What drivetrain does the NSX have?
In brief: the NSX uses a mid-mounted 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 paired with a hybrid system that drives all four wheels through a nine-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Acura’s performance flagship pairs a mid‑engine V6 with a Sport Hybrid SH‑AWD system to deliver immediate electric-assist torque and controlled all‑wheel traction. The following breakdown covers how the drivetrain is structured across the latest NSX models, including the higher‑performance Type S variant.
Powertrain architecture
The heart of the NSX is a mid-mounted 3.5-liter twin‑turbocharged V6 that channels power to the rear wheels through a nine‑speed dual‑clutch transmission. A trio of electric motors supplements the gasoline power to drive all four wheels, creating a sophisticated hybrid all‑wheel‑drive setup. The system is non plug‑in; the battery is charged by the engine and through regenerative braking.
Key components that enable the SH‑AWD hybrid system are listed below.
Key drivetrain components include:
- Mid-mounted 3.5-liter twin‑turbo V6 gasoline engine
- Three electric motors forming the hybrid system
- Nine-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT)
- Sport Hybrid SH‑AWD all‑wheel-drive system
- 1.3 kWh lithium‑ion battery pack
- Regenerative braking to recharge the battery
In summary, these elements work together to provide all‑wheel traction, rapid throttle response, and precise torque distribution across a variety of driving conditions.
Where the electric motors sit and how torque is split
Two front electric motors
The NSX uses two independent electric motors at the front axle. These motors deliver drive to the front wheels for all‑wheel traction and enable torque vectoring, which enhances handling accuracy and grip, especially in cornering and acceleration out of tight turns.
One rear-mounted electric motor
A third electric motor sits on the rear portion of the drivetrain and works in concert with the V6 and the transmission to provide additional propulsion. This motor helps smooth power delivery during shifts and can boost rear torque when needed for responsive acceleration.
Together, the three electric motors enable sophisticated distribution of power between the front and rear axles, giving the NSX confident acceleration and refined handling characteristics under a range of conditions.
Transmission and driving modes
The NSX pairs its hybrid system with a nine‑speed dual‑clutch transmission that manages the gasoline engine’s power delivery to the rear axle while the electric motors contribute front‑axle drive. Driving modes—such as Quiet, Sport, Sport+, and Track—adjust throttle response, hybrid blending, and torque distribution to optimize performance or efficiency. The system operates as an AWD setup by default when appropriate for grip and stability.
The Type S variant uses the same SH‑AWD architecture but with updated tuning and cooling to extract higher output, approaching around 600 horsepower in combined power when in hybrid mode.
Performance and efficiency notes
Despite its emphasis on performance, the NSX’s drivetrain is designed for efficiency and precise control. The electric motors provide instant torque at low speed and during hard acceleration, reducing the load on the gasoline engine. The vehicle is not a plug‑in hybrid; the battery recharges from the engine and through regenerative braking.
In practice, this means the NSX can deliver high‑speed launches with minimal lag while maintaining confident, predictable handling thanks to deliberate torque‑vectoring and AWD distribution across the front and rear axles.
Summary
In summary, the NSX uses a mid‑mounted 3.5‑liter twin‑turbo V6 paired with a three‑motor hybrid system (Sport Hybrid SH‑AWD) that drives all four wheels through a nine‑speed dual‑clutch transmission. It is a non plug‑in setup, with the battery charged by the engine and regenerative braking. The standard NSX and the higher‑performance Type S share the same drivetrain architecture, with Type S delivering higher total output through refined tuning and cooling enhancements.
