NSX

Make
Acura
Segment
Coupe

2021 has been a rough year. The ongoing pandemic has made life difficult for all of us, and we experienced the knock-on effects of a semiconductor chip shortage on numerous occasions. This has led to a massive spike in the prices of new and used cars alike, but if you've been waiting for things to get better, you may have made the right decision. 2022 is set to be another year of epic exotica, and if you have the means, there are almost too many exciting entrants to the market to choose from. Here are the five best exotics coming next year, along with a few notable mentions.

1. 2022 Acura NSX Type S

Kicking off our list is the most accessible car here, but it remains a bona fide exotic with innovative new technologies. More power, more aero cleverness, and more handling ability define the 2022 Acura NSX Type S, which arrives with its 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 and three electric motors to produce 600 horsepower and 492 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive remains the drivetrain of choice with a nine-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission handling shifts. Pricing starts at $169,500 for a regular model while one equipped with the optional Lightweight Package will set you back $182,500 before destination charges. However, all examples of the NSX Type S have sold out, so if you haven't already ordered one, you're out of luck.

2. 2022 Aston Martin Valkyrie

The Aston Martin Valkyrie has had a troubled route to production, but the British hypercar is finally getting there. Powered by a 6.5-liter V12 with an electric motor, it produces a ridiculous 1,139 hp. With figures like those, it's no wonder that it costs $3.2 million, yet Aston had no trouble shifting all 150 planned examples.

The automaker will also be sending the drop-top Spider variant here later in 2022 (just 85 of these will be built) while racing enthusiasts can look forward to the arrival of the track-only Valkyrie AMR Pro, which is also arriving late next year. Hopefully, Mercedes-AMG will finally finish its One hypercar to give us a bit more variety.

3. 2022 Ferrari 296 GTB

The first official V6 Ferrari road car is the upcoming 296 GTB, but don't let its relatively small engine fool you - this thing is stupidly powerful. The rear-wheel-drive supercar's 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 combines with an electric motor to produce a dizzying 818 hp and 546 lb-ft of torque, all of which is being sent to the rear wheels. That helped it achieve a time around Ferrari's Fiorano test track of just 1 minute 21 seconds. Of course, this comes at a serious price, with the cheapest version retailing for $321,400. If you want the Multimatic dampers and sticky Michelin Cup 2R tires, you'll have to opt for the Assetto Fiorano specification, which costs $360,900 before extra options. Still, having a baby Fezza in your drive that is as powerful as the insane 812 Competizione is surely worth the money. If money is no object, you're probably awaiting delivery of another new Fezza - the Daytona SP3.

4. 2022 Lamborghini Aventador Ultimae

The swansong of the free-breathing V12, the Lamborghini Aventador Ultimae will arrive next year in both coupe and roadster configurations. That 6.5-liter V12 generates 769 hp and 531 lb-ft, making it even more powerful than the ludicrous Aventador SVJ. As a result, it can do 220 mph. However, the privilege of ownership will cost you around half a million bucks. Of course, as the last-ever Aventador, your investment will be safe for years to come. 350 coupes will be built while roadsters will be limited to a production run of 250. There's another limited-run Lambo coming next year too, but we'll get to that later.

5. 2022 Maserati MC20

Maserati has its mojo back, and there's no better proof of that than its all-new supercar. Powered by a bespoke 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 that we're told is unrelated to that of the Ferrari 296 GTB, the 2022 Maserati MC20 produces 621 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 mph will take under three seconds thanks to the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic providing lightning-quick shifts. Heralding a new era by being the first model to wear Maserati's redesigned Trident logo, the MC20 is critical to the Italian automaker's image. A roadster and an electric version are coming too, but don't expect to see either on the road until 2023 at the earliest. The $210,000 supercar is sold out for 2022, but new orders for the following model year are open and Maserati will build almost as many as people want to buy.

Notable Mentions

We will see loads of new exotic supercars arrive on the scene next year, but some are newer than others. Among those that are not entirely redesigned are the Pagani Huayra R, Nissan GT-R Nismo, and the special-edition Lamborghini Countach, which is new but employs old technology borrowed from the Aventador and Sian hybrid.

Joining them for the new model year will also be a slew of McLarens, including the 765 LT Spider and the triple-S selection that is the Senna, Speedtail, and Sabre. Woking's V6-powered Artura super sports car is also set to be a common sight at your local Cars & Coffee, while Maserati's GranTurismo coupe may go on sale late next year too. A special send-off for the unelectrified Audi R8 is also promised to arrive, so there's plenty for the average supercar-spotting YouTuber to get excited about in 2022.