Acura NSX prototype will drive Mid-Ohio prior to IndyCar race

Acura's new, long-awaited NSX is still two years from arriving in customers' impatient hands, but attend the Izod IndyCar Series race at Mid-Ohio on Aug. 4 and you'll have the opportunity to see and hear the car in action. Acura on Thursday released an image of a prototype NSX, and said the car will take to the racetrack just prior to the Honda Indy 200 in Lexington, Ohio.

Mid-Ohio is a logical venue to show off the NSX, as global development of the car, slated for launch in 2015, is being led by engineers at Honda R&D Americas in Raymond, Ohio. Additionally, Acura in May announced that the NSX will be produced at the newly established Performance Manufacturing Center in nearby Marysville, Ohio. And, of course, Honda is a longtime IndyCar engine supplier.

The prototype that will tackle Mid-Ohio maintains the styling and proportions of the NSX Concept that debuted at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, while packaging the production vehicle's mid-mounted V6 engine mated to Acura's new three-motor Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) system.

By Autoweek staff