The 2022 Acura NSX Type S has made its official debut ahead of its arrival in Canada later this year.
Acura has been apprehensive to make any major updates to its mid-engine sports car, with the NSX remaining largely unchanged since its introduction way back at the beginning of 2016. That all changes with the arrival of the 2022 Acura NSX Type S though, which promises lower lap times and enhanced driving feel thanks to a variety of powertrain and chassis upgrades.
The NSX Type S sticks with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6; however, larger turbochargers (which are shared with the NSX GT3 Evo race car), new intercoolers, and high-flow fuel injectors have boosted the engine's output from 500 horsepower to 520 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque to 443 lb-ft. Acura has also fiddled with the software tuning for the hybrid supercar's battery system, bringing the powertrain's combined output to 600 hp and 492 lb-ft. This hybrid software upgrade gives the hybrid system more electric-only range, as well.
The NSX Type S sticks with its familiar nine-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, although it has been retuned to deliver even faster upshifts in Sport and Sport+ modes and a higher rev threshold for downshifts in Track mode.
Enhanced aerodynamics, including a revised front fascia with larger air intakes and a GT3-inspired carbon-fibre rear diffuser, promise to give the NSX Type S improved cornering performance and higher stability at speed. A new carbon-fibre roof panel also reduces weight and ensures the supercar's centre of gravity remains as low as possible.
New split five-spoke alloy wheels come standard and are 10 mm wider out front and 20 mm wider in the rear. Acura also called on its tire partner, Pirelli, to develop a new P-Zero tire compound specifically for the Type S. This tire has a special "H0" marking on the sidewall to differentiate them from a standard Pirelli P-Zero.
Inside, all NSX Type S models will receive an Alcantara headliner, an embroidered Type S logo on the glove compartment, and embossed NSX logos on the headrests.
Only 15 examples of the 2022 Acura NSX Type S have been earmarked for the Canadian market, with prices starting at $221,500. This will mark the first time the NSX Type S has been sold outside of Japan since the nameplate was introduced in 1997. Acura says it will provide "more details on how Canadian Acura enthusiasts can own a piece of supercar history," on its website on Wednesday, August 25, 2021.