NSX Type S is U.S.-bound, Land Cruisers blessed with heritage parts, vintage Indy cars in the wild
Acura’s NSX Type S is headed to the U.S. for the first time
Intake: Acura is about to take its hybrid supercar to new heights. Honda’s performance division revealed that a limited-production 2022 NSX Type S will be officially unveiled on August 12 during Monterey Car Week. Acura teased the NSX Type S in an 11-second video. In celebration of the final year of NSX production, the Type S will be limited to 350 units worldwide—300 in the U.S.—and will join highly collectable NSX variants like the 1999 NSX Zanardi. The NSX Type S model is powered by an enhanced version of the supercar’s twin-turbo V-6 and Sport Hybrid AWD system. Acura will begin accepting orders for the NSX Type S on August 12 at Acura.com/NSX.
Exhaust: The original NSX Type S variant, produced from 1997–2001, never made it to the U.S., so this one is cutting edge for American enthusiasts. It is also the third in a growing stable of Acura Type S variants, following the TLX sport sedan and the upcoming MDX three-row SUV. Our fingers were crossed for a RWD-only NSX with pure combustion power, so we’ll have to wait and see if the newest Type S still delivers.
Toyota gives 40 Series Land Cruisers a refreshing 70th birthday gift
Intake: Owners of 1960–84 Land Cruisers, rejoice: Toyota Gazoo Racing is celebrates 70 years of the beloved 40 Series by reproducing engines, drivelines, and exhaust systems beginning in 2022. You can request specific parts online here, too. Toyota’s even hinting that later models—perhaps the 60 and 70 Series—will get in on the fun, at some unspecified time. The Land Cruiser joins the A70 and A80 Supra, plus the 2000GT, in Toyota’s heritage-parts fold.
Exhaust: Nissan supports the Skyline, Honda the S2000, and Mazda the RX-7 (and Miata). Toyota’s decision to reproduce parts for the 40 Series speaks volumes about the Land Cruiser’s important to Toyota’s identity, especially in the vintage-crazy North American market—no matter that the next-gen Land Cruiser isn’t even coming stateside.
Hyundai gravel-proofs the Santa Fe with XRT trim
Intake: The new XRT trim for the 2022 Hyundai Sante Fe adds skid plates, black mirrors, and a matte-black grille, as well as 18-inch wheels, side steps, and lower door molding that are all exclusive to XRT. They combine to give the Santa Fe a bit more trail protection and a unique look. The Santa Fe XRT FWD starts at $33,485, and the XRT AWD stickers for $35,185 (both prices include the Sante Fe’s standard $1185 destination fee). Both should be available at dealerships now.
Exhaust: Hyundai isn’t pretending that the XRT will turn the Santa Fe into a Bronco or Wrangler competitor. More like a Subaru competitor. These upgrades, while minor, may help assuage drivers’ fears of getting scrapes and scratches when venturing off the pavement to get to that good campsite or mountain-bike trailhead, and that’s probably plenty of off-roading for most.
Rear-engine Indy cars ready to roar at Rolex Motorsports Reunion
Intake: For the first time ever, rear-engine Indy cars will be a featured class at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, an event coming up at Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca August 12 to 15 during Monterey Car Week. The vehicles taking laps at the historic course hail from 1963 to 1978 and include Bobby Rahal’s recently restored 1966 Eagle powered by a 255-cubic-inch, four-cam Ford V-8.
Exhaust: The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is one of the best places to spend Car Week and we’re excited to see and hear these fantastic machines on the iconic course.
Avalon, presumably sucked into the black hole of its own grille, will disappear from Toyota’s lineup
Intake: Another full-size sedan bites the dust. The Toyota Avalon will get the axe after 2022, according to a report by Automotive News. Toyota’s ritziest U.S.-market sedan began its run in 1994 and enjoyed its highest selling year in 2000, moving 103,878 units. Sales waned since, despite an uptick after the refreshed fourth-generation’s debut in 2013. Amid the onslaught of SUVs, the only vehicles left standing in this mainstream space are the Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, and Nissan Maxima.
Exhaust: The Avalon has always been stuck in the middle between the ubiquitous mid-size Camry and the entry-level-luxury Lexus ES. And now that top trims of the Camry are downright premium, the Avalon’s raison d’etre has officially slimmed down to nothingness.
