In case you were somehow unaware, let me be the first to tell ya – GT3 racing is an awesome spectacle. Imagine a long line of production-based competition vehicles hailing from some of the biggest names in automotive performance. Forget the V-8-powered metal shells of NASCAR and the unobtanium spaceships of Formula 1 – GT cars are actually somewhat recognizable as iterations of their street-legal counterparts, plus the requisite aero enhancements, of course. For well-heeled individuals interested in playing race car driver, the GT3 class makes for a tempting adventure, especially with all the customer racing options now offered direct from the factory. Now, Acura is sweetening the pot with this – the NSX GT3 race car, available to anyone with an extra $500,000 to burn and an insatiable need for speed.

Offered for purchase globally in anticipation of the 2018 race season, the NSX GT3 is close in spec to the street machine, but with some notable differences – for example, the hybrid AWD system was replaced with RWD and gas-only power. Honda Performance Development is taking orders now, starting at 465,000 Euros, or $546,491 at current exchange rates (07/28/2017). North American buyers are directed to browse AcuraClientRacing.com, while MUGEN2 is handling sales in Japan. Buyers in the rest of Asia, Europe, and the Middle East are advised to contact JAS Motorsport. Acura and Honda are also offering customers access to “parts and service,” as well as “training and engineering services,” if needed. Read on for more info on the car.

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The Full Story

Although it was introduced as recently as 2016, the second-generation NSX is already looking to be quite the on-track monster, in particular this new GT3 edition. Acura says it boasts 50,000 miles of on-track development, as well as wins at Watkins Glen and Detroit in its inaugural season of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. What’s more, it’s surprisingly similar to the road car in terms of technical details.

Speaking of the specs, the racing NSX once again benefits from oodles of carbon fiber in its construction. The GT3 chassis, including the body and TIG-welded chrome-moly roll cage, is produced in the same Ohio-based manufacturing plant as the production car. It should also be noted that the facility also runs a repair and service center for the GT3.

The GT3’s engine is based on the roadcar’s twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6, which is also produced in Ohio alongside the production car’s powerplant. The racing engine uses many of the same components as the street car, including the block, heads, valve train, crankshaft, pistons, and dry-sump lubrication. The drivetrain, however, differs, utilizing a six-speed sequential gearbox routing power exclusively to the rear, as opposed to the nine-speed automatic and AWD system of the street car. The hybrid system is also ditched, all in the name of meeting regulations on as broad a scale as possible.

As such, the GT3 is eligible for a variety of racing series, including the Pirelli World Challenge and WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in North America, the Blancpain GT Series and 24 Hours Nurburgring in Europe, the Blancpain GT Series Asia and GT Asia Series, the Super GT GT300 class in Japan, the Australian GT Championship, and the Intercontinental GT Challenge.

2016 Acura NSX Specs

Power Unit

Sport Hybrid SH-AWD Power Unit

Front wheels: mechanically independent from rear power unit components, two electric motors (Twin Motor Unit); Rear wheels: Twin-turbocharged V-6 gasoline engine with one Direct Drive Motor and 9-speed DCT

Maximum Total System Power

573 HP

Approx. Top Speed

191 MPH

ENGINE

Type

Twin-turbocharged DOHC V6

Layout

Longitudinally mid-mounted

Displacement

3493 cc

Horsepower - SAE Net

500 HP @ 6500-7500 RPM

Torque

406 LB-FT @ 2000-6000 RPM

Maximum Engine Speed

7500 rpm

Power Output Per Liter

143 hp/liter

Bore and Stroke

3.6 in. x 3.5 in.

Compression Ratio

10.0:1

Valve Train

24 Valve, IN/EX VTC, chain-driven camshafts

Intake Valve Construction

Forged steel

Exhaust Valve Construction

Forged steel , sodium-filled

Valve Angle

30 degrees (include angle)

Cylinder Block and Head Material

Aluminum alloy

Cylinder Bore Lining

Plasma transferred wire arc thermal spray

Cylinder Bank Angle

75 degrees

Crankshaft Construction

Forged steel

Piston Construction

Cast aluminum with integrated cooling channel

Connecting Rod Construction

Forged steel, dowel pin

Fuel Injection

Direct and port

Throttle Control

Drive-by-Wire throttle system

Fuel Requirement

Premium unleaded

Lubrication

Dry sump system with 6-rotor scavenge pump

Oil Type

Synthetic 0W-40

Cooling system

Liquid and oil cooling

Exhaust System Layout

Dual catalytic converter, dual path per bank

TWIN TURBOCHARGERS

Turbocharger Type

Single vane

Maximum Boost Pressure

105 kPa (1.05 bar)

Turbine Construction

Inconel

Wastegate Control

Electrical

Recirculation Valves

Air bypass type

Intercooler Dimensions

Width 232.2 mm; Height 382 mm; Thickness 64 mm

REAR DIRECT DRIVE MOTOR

Type

Water-cooled motor/generator

Layout

Direct drive situated between engine & transmission; Crankshaft output shaft-attached permanent magnet rotor & in-engine body- copper windings

Type

47 HP @ 3000 RPM

Torque

109 LB-FT @ 500-2000 RPM


“We’ve intended to compete at the highest level since the NSX was just a sketch on a pad. To see the NSX GT3 winning races and now available for racers and track enthusiasts to enjoy around the world is a major milestone for the second generation NSX, the Acura brand and the global development team that made it possible,” says Acura’s VP and General Manager Jon Ikeda.

What do you think? Does the NSX GT3 tickle your fancy, or would you rather go with something from Porsche, or Audi, or Ferrari, or McLaren, or Lamborghini? Let us know in the comments.

Further Reading

Read our full review on the 2016 Acura NSX

Read our full review on the 2017 Acura NSX GT3

Read our speculative review on the Acura NSX Type R