Front-Engine RWD NSX Test Mule
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Front-Engine RWD NSX Test Mule
Front-engine-Rear Wheel Drive NSX!!
6 October 2010 6 Comments
Acura (or Honda for the JDM crowd) NSX came from the factory as a transversely mounted mid-engine, rear wheel drive car. This layout was chosen for its relatively favorable weight distribution.
But just recently at the Twin Ring Motegi, a return of of the original NSX in GT form was there testing along side the new HSV-010 GT – the racecar that replaced it.
So what’s the deal? Well word is that this is a Front Engine, Rear Wheel Drive (FR) NSX.
Honda brought out their FR NSX “test mule” to the track equipped with Kinetic Energy Recovery System aka KERS. The system was supplied by ZYTEK – same supplier for the F1 Mclaren team.
The ZYTEK staff were on hand during the test day gathering as much data as possible. And reports from as-web said that while it cruised down the pit area powered mostly by KERS, the car did not emit any sound at all.
With the KERS being involve in the future of the Super GT racecars, Toyota and Nissan participated in the test as well.
The FR NSX ran about 45 laps during the test session. The best lap it was able to record was 1:50.634. For reference, the last time the NSX-GT in its mid mounted engine layout ran this course, it recorded a 1:44.390 by ARTA NSX – fully tuned during the 2nd qualifying of Round 9 in the 2009 season. Not bad for its first day out.
6 October 2010 6 Comments
Acura (or Honda for the JDM crowd) NSX came from the factory as a transversely mounted mid-engine, rear wheel drive car. This layout was chosen for its relatively favorable weight distribution.
But just recently at the Twin Ring Motegi, a return of of the original NSX in GT form was there testing along side the new HSV-010 GT – the racecar that replaced it.
So what’s the deal? Well word is that this is a Front Engine, Rear Wheel Drive (FR) NSX.
Honda brought out their FR NSX “test mule” to the track equipped with Kinetic Energy Recovery System aka KERS. The system was supplied by ZYTEK – same supplier for the F1 Mclaren team.
The ZYTEK staff were on hand during the test day gathering as much data as possible. And reports from as-web said that while it cruised down the pit area powered mostly by KERS, the car did not emit any sound at all.
With the KERS being involve in the future of the Super GT racecars, Toyota and Nissan participated in the test as well.
The FR NSX ran about 45 laps during the test session. The best lap it was able to record was 1:50.634. For reference, the last time the NSX-GT in its mid mounted engine layout ran this course, it recorded a 1:44.390 by ARTA NSX – fully tuned during the 2nd qualifying of Round 9 in the 2009 season. Not bad for its first day out.
UPDATE:
I put together a comparison shot of the original “MR” NSX vs the “FR” NSX test mule. The main exterior differences are noted in the image.
The extra room on the front end of the FR NSX GT was designed to accommodate the V8 engine
More info posted at SuperGT.netI put together a comparison shot of the original “MR” NSX vs the “FR” NSX test mule. The main exterior differences are noted in the image.
The extra room on the front end of the FR NSX GT was designed to accommodate the V8 engine
System mounted on FR type NSX. Tests eye 2012 regulation changes
The reason for this special appearance was to test a new hybrid system mounted in the FR type NSX. The new SUPER GT regulation set to go into effect for the 2012 season will enable participation of cars with hybrid systems. With regard to the use of hybrid systems, GTA has been in talks with the three makers competing in the GT500 class, and Honda has stepped forward this time with an advance hybrid technology development project.
The system in use is made by Zytek and is said to be a battery-equipped & liquid-cooled hybrid system. Initial shakedown testing has already been conducted a month ago, but this appearance marked the first full-fledged track tests. The system has a 40kw output and is said to be capable not only of powering an overtake button function like those used in F1 but also powering the car as an EV (electric-powered vehicle) in the pit lane. What’s more, it is reported that the battery can be charged from a no-charge state to full charge while running just one lap of a racetrack. A full charge is said to power the overtake button for approximately 20 seconds of use.
According to a Honda spokesperson, the total weight of the system is about 50 kg. The battery and the radiator that cools it are mounted in the rear of the car. The engine mounted in the front of the vehicle is said to be the same 3.4-liter V8 presently used by Honda in the GT500 machines, but the overall weight of the car with the hybrid system is approximately 100 kg heavier than the current GT500 machine.
Because they wanted the opinion of a veteran driver,” Katsutomo Kaneishi was chosen as the test driver. Despite the added weight of the car, Kaneishi succeeded in breaking the 1 min. 50 sec. barrier on the Motegi track on the second day of tests with a lap time of 1 min. 49.468 sec. That was just 4.453 seconds behind the fastest time recorded in that session by the ENEOS SC430.
Although there will surely be further testing and development before a hybrid system like this is actually used in GT competition, the initial results were positive. At present it is not clear whether GTA will supply this system to all cars participating in the GT500 class from the 2012 season. It is likely that development will continue in consultation with the various makers to determine the appropriate timing for full-scale adoption.
source: as-web, Minkara, SuperGT.net
The reason for this special appearance was to test a new hybrid system mounted in the FR type NSX. The new SUPER GT regulation set to go into effect for the 2012 season will enable participation of cars with hybrid systems. With regard to the use of hybrid systems, GTA has been in talks with the three makers competing in the GT500 class, and Honda has stepped forward this time with an advance hybrid technology development project.
The system in use is made by Zytek and is said to be a battery-equipped & liquid-cooled hybrid system. Initial shakedown testing has already been conducted a month ago, but this appearance marked the first full-fledged track tests. The system has a 40kw output and is said to be capable not only of powering an overtake button function like those used in F1 but also powering the car as an EV (electric-powered vehicle) in the pit lane. What’s more, it is reported that the battery can be charged from a no-charge state to full charge while running just one lap of a racetrack. A full charge is said to power the overtake button for approximately 20 seconds of use.
According to a Honda spokesperson, the total weight of the system is about 50 kg. The battery and the radiator that cools it are mounted in the rear of the car. The engine mounted in the front of the vehicle is said to be the same 3.4-liter V8 presently used by Honda in the GT500 machines, but the overall weight of the car with the hybrid system is approximately 100 kg heavier than the current GT500 machine.
Because they wanted the opinion of a veteran driver,” Katsutomo Kaneishi was chosen as the test driver. Despite the added weight of the car, Kaneishi succeeded in breaking the 1 min. 50 sec. barrier on the Motegi track on the second day of tests with a lap time of 1 min. 49.468 sec. That was just 4.453 seconds behind the fastest time recorded in that session by the ENEOS SC430.
Although there will surely be further testing and development before a hybrid system like this is actually used in GT competition, the initial results were positive. At present it is not clear whether GTA will supply this system to all cars participating in the GT500 class from the 2012 season. It is likely that development will continue in consultation with the various makers to determine the appropriate timing for full-scale adoption.
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