Press release
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june 09, 2017 - Acura
Acura NSX and TLX to Race Up Pikes Peak; New TLX A-Spec Makes Racing Debut
The #tlx GT, driven by long-time #acura race car driver Peter Cunningham in his #pikespeak debut, will compete in the #pikespeak Open class, while Honda R&D engineer Nick Robinson, coming off victory in an #nsx in last year's #pikespeak Time Attack 2 Production class, will drive a 2018 #acura #tlx A-Spec that will make its #racing debut in the Exhibition class. Honda R&D engineer and Nick's brother, James Robinson, will drive a production-based #nsx with GT3-inspired modifications in the Time Attack 1 class.
This is the sixth consecutive year that #acura will race vehicles in the #pikespeak event.
2018 #acura #tlx A-Spec #racing Debut
The #pikespeak #acura #tlx A-Spec features a modified suspension, a 500-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 turbo engine and a limited-slip differential for more effective transfer of power to the front wheels. Optimized specifically for this hill climb course, custom engine software and tuning was done in-house by a team of North American Honda R&D engineers. Much of the major engine hardware was pulled from the #tlx GT program, including rods, pistons, camshafts and valvetrain. On the exterior, the #tlx A-Spec features a hand-crafted carbon-fiber splitter and standoff rear wing while the interior has been entirely stripped of its luxury appointments to reduce weight. A veteran of #pikespeak, Nick Robinson has run the course for several years, winning the motorcycle #pikespeak 250 class in 2014. Last year, Robinson piloted the 2017 #nsx to victory in the Time Attack 2 Production class.
Acura #tlx GT Returns to Competition
The all-wheel drive #tlx GT race car features the same twin-turbo V6 motor setup used in the Pirelli World Challenge series from 2014 to 2016, but has been tuned on multiple levels to accommodate the elevation changes of #pikespeak. The new software mapping developed by Honda Performance Development (HPD) optimizes turbo operation and boost pressures for the decreased levels of oxygen on the way to the 14,115-foot summit. HPD also tuned the #tlx GT's suspension specifically for this hill climb environment, and the transmission's gearing has been revised for faster acceleration coming out of the course's many hairpin turns.
Other modifications to the #acura #tlx GT include aerodynamic components such as the addition of front fender louvres and revised dive planes. Also, the rear wing was moved up and back to increase downforce. The #tlx GT will be piloted by Peter Cunningham of RealTime #racing who has been #racing Acuras since 1992. The #pikespeak "rookie" has claimed 14 professional drivers' championships, in a variety of disciplines including road #racing, ice #racing and performance rallying.
"I've always wanted to race with #acura at #pikespeak. It's a challenge I've never done," said Cunningham. "I think we have a great opportunity with the #acura #tlx GT and look forward to seeing how it competes on the hill."
GT3-inspired #acura #nsx Set for Time Attack 1
The 2017 #acura #nsx competing in the Time Attack 1 class will be driven by James Robinson of Honda R&D's North American powertrain development group. A veteran of #pikespeak, James has competed since 2011, driving a first-generation #nsx in the #pikespeak Hill Climb from 2012 to 2015 and winning the Exhibition class in 2011. Taking learnings from last year's run, as well as adopting ideas from the #nsx GT3 race car, the #nsx has been lightened and aerodynamic elements have been added, including a bigger wing and front splitter. The NSX's software has been tuned to optimize engine and the Sport Hybrid system performance for the hill climb. Also, R-compound tires will complement the production vehicle's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD™).
As the Official Pace Car sponsor, #acura will feature the recently launched 2018 #tlx A-Spec, sporting the new #acura design direction. In addition, #acura will provide MDX Rookie Orientation vehicles for coaches' use leading up to the race. Jack Glavan, manager of the #pikespeak Highway and an incredible supporter of #pikespeak for many years, will lead the field of 100 entrants to the top of the 14,115-foot Colorado peak.
For #pikespeak race attendees, the #tlx GT, #tlx A-Spec, #nsx and pace cars will appear at a number of pre-race activities, including the popular Fan Fest on June 23 in downtown Colorado Springs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. MDT.
About Acura
Acura is a leading #automotive luxury nameplate that delivers Precision Crafted Performance, an original approach to technology and design that creates a new driving experience. The #acura lineup features six distinctive models – the RLX premium luxury sedan, the #tlx performance luxury sedan, the ILX sport sedan, the 5-passenger RDX luxury crossover SUV, the seven-passenger #acura MDX, America's all-time best-selling three-row luxury SUV and the next-generation, electrified #nsx supercar as the pinnacle expression of #acura Precision Crafted Performance.
For More Information
Consumer information is available at www.acura.com. To join the #acura community on Facebook, visit facebook.com/Acura. Additional media information including pricing, features and high-resolution photography is available at acuranews.com/channels/acura-automobiles.
MUL17 Hero NSX TLX Static 001 IMG 3241 Final
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NSX17 001 IMG 2616 Final
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NSX17 002 IMG 2799 Final
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