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2017 Acura NSX GT3 Racecar Ditches Hybrid and AWD Systems

We’ve waited long enough for the second coming of the NSX, but the wait was worth it. Make no mistake about it, the 2017 Acura NSX is an impressive overall package in the realm of hybridized supercars. In this regard, it’s somewhat curious, if not nonsensical, that Acura decided to get rid of the hybrid and AWD systems for the race-ready NSX GT3.
2017 Acura NSX GT3 racecar 14 photos
Photo: Acura
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Acura wasn’t being daft, though, because the 2017 Acura NSX GT3 has been developed to comply with FIA GT3 class rules. As such, the 9-speed dual-clutch auto had to go. Instead of the production car's transmission, the job of swapping cogs is handled by a 6-speed sequential transmission in the NSX GT3.

Engine-wise, the manufacturer hung on to the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, with drive sent to the rear wheels. The aluminum space frame is mostly unchanged from the production model, though engineers draped it in a far more aggressive body shell, which is adorned with downforce to keep the rear end glued to the ground.

“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,” commented Art St. Cyr, the head honcho of Honda’s Performance Development division. “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 2017 Acura NSX GT3 is slated to start racing next year in a North American series, most probably the United SportsCar Championship. For those readers who were wondering if the Acura NSX GT3 would enter the gruelling 24 Hours of Le Mans next year, the answer is that it probably will not. At least not for the time being. The Pirelli World Challenge and Blancpain Endurance Series seem more likely.

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About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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