The pre-production prototype was outfitted with a racing-inspired livery, however it was actually serving as the official pace car for the event.
Honda public-relations manager Sage Marie was an appropriate choice to make the first run up the mountain, drawing upon his experience competing in the 2013 and 2014 climbs among a handful of other Honda employees.
“As the pace car, the beast that is NSX will not be fully let of its cage, but fans and drivers will still get a first glimpse of the unique character, performance and handling of the NSX in a one-of-a-kind racing environment,” Mike Accavitti, Acura’s senior VP and general manager, said in a statement ahead of the event last month.
The company captured the run via car-mounted cameras, dozens of stationary roadside cameras and a helicopter for an aerial perspective.
Unveiled early this year in Detroit, the 2016 NSX showcases Acura’s most advanced technologies and latest design language. A mid-mounted twin-turbo V6 engine powers the rear wheels, while two electric motors provide instantaneous and independent torque control for the front wheels.
The NSX is expected to arrive in showrooms before the end of the year, likely with a price tag around $150,000.
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