Today, Honda officially introduced its all-new HSV-010 GT racing car with which it will compete in the GT500 class of the Japanese 2010 Super GT series. The HSV-010 GT, which will take the place of the racing variant of the NSX, is all that has been left from Honda's V10 powered supercar project that got canned at the end of 2008 due to the recession.
Instead of wasting all the work that went into the development of the Honda / Acura NSX's spiritual replacement, the Japanese firm decided to use the supercar as a base for its Super GT contender.
Although the HSV-010 GT keeps the unfinished production model's front-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive layout, Honda's engineers ditched the V10 powerplant in favor of a naturally-aspirated 3.4-liter V8 unit that churns out more than 500-horsepower and over 392Nm or 289 lb-ft of peak torque.
Honda says that the blacked-out racing model tips the scales at a little over 1,100 kg or about 2,425 pounds and features a double wishbone suspension all around, steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters for the transmission and a rack and pinion system with electric power steering.
Honda HSV-010 GT Spec Sheet
Specifications and performance characteristics
Length x Width x Height (m): 4.675 x 2.000 x (not disclosed)
Wheelbase (m): 2.700
Vehicle weight (kg): 1,100 or more
Engine name: HR10EG
Configuration: Liquid-cooled, naturally aspirated, longitudinal V8
V angle (°): 90
Valve train: Gear-driven DOHC: 2 intake and 2 exhaust valves per cylinder
Displacement (cm3): 3,397
Bore x stroke (mm): 93.0 x 62.5
Compression ratio: (Not disclosed)
Maximum output: 500 or more
Maximum torque(Nm): 392 or more
Throttle control system: Mechanical
Fuel supply system: Programmed fuel injection system (Honda PGM-FI)
Fuel: Lead-free premium gasoline
Lubrication: Dry sump
Transmission mechanism: Constant mesh
Transmission shifting method: Steering paddle shifter
Steering system mechanism: Rack and pinion system with electric power steering (EPS)
Tyres: Front 330/40R18, Rear 330/45R17
Brake type and mechanism: Hydraulic ventilated disc system
Suspension system: Double wishbone
Stabilizer: Torsion bar
Note: The letters "HSV" stand for Honda Sports Velocity.