Acura has unveiled the ARX-06, the LMDh with which it will take part in the new GTP class of the US IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Racing championship starting next season.
A few weeks ago the manufacturer had released the first official images of the car, with this car engaged in the first tests but covered with a camouflage livery so as not to overly reveal the shapes of the new prototype.
Today, however, the ARX-06 has been unveiled in what should be the new official color, a predominantly white livera. The public unveiling of the car will take place on Friday at Monterey Car Week in California.
Acura also revealed that it built a bespoke 2.4-liter twin-turbo V6 engine for the ARX-06. This was designed entirely by the Honda Performance department and will take the place of the 3.5-liter V6 engine that powers the current title-winning ARX-05 DPL.
The new powertrain has chosen a 90 ° V angle to lower the center of gravity and improve vehicle dynamics. The powertrain will be mated to a hybrid system built by Xtrac, Bosch and Williams Advanced Engineering.
Acura ARX-06
Photo by: Acura
The exterior of the car was taken care of by its own Design Studios based in Los Angeles, together with a team of HPD and Oreca aerodynamic engineers.
“We have taken up the challenge posed by this new set of rules from IMSA and ACO and have developed a solution that we believe to be very competitive,” said Pierre Descamps, who led the HPD powertrain design team for the ARX-06.
“We have taken a new direction for HPD in engine design. It is still a V6, which of course Honda is well known for, but we have incorporated several new elements that we believe will make the most of the electric MGU and battery pack.”
“Our new engine hits its regulatory maximum of 10,000 rpm, so it produces a wonderful sound too!”
The new ARX-06 will be raced by the Meyer Shank Racing and Wayne Taylor Racing teams in the IMSA GTP class starting next season. These are the only teams vying for the 2022 drivers title, thus guaranteeing Acura championship honors in the final season of the DPi rules.
The debut of the car will take place at the Rolex 24 next year, it is no coincidence that the team has announced that they have several 24-hour simulations planned to get ready for next season.
Acura ARX-06
Photo by: Acura
“We are HPD – we race, we develop our engineers and our technology through racing,” said David Salters, president and technical director of HPD.
“We have an extraordinary and unique legacy in the field of racing, both in the past and in the present. That’s what we do as a North American race organization of Acura and Honda.”
“We are looking forward to the challenge of competing with Porsche, BMW and GM in the IMSA GTP top championship. We are aware that this is a big step for us. We have a lot to learn, but this is why we are runs “.
“The new Acura ARX-06 contains elements of our Indy-winning technology, Honda Formula One technology and Rolex 24-winning technology.”
“All of this has been achieved using HPD’s world-class simulation, design, development and manufacturing technologies, which our own engineers have developed, tested and validated. We are very proud of it. Now begins the challenge and hard work, which includes grueling 24-hour simulations and learning how to maximize all aspects of performance. “
Acura ARX-06
Photo by: Acura
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