch down earlier than usual, shifting the cut-off of the motor by 1500 rpm (up to 9000 rpm).

The electric motor built into the gearbox is the same, it produces 48 hp. and 148 Nm. Together with the V6 engine, it spins the rear wheels. But the individual motors on the front wheels have been retuned and now have shorter gearboxes: their gear ratio has been increased from 8.05:1 to 10.38:1. The output of the motors themselves has not changed (36 hp and 73 Nm each), but there is more traction on the wheels. Finally, the traction battery with the same capacity of 1.3 kWh can now deliver more power.

The peak power of the power plant has increased from 581 to 608 hp, and the torque – from 645 to 667 Nm. All improvements were not reflected in the passport dynamic characteristics in the best way: the maximum speed decreased from 309 to 307 km / h, and in the column “acceleration time to 60 miles per hour” (97 km / h) Acura now indicates not 2.9 s, but “less than 3.0 seconds”. But the new Acura NSX Type S laps Suzuka's signature track two seconds faster than the base model.

The Lightweight Package is offered as an option. It includes carbon-ceramic brakes, a carbon-fiber engine cover and a carbon-fiber interior trim, but in total this reduces the weight of the car by only 26.2 kg. At the same time, the additional payment for such a package is 13 thousand dollars. The starting price of the Type S version is 170 thousand. And the first copy with the corresponding VIN code has already been sold at auction for $1.1 million!

The US plant will produce 350 Honda/Acura NSX Type S vehicles, all for the 2022 model year. Of these, only 50 cars will be exported for foreign markets, and 70 copies will be painted with the new Gotham Gray matte paint. After the completion of the “eski” (this will happen next year), the total circulation of the second generation NSX model will slightly exceed 2800 copies, of which about 1800 will remain in the US.