NSX “Dream Project” and Acura Motorsports Excellence on Display at SEMA 2017
- Debut of ScienceofSpeed’s 610 horsepower modified second-generation NSX “Dream Project”
- Fresh from the podium, Acura displays production-based race cars including NSX GT3, and TLX GT, TLX A-Spec and NSX from 2017 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
- Acura ARX-05 DPi race car makes pre-season appearance with finalized Team Penske driver lineup
TORRANCE, Calif. (Oct. 30, 2017) – The depth and breadth of Acura Motorsports will be on display at this year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas, October 31-November 3. The ARX-05 Daytona Prototype international (DPi), Acura’s newest race car, will be featured just months ahead of its competition debut at the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January 2018. The ARX-05 is joined by an exposed carbon fiber-bodied NSX GT3 race car and three podium-finishing Acura race cars fresh from this year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
Also debuting at SEMA is the “Dream Project” second-generation NSX created by acclaimed NSX specialist, ScienceofSpeed. The modified Nouvelle Blue Pearl 2017 Acura NSX features a GT3-inspired carbon fiber aero kit, lightweight forged wheels, custom two-tone interior and subtle enhancements to the supercar’s powertrain and suspension to further elevate performance of the electrified supercar.
ScienceofSpeed “Dream Project” Acura NSX
Showcasing authentic performance enhancements for the second-generation NSX supercar, Acura has collaborated with ScienceofSpeed – established in 2001 – to create an aftermarket interpretation of the ultimate NSX.
The “Dream Project” Acura NSX features optimized engine performance through liquid injection intercooling and free-flowing high-performance downpipes and exhaust, resulting in a combined 610 horsepower (+37) and 507 lb.-ft. torque (+31). A more aggressive stance is achieved with the ScienceofSpeed lowering kit and wider Advan GT forged wheels. To make approaching difficult driveways and speed bumps easier, ScienceofSpeed integrated automatic sensing suspension technology from iLIFT which uses patented sensors to automatically raise the front axle of the NSX two-inches when obstacles are detected.
The Dream Project NSX features thoughtfully executed exterior and interior styling enhancements including a gloss black roof in homage to the first-generation NSX, a more aggressive GT3 inspired aero kit and custom interior highlighted by Recaro racing seats.
Acura ARX-05 Daytona Prototype
The ARX-05 marks the Acura brand’s return to prototype racing along with legendary partner Team Penske, which will campaign two Daytona Prototypes in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship next year. The Acura ARX-05 will make its competition debut in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January 2018 with two teams of renowned and winning drivers including Juan Pablo Montoya, Helio Castoneves, Graham Rahal, Dane Cameron, Ricky Taylor and Simon Pagenaud.
The Acura ARX-05 [Acura Racing eXperimental, generation 5] is the latest in a successful line of endurance prototypes fielded by the brand beginning more than 25 years ago (1991). The prototype race car utilizes the race-proven AR35TT twin-turbocharged engine, based on the production 3.5-liter V-6 that powers the Acura MDX, RDX, TLX and RLX. The AR35TT has powered class winners at the 12 Hours of Sebring, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and a LMP2 World Endurance Championship in 2012. The engine also powered entries to American Le Mans Series LMP2 titles in 2012 and 2013; and the overall winners at the Rolex 24, 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans in 2016.
Acura NSX GT3
The race-winning Acura NSX GT3 just wrapped its inaugural racing season with two teams racing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series and the Pirelli World Challenge series, finishing with four podiums and three victories.
Now offered for sale globally, the NSX GT3 features a multi-material body structure and TIG-welded chrome-moly roll cage, built alongside the production NSX at the Performance Manufacturing Center (PMC) in Marysville, Ohio. The production-based 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 racing engine uses the same design specifications as the production NSX, including the block, heads, valve train, crankshaft, pistons and dry-sump lubrication system and is assembled alongside the production engine at the Anna Engine Plant (AEP) in Anna, Ohio. Final assembly of the race car is completed at JAS Motorsport in Italy.
The NSX GT3 is eligible to compete in more than two dozen FIA-sanctioned racing series around the world including:
- IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (North America)
- Pirelli World Challenge (North America)
- Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup (Europe)
- ADAC Zurich, 24 Hours Nurburgring (Europe)
- Blancpain GT Series (Asia)
- GT Asia Series
- Super GT GT300 class (Japan)
- Australian GT Championship
- Intercontinental GT Challenge
Additional options and complete customer support, including parts and service, training and engineering services are available. Orders for the NSX GT3 are being taken now by HPD, responsible for sales in North America, at AcuraClientRacing.com.
Pikes Peak Acura TLX A-Spec
The Pikes Peak-prepared Acura TLX A-Spec marked its racing debut in 2017, winning the top spot in the Exhibition Class with a time of 11:03.655 at the legendary hill climb. Pikes Peak veteran and engineer in charge of the NSX’s dynamic performance development, Nick Robinson, piloted the car.
A team of R&D engineers led by Robinson optimized the Pikes Peak Acura TLX A-Spec specifically for the hill climb through custom engine software and powertrain components pulled from the TLX GT race program, including rods, pistons, camshafts and valvetrain. The team turbocharged the 3.5-liter V-6 up to 500-horsepower and added a limited-slip differential for more effective transfer of power to the front wheels. Modified race suspension, brake components, and aggressive aero enhancements including a hand-crafted carbon-fiber splitter and standoff rear wing further enhance the TLX A-Spec’s race abilities.
Pikes Peak Acura TLX GT
In its first run to the 14,115-foot summit, the TLX GT, driven by long-time Acura race car driver, Peter Cunningham, set a new Open Class record this year, with a time of 9:33.797, finishing second overall and earning Cunningham “Rookie of the Year” honors for the annual event.
The all-wheel drive TLX GT race car features the same twin-turbo V-6 motor used in the Pirelli World Challenge series from 2014 to 2016, specifically tuned for the challenging elevation changes of Pikes Peak. The new software mapping developed by Honda Performance Development (HPD) optimized turbo operation and boost pressures for the decreased levels of oxygen on the way to the summit. HPD also tuned the TLX GT’s suspension for the hill climb environment, and the transmission’s gearing was revised for faster acceleration exiting the course’s many hair-pin turns.
Other modifications to the Acura TLX GT included aerodynamic components such as the addition of front fender louvres and more aggressive dive planes. Downforce was also increased by moving the rear wing up and back.
Pikes Peak GT3-inspired Acura NSX
The 2017 Acura NSX earned a podium finish in 10:03.433, taking third place in the highly competitive Time Attack 1 class. Behind the wheel was James Robinson of the company’s North American R&D powertrain development group. A veteran of Pikes Peak, James has competed every year since 2011, driving a first-generation NSX in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb from 2012 to 2015 and winning the Exhibition class in 2011.
Taking learnings from past runs, as well as adapting ideas from the successful NSX GT3 race car, the Pikes Peak NSX received weight reduction and additional aerodynamic elements, including a larger rear wing and front splitter. Software tuning for the engine the Sport Hybrid system and R-compound tires further optimized performance for the challenging hill climb.
“Motorsports has been an integral part of the Acura brand since our founding,” said Jon Ikeda, vice president & general manager of Acura. “We have had some tremendous success this past year and are looking forward to our return to prototype racing with Team Penske in 2018.”