The Acura NSX — or Honda NSX, depending on the market — was first introduced in 1990. At the time, it was the Japanese automaker’s first attempt at a high-speed, high-performance model for the road. While some folks refer to it as a supercar, the first-gen iteration is technically classified as a sports car. It managed to stick around for roughly 16 years before its cancelation, which took place in 2006.
Ten years later, Honda decided to resurrect the namesake with a second-gen model. The spirit of the original version was carried on, but this new NSX was much more technologically savvy, as well as more powerful. In 2022, a Type-S iteration was introduced, which upped the ante a substantial amount.
When it first hit the market, Acura slapped a $169,500 sticker price on it, a number that’s out of reach for most folks. However, some nine years after its release, prices have come down to the point where it’s actually affordable. This means you don’t have to be a multi-millionaire to enjoy holy trinity levels of performance.
What Is The Holy Trinity Of Hybrid Supercars?
2014 Ferrari LaFerrari front quarterBring a Trailer
Around 13 years ago, three automakers released new, flagship hypercar models. At one end of the triangle sat Ferrari, which released the LaFerrari model. At another was McLaren with its P1. Rounding off the trinity was Porsche with its 918 hypercar, the spiritual successor to the Carrera GT.
The McLaren P1 has 903 hp, rear-wheel-drive and a bag of performance tricks. But switch the driving aids off… well, then your surname best be Norris or Piastri.McLaren
Of course, high-end automakers release new models here and there all the time. These, though, had something special between them. All three models packed hybrid tech underneath their high-end, high-performance bodies. It was a revolutionary, new way to build a hypercar at the time, as the vast majority of models that sat up on the totem pole boasted purely ICE engines pumping out huge horsepower. However, because of the inclusion of hybrid technology, the supercar holy trinity could make do with less combustion power.
The Porsche 918 Spyder’s V8 engine and two electric motors produce nearly 900 hp. Handy.Porsche
While all three were very similar in terms of performance and power output, they’re each known for specific strengths. For example, the P1 is widely regarded as the best of the three around a track, seeing as McLaren typically tends to build technologically savvy models with fine-tuned handling characteristics. The LaFerrari is known for its extremely moving design, and is the prettiest by far. The Porsche is reported to shine based on its everyday usability.
The Hybrid Holy Trinity
McLaren P1
Ferrari LaFerrari
Porsche 918
Powertrain
3.8L twin-turbo V8 + electric motor
6.3L NA V12 + electric motor
4.6L NA V8 + dual electric motors
Combined Power
903 hp
949 hp
887 hp
Combined Torque
664 lb-ft
664 lb-ft
944 lb-ft
0-60 mph
2.8 seconds
2.5 seconds
2.2 seconds
Top Speed
217 mph
218 mph
214 mph
Curb Weight
3,411 lbs
3,494 lbs
3,692 lbs
Starting MSRP (2013)
$1,150,000
$1,400,000
$845,000
*Specs courtesy of McLaren, Ferrari, & Porsche
The Holy Trinity At A Bargain
2022 Acura NSX Type S Gray Front 3/4 Angle Track DrivingAcura
As evidenced by the table above, buying any one of the holy trinity hybrid hypercar models isn’t for the faint-of-pocket. However, thanks to Honda/Acura’s introduction of the second-gen NSX almost 10 years ago, you can have the same sort of tech for a much smaller price. As things stand today, hybrid-electric supercars tend to lose their value quite quickly. While there are numerous reasons for this, it’s agreed that the largest is their extremely high maintenance costs coupled with rapid, sweeping technological advancements seen within the high-end car market.
Related
An Acura NSX Successor Isn’t Happening Anytime Soon
An electric successor to the mid-engined sports car has been postponed as the company begins development work on its next-gen hybrids.
However, as many of you reading this will know, Hondas – and, by association, Acuras – tend to hold onto their value like gum to a shoe sole. When it comes to the NSX Type-S specifically, its resale value is excellent…
- Original MSRP: $169,500
- Current Average Used Pricing: $235,664
- Percent Change: +27.8%
Now, if we take a look at some other hybrid supercars on the market, the NSX Type-S’ value retention is even more impressive. Take the McLaren Artura, for example. It boasts a 3.0-liter, twin-turbo V6 hybrid powertrain chucking out 671 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque, an impressive output. When we look at the 2023 Artura’s current used pricing, we find it to be around $191,428, according to Classic.com’s auction sale data. For context, the ’23 Artura carried an MSRP of about $233,000 when it was new.
Now, let’s do the math for the 2023 McLaren Artura:
- Original MSRP: $233,000
- Current Average Used Pricing: $191,428
- Percent Change: -17.8%
Acura NSX Type S Gray Rear Angle Track DrivingAcura
Other examples of hybrid supercars losing value exist as well, even with the standard Acura NSX. However, the Type-S iteration seems to be able to hold onto its value extremely well, even as most of the used hybrid supercar market falls.
Related
These 10 Daily Supercars Have Lost The Most Value Thanks To Depreciation
Performance fans are spoiled for choice on the used market as there are many modern supercars selling for well under $100,000.
How The NSX Type-S Makes Its Power
2022 Acura NSX Type S 3.5L TT JNC1 V6 EngineAcura
Handling the bulk of the NSX Type-S’ power production is a 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 engine. The mill belongs to Honda’s JNC1-Series V6 family, and is its sole member. It was developed specifically for use within the second-gen Honda/Acurs NSX, and carries unique upgrades like a 75-degree cylinder bank angle, and a sandcasted engine block and cylinder heads, which was done by the popular engine builder, Cosworth.
In total, three electric motors are hooked up to the JNC1. Two of the three are located on the front wheels, which make up the Twin Motor Unit (TMU). The two motors are capable of providing torque vectoring, which helps the NSX Type-S’ handling significantly. Upon exiting a corner, the TMU can also dole out positive torque, which helps increase acceleration. The third motor, along with the engine itself, is mounted near the middle of the NSX. A nine-speed dual-clutch transmission handles the shifting, and all-wheel drive applies the JNC1’s power to the road.
2022 Acura NSX Type S front 3/4 high angle in gray while driving on a trackAcura
When it comes to how the NSX Type-S stacks up to the standard NSX, Honda introduced a few key upgrades to set the former apart. On top of being a limited-production model – of which only 350 were made – the Type-S enjoys a 29-hp increase over the standard NSX’s 579 ponies. In addition, it boasts two turbos borrowed directly from the NSX GT3 Evo race car, higher-flow injectors, and upgraded intercoolers. Both its battery output and capacity were increased, too. Its exterior was also altered slightly to offer better aerodynamics, and features more carbon fiber than standard to reduce its curb weight.
2022 Acura NSX Type-S
Powertrain
3.5L twin-turbo V6 + 3 electric motors
Combined Power
602 hp
Combined Torque
492 lb-ft
0-60 mph
2.9 seconds
Top Speed
191 mph (limited)
Curb Weight
3,946 lbs (3,878 lbs w/Lightweight Package)
*Specs courtesy of Acura
Get One While You Can, If You Can
Acura NSX Type S Gray Rear Wheel Track DrivingAcura
As we mentioned a moment ago, the NSX Type-S is a rare bird. Out of those 350 that were made, only 300 made it to US shores, and only 15 ended up in Canada. The rest were reserved for its home country market. Because of its rarity, its used pricing will, likely, only go up, even as the value of the standard Acura NSX continues to tumble, having been subject to the same misfortune of hybrid supercar depreciation.
Related
Honda Built The World’s First Daily Supercar
In the early 1990s, the manufacturer of some of the most dependable vehicles ever made decided to offer the first everyday supercar.
One thing of note regarding the second-gen NSX is its uncanny ability to act as both a supercar and as a daily driver. Numerous publications, including our own, have reported extremely high levels of daily-driveability that can’t be matched by virtually any other high-end model, save for the Audi R8.
“Somehow, Honda managed to inject the NSX with supercar power, grip, and handling while being as easy to run errands around in as a Civic. The level of engineering to pull that off should not be underestimated.” – Ian Wright, senior automotive journalist at CarBuzz.
Of course, not everyone will be able to go out and drop roughly $235k on a car with two seats and a high-tech powertrain. However, if you can, you’ll be able to get yourself into a model that sports holy trinity-levels of tech, Honda reliability, and a good-looking body for way less than you’d spend on a used Porsche 918, McLaren P1, or Ferrari LaFerrari. Call it a member of a poor man’s holy trinity if you want, but the NSX Type-S will serve it up in droves.
Sources: Honda, Acura, McLaren, Ferrari, Porsche, Classic.com.
