Honda has released the first official images of the Acura NSX GT3 racecar as it continues its preparation for a North American racing debut in 2017.

The twin-turbocharged Acura NSX GT3 was photographed with unpainted carbon fibre bodywork at GingerMan Raceway in South Haven as Honda prepare for the car’s homologation into FIA GT3 this autumn.

“Building on the very solid foundation of the production NSX, we’re making steady progress in our development and looking forward to campaigning the GT3 racecar next year,” said Art St. Cyr, president of Honda Performance Development.

The NSX GT3 racecar is powered by a 3.5-liter, 75-degree, twin turbocharged DOHC V-6 engine using the same design specifications as the engine in the production 2017 Acura NSX, including the block, heads, valvetrain, crankshaft, pistons and dry sump lubrication system. The engine is paired with a 6-speed, sequential-shift racing gearbox, delivering power to the rear wheels.

The Acura NSX GT3 is produced by the Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio, the manufacturing home for the new Acura NSX. Its twin turbocharged V-6 engine is also assembled in Ohio.

Initial development of the NSX GT3 racecar was conducted by the company’s Japanese race engineering arm with testing on race circuits in Europe and Japan. Additional development, testing and final homologation to FIA GT3 global racing specifications is currently being undertaken by the company’s North American race engineering group, Honda Performance Development (HPD), in Santa Clarita, California.