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The Honda/Acura NSX Type S is the company’s last mid-engine hurrah

Sporting a significant power bump and plenty of lightweight bits

The NSX is going away again. Hopefully, not for good. PHOTO FROM ACURA

Ten days ago, Honda/Acura teased the NSX Type S, and we learned that this high-performance version also signals the model’s final year of production. Now, the supercar has made its public debut at Monterey Car Week, revealing all the changes the automaker has done to make it a proper send-off to the fabled nameplate.

Only 70 buyers will get the special gray paint job. PHOTOS FROM ACURA

First off, the car gets more aggressive aerodynamics with a new front nose, and larger air intakes and rear diffuser modeled after the NSX GT3 Evo race car. It’s also available in 10 different colors. But the standout one is Gotham Gray, an exclusive matte shade limited to 70 out of the 350 examples being made.

Other Type S-exclusive revisions come in the form of a red engine cover, tinted headlights and taillights, decals and badging, and a numbered plaque found on the engine cowling. The interior receives Alcantara trim on the headliner, embossed NSX logos on the headrests, and Type S badges on the glove compartment and the key fob.

The Types S is equipped with Brembo brakes, retuned active dampers, and staggered five-spoke forged alloy wheels shod in bespoke Pirelli P Zero rubber. Carbon fiber is used liberally across the body. The roof, in particular, lowers the center gravity to help the final NSX handle better.

Collectors outside of the US will have to fight for just 50 units. PHOTOS FROM ACURA

The twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 gains new intercoolers and fuel injectors, and turbochargers from the NSX GT3 Evo. The hybrid system has also been tweaked to allow for a higher battery capacity so the car can get off the line faster, and also have a greater EV-only range. Total output is boosted from 573hp and 645Nm to 600hp and 667Nm—a healthy gain of 27hp and 22Nm over the standard NSX.

The enhanced nine-speed dual-clutch transmission can upshift faster and has several downshift settings. The gearbox downshifts more aggressively in Sport/Sport+ mode while there is a higher rev threshold in Track mode. There is also a “Rapid Downshift” function where holding the downshift paddle for 0.6 second will get the transmission to switch to the lowest allowable gear so that the driver can get on the throttle sooner at corner exit.

The 3.5-liter V6 hybrid powertrain gets bumped up to 600hp. PHOTOS FROM ACURA

The NSX Type S will cost you $169,500 (P8.56 million). An optional Lightweight Package consisting of carbon-ceramic brakes, carbon engine cover, and carbon interior trim lowers the curb weight by 26.2kg and costs an additional $13,000 (P657,000). While the Type S may not be the direct equivalent of the first-generation car’s Type R version, it’s nice to see the model go out (again) with a bang and not a faint whimper.



Sam Surla

Sam is the youngest member of our editorial team. He specializes in photography and videography, but he also happens to like writing about cars a lot.



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