Super GT Unveils New GT500 Cars

"nobody" (nobody13)
08/16/2013 at 00:07 • Filed to: super gt, dtm, gt500

As part of their rules unification with DTM, Super GT unveiled next year's GT500 cars today. The Nissan GT-R, Honda NSX, and Lexus (sigh) LF-CC. The cars are powered by a 2.0L turbo direct-injected 4 cylinder engine, production 550 bhp, with 50 more available via a hybrid system. I don't know if DTM cars will be allowed to run GT500 next year, since the Germans run V8s, but Audi says they will have a customer car available in 2015.

The chassis the cars are built on is designed for the front-mid engine position of the DTM, but Honda wanted to run the NSX as a mid-engined car. These vents and the lack of side exhausts make it look like the car is mid-engined.

If you speak Japanese, or can parse Google Translate Engrish better than me, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! makes it sound like the NSX is indeed mid-engined. Check !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! for more pictures of the unveiling. There are more pictures !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

DISCUSSION (19)

GhostZ > nobody
08/16/2013 at 00:19

The GT-R is going to have the best Aero I think. That front end may seriously damper Lexus's straight-line aerodynamic performance, which could really hurt it on Fuji and other high-speed courses, which is where those SC430's really shined this season.

I don't like how the cars are becoming less and less production-based. Especially with the switch over to 4 cylinder engines.

I miss the days of 500HP N/A Nissan V8s.

HammerheadFistpunch > nobody
08/16/2013 at 00:38

ah, didn't read this before i posted on the other one. How is it that you follow all the same racing as me. Super GT, Americas Cup...

nobody > HammerheadFistpunch
08/16/2013 at 00:39

You know Fight Club? I'm actually you.

HammerheadFistpunch > nobody
08/16/2013 at 00:41

dammit, that makes you AND J. Walter as my dopplgangers/me. Its getting crowded in here.

Mikeado > GhostZ
08/16/2013 at 06:11

They've been silhouette racers with racing engines for a while now. I'm not aware any of the current ones have production parts other than lights.

Mikeado > nobody
08/16/2013 at 06:12

Wow, half the cylinders and an extra 50bhp. Add in KERS and it should be called GT600! The less wacky aero is disappointing, to be honest, and there seem to be two near-production concept cars racing in 2014...

I'll be interesting to see how DTM responds and how long it takes for them to merge.

Bakkster, touring car driver > nobody
08/16/2013 at 10:16

Word is, DTM is going to be on the 2.0L I4s as well, they just delayed a year because BMW (I think) just built their new V8 and they wanted to give it enough years to be worth it.

From what I've gathered the cars are supposed to be compatible starting either next year or 2015.

Also, anyone else find it funny that when you build a silhouette race car from a spec chassis you call it either a GT, touring car, or stock car based on the continent you're racing it in?

Brumos59fan > nobody
08/16/2013 at 10:17

Um, I respect Honda for wanting their NSX race car to be mid engine like the "production" car but then why make it look like an Accord Coupe?

racingmaniac > Mikeado
08/16/2013 at 10:32

IIRC the current car actually still uses production roof....They built the current pre-2014 car still on the Production unibody, but make the racing "tub" around it. Since a few years ago they all switched to the Formula Nippon 3.4L V8(since Nissan, Toyota and Honda all make their own) The 2014 reg moves it to use DTM style standardized tub. I don't know how much DTM reg they are using since I think DTM actually have quite a lot of standard components in suspension and aero as well.

I know all this is good for letting more OEMs race their toy around the world, but this is killing the diversity of the cars.

SubiSanchez > nobody
08/16/2013 at 11:40

I had been waiting for ever to see Toyota run the LF-A in Super GT! Sigh. Oh well im interested to see how this new generation of cars is gonna perform and if they're eventually gonna mix it up with DTM cars.

GhostZ > Mikeado
08/16/2013 at 13:46

Yeah, I'm waxing nostalgic about the JGTC days.

Bakkster, touring car driver > nobody
08/16/2013 at 13:59

Cars won't be compatible til 2017, when the DTM engine regs match.

http://www.racer.com/dtm-compatible…

nobody > Bakkster, touring car driver
08/16/2013 at 14:06

But any of the Germans could put am I4 in their car and run it, yes?

Bakkster, touring car driver > nobody
08/16/2013 at 14:16

In theory, but they won't yet because they're expensive!