On June 25, dozens upon dozens of gigantic wings with engines attached to them will set off to conquer one of the country’s most famous mountains at the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Following last year’s impressive trio of NSX hill-climb entrants (one of which was a modified four-motor EV), Acura will play a large role in the event for the sixth straight year. Acura will have two modified 2018 TLXs, including a turbocharged 500-hp A-Spec, as well as a tuned NSX.
Making its racing debut in the Exhibition class and sporting bright blue wheels is a modified version of the recently launched 2018 TLX A-Spec. Taking lessons learned from the TLX GT racing program, the kitted-out TLX uses revised rods, pistons, camshafts, and an altered valvetrain. The new parts, as well as special engine software and in-house tuning, draw a claimed 500 horsepower from the turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6. The car also was stripped of any luxury accoutrements, given a carbon-fiber splitter and large rear wing, and fitted with a limited-slip differential. Nick Robinson, who drove the NSX in the Time Attack 2 Production class last year, will be behind the wheel of this beast.
Last year, the NSX was modified to show off the capability of an all-electric racer. This year’s entrant is inspired by the GT3 class, according to Acura. Competing in Time Attack 1 and piloted by James Robinson, Nick’s brother, the NSX drops weight for the race and adds aerodynamic bits ...