Acura has announced that it is going to race two special TLX sedans at this year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on June 25. One of the TLX sedans will be a 500-horsepower 2018 TLX A-Spec, while the TLX GT race car makes a return.
The Pikes Peak Acura TLX A-Spec is powered by a modified 3.5L V6 that generates 500 horsepower. The unique TLX A-Spec also gets a modified suspension and a limited-slip differential to better transfer all that power to the front wheels. Most of the upgraded engine parts were pulled from the TLX GT program, including rods, pistons, camshafts and valvetrain.
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The TLX A-Spec’s exterior features a hand-crafted carbon-fiber splitter and standoff rear wing while the interior has been entirely stripped to reduce weight. The TLX A-Spec will be entered in the Exhibition class and will be driven by Nick Robinson who drove the 2017 NSX to victory in the Time Attack 2 Production class last year.
The TLX GT will be driven by Peter Cunningham of RealTime Racing who has been racing Acuras since 1992. The Pikes Peak “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 Pikes Peak. 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.”
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.
Source: Acura
