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