Acura just ripped the covers off its fully race-ready NSX GT3 racecar in New York.
And the most intriguing elements of the machine? Perhaps the total drivetrain revamp versus the AWD, triple-motor SH-AWD production model.
FIA GT3 rules do not have a hybrid slot yet, so this NSX GT3 swaps its clever electric motors for pure turbocharged thrust. The main engine is the same as the production NSX, but the rear-drive conversion brings in a sequential six-speed paddle-shifter and likely some very clever racing differential tech.
Acura plans to race this car in FIA GT3 classes starting in fall 2016, but it remains unclear if the car will be available to privateers or just the factory race team.
Regardless, it is a strong counterpunch to those — like us — who balk at the NSX road car’s $200k pricing.
We hope a few podium finishes for outright race wins will help the NSX halo to glow brighter than it does now.
This model also shows the way forward in NSX aerodynamics: the panels are virtually production-spec in how close the GT3 car is to the road model. Aside from the giant wings and centerlock race wheel/tire package… this GT3 is some proof in the original shape’s aero merits.
We’d love to see a rear-drive NSX road car as well, but that is a longshot.
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Posted by Car Revs Daily on Wednesday, March 23, 2016
2017 Acura NSX GT3
ACURA UNVEILS NSX GT3 RACECAR IN NEW YORK
- Twin turbocharged NSX supercar to campaign in North American competition starting 2017
- NSX slated to undergo homologation this fall as an FIA GT3 class racecar
- Racecar body to be built by the Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio, the exclusive manufacturing home to the all-new Acura NSX supercar; engine to be produced in Anna, Ohio
Mar 23, 2016 – NEW YORK, NY — Acura took the wraps off a NSX GT3 racecar today at the 2016 New York International Auto Show, announcing its intention to campaign the twin-turbocharged NSX supercar in North America starting in 2017. The NSX is currently undergoing testing and slated for homologation as an FIA GT3 class racecar this fall.
The unveiled Acura NSX GT3 racecar featured custom bodywork and aero components including a large deck wing spoiler, underbody diffuser and enlarged hood vents for efficient engine cooling. The NSX GT3 will be powered by a 3.5-liter, 75-degree, twin turbocharged DOHC V-6 engine using the same design specifications as the engine in the production 2017 Acura NSX, including the block, heads, valvetrain, crankshaft, pistons and dry sump lubrication system. The engine will be paired with a 6-speed, sequential-shift racing gearbox, delivering power to the rear wheels.
The NSX GT3 will utilize the production NSX’s ultra-rigid and lightweight multi-material body with aluminum-intensive space frame, which will be produced by the Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio, the exclusive manufacturing home for the new Acura NSX. Its twin turbocharged V-6 engine will also be manufactured in Ohio.
Initial development of the NSX GT3 was conducted by the company’s Japan race engineering arm with testing on race circuits in Europe and Japan. Additional development, testing and final homologation to FIA GT3 global racing specifications is currently being undertaken by the company’s North American race engineering group, Honda Performance Development (HPD), in Santa Clarita, California.
“The NSX was designed as a pinnacle expression of Acura Precision Crafted Performance, and we’re looking forward to proving out its ultimate performance capabilities in GT3 racing,” said Art St. Cyr, president of Honda Performance Development. “We’ll be working with the NSX engineering teams in Ohio and Japan to bring our dream of a truly world-class new Acura NSX racecar to fruition.”
The Acura NSX GT3 car will join a rich legacy of Acura sports car racing campaigns and championships, including the 1991, 1992 and 1993 IMSA Camel Lights manufacturer and driver championships, and the 2009 American LeMans manufacturer, driver and team championships in both the LMP1 and LMP2 classes. Acura currently campaigns a pair of TLX GT cars with Real Time Racing in the Pirelli World Challenge.
The production 2017 Acura NSX launches this spring with serial production slated to begin in late April at the Performance Manufacturing Center. Customer order taking commenced on February 25, 2016, with the launch of the NSX online configurator at NSX.Acura.com.
About the Acura NSX
Created to bring a new sports experience to the supercar segment, the next-generation Acura NSX challenges conventional beliefs about supercars, with cutting-edge and world-first technologies. Much as the first generation NSX did a quarter century ago, the 2017 NSX breaks the mold through a first-of-its-kind Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ power unit, a multi-material body structure, advanced aerodynamics and a cockpit that supports performance driving on every level without sacrificing comfort. The 2017 Acura NSX is the only supercar designed, developed and manufactured in the U.S. with production exclusively at the Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio with domestic and globally sourced parts.
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
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