Honda Converts NSX-GT Racer to Front Engine Layout

Making the Move

Honda's production NSX has famously featured a mid-engine layout throughout its lifespan. And that's obviously a big part of what makes it so special. But for the 2020 Super GT season, Honda has been forced to change their NSX-GT racer to a front-engine configuration, thanks to some recent rules changes, according to Motorsport.

Photos: Honda

Two Into One

Last year, Super GT and DTM racing developed a new "Class One" set of rules aimed at aligning the two series and allowing similar cars to compete in both. One of those rules, of course, is that all participating entries must use a front-engine layout. 

Photos: Honda

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Too Dominant?

This was obviously troubling news for Honda after they utterly dominated the first half of the 2018 season. To the point where the manufacturer was issued a weight penalty designed to level the playing field. Thus, perhaps Honda's mid-engine layout was a bit too dominant for Super GT, after all.

Photos: Honda

>>Join the conversation about the NSX-GT right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!

Change of Plans

Initially, Motorsport reported that Honda rightfully resisted this change. "To be honest, at this moment we are discussing with GTA about how to incorporate ‘mid-ship’ cars to the regulations," said the manufacturer's motorsport boss, Masashi Yamamoto. "At the moment we are planning to enter 2020 with a mid-ship car. It will be a development of the current car in accordance with Class One regulations."

Photos: Honda

>>Join the conversation about the NSX-GT right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!

Major Changes

This idea seemed unlikely to ever come to fruition, however. Other manufacturers were making major changes to conform to these new rules at the time. This included Toyota, who is replacing their current Lexus LC500 with the new Supra. Nissan was also rumored to be working on an entirely clean-sheet design of its GT-R racer as well.

Photos: Honda

>>Join the conversation about the NSX-GT right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!

Same as the Old Car

Thus, Honda was seemingly forced to change course. The brand recently confirmed that they would be changing the NSX-GT to a front-engine format, and brought along an early example of the new car to show to the public. Unsurprisingly, it looks nearly identical to the existing NSX-GT.

Photos: Honda

>>Join the conversation about the NSX-GT right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!

Correct Move

In the end, this was probably the right move for both Honda and the new Class One rule set in general. This way, there won't be any excuses for other manufacturers as it clearly levels the playing field. And in the end, that's what we fans want to see, anyway.

Photos: Honda

>>Join the conversation about the NSX-GT right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!

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