While the Acura ARX-05 DPi and Acura NSX GT3 Evo come from the same automaker, these two racers are worlds apart when it comes to the driving experience and how quickly they can lap a circuit.
Earlier this year, Acura drivers Ricky Taylor and Trent Hindman headed to Sebring International Raceway and jumped behind the wheels of each other’s cars to see just how they differ. Ordinarily, Taylor drives the No. 7 ARX-05 Daytona Prototype International for Acura Team Penske while Hindman pilots the No. 85 NSX GT3 Evo.
First, it is Hindman’s chance to drive the prototype. Powering the vehicle is a mid-mounted twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 pumping out roughly 600 hp but it’s not outright power than makes the ARX-05 DPi special. For one, it tips the scales at a mere 2,050 lbs (930 kg) and also produces up to 3,000 lbs (1,360 kg) of downforce at 150 mph (241 km/h). This means it can take corners with far more pace than the NSX GT3 Evo.
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Another key difference which Hindman points out between the two is the braking. Whereas the NSX has ABS and iron brakes, the prototype runs on a set of carbon brakes which take quite a lot of time to get used to.
During the second half of the video, Taylor gets an opportunity to drive the NSX. Being production car-based, it doesn’t have a central seating position like the ARX-05 DPi. Taylor says it is very forgiving to drive but also requires far more pressure on the brake pedal to actually slow it down into corners. Downforce of the NSX is capped at 1,900 lbs (861 kg) so it can’t take corners at the same speed as the prototype.