I remember the first time I got behind the wheel of an Acura NSX Type S. It was a crisp morning in late summer, the kind of day where the sky is impossibly blue and the air has a hint of warmth but isn’t too hot. The NSX Type S was sitting in the driveway, its sleek lines and aggressive stance making it look like a stealthy predator waiting to pounce. I couldn’t help but smile as I slid into the driver’s seat, adjusting the bolsters to fit snugly around me. The cockpit was all business, with a driver-focused layout that made me feel like I was ready for action. I turned the key, and the engine roared to life, the sound a perfect blend of refined aggression.
After a few laps around my neighborhood to get a feel for the car, I was eager to put it to the test. A few weeks earlier, I’d lined up a head-to-head comparison with some of the most iconic sports cars of the moment: the C8 Corvette, the 911 Turbo S, and the Nissan GT-R NISMO. The plan was simple—drag race and roll race these titans to see which one truly stood out in terms of performance.
The first event was the drag race. I remember pulling up to the starting line, feeling the adrenaline start to pump. The Acura NSX Type S was a formidable machine, with its twin-turbocharged V6 and hybrid system delivering a combined 537 horsepower. As I revved the engine, the Corvette, with its naturally aspirated V8 pushing 495 horsepower, sat next to me. The 911 Turbo S, with its 640 horsepower and turbocharged flat-six, was in the other lane, and the GT-R NISMO, with its 600 horsepower and turbocharged inline-six, completed the lineup.
When the lights turned green, the NSX leaped off the line with a precision that was almost telepathic. Its hybrid system gave it a slight edge off the mark, but I could see the Corvette closing the gap quickly. The 911 Turbo S, with its incredible acceleration, was right behind, and the GT-R NISMO was no slouch either, its legendary launch control system ensuring it stayed in the mix.
The drag race was intense. The NSX Type S had the advantage of a quick start, but the Corvette’s raw power started to show as we approached the end of the quarter mile. The 911 Turbo S was relentless, its turbocharged engine providing blistering acceleration, while the GT-R NISMO, with its sophisticated all-wheel-drive system, maintained a strong presence. In the end, the NSX Type S crossed the line first, but it was a close race, with the other three cars finishing almost neck and neck.
Next up was the roll race. We set off at a rolling start, accelerating from 30 miles per hour. This time, the NSX Type S had to rely more on its top-end speed and handling prowess. As we sped up, the Corvette’s power became evident, pushing it hard to keep pace. The 911 Turbo S, with its superior torque and power delivery, started to pull ahead, while the GT-R NISMO’s performance was impressive, but it wasn’t quite enough to match the 911’s relentless speed.
During the roll race, the NSX Type S demonstrated its agility. Its mid-engine layout allowed it to corner with remarkable precision, and its hybrid system provided a surprising burst of acceleration when needed. However, the 911 Turbo S proved to be a formidable opponent, its speed and handling blending into a near-perfect package. The Corvette’s power was impressive, but it felt a bit less refined compared to the precision of the NSX and the turbocharged flat-six of the 911. The GT-R NISMO held its own, showcasing its exceptional engineering but struggled slightly to keep up with the top contenders.
Reflecting on the entire experience, each car had its strengths and weaknesses. The Acura NSX Type S impressed with its combination of hybrid technology and refined performance. It was a car that felt like a high-tech marvel, blending modern technology with classic sports car dynamics. The C8 Corvette, with its raw power and aggressive styling, was a joy to drive, but it didn’t quite match the finesse of the NSX or the 911. The 911 Turbo S was, without a doubt, a masterpiece of engineering, with performance that seemed almost effortless. Finally, the Nissan GT-R NISMO was a testament to performance engineering, but its age was starting to show compared to the newer rivals.
As I parked the NSX Type S back in the driveway, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. It had proven itself to be a true contender in a field of exceptional sports cars. Each of these vehicles had their unique qualities, making the comparison not just a test of speed but a celebration of automotive excellence. Driving them all had been an incredible experience, and it was clear that while the NSX Type S emerged victorious in this particular matchup, each car had its own special place in the world of performance cars.