Acura Motorsport has released official images and technical details of its ARX-06 which will compete in IMSA for 2023 and possibly Le Mans the year after.
A public unveiling will take place in California on Friday with the LMDh car – known as GTP in the US – making its competition debut next January at the Daytona 24 Hours, with a car each run by Wayne Taylor Racing and Meyer Shank Racing.
With an ORECA-based chassis, Acura revealed the ARX-06 is powered by a hybrid, 2.4-litre twin-turbo V6 which has been designed in-house by Honda Performance Department.
A group of aero engineers for the Japanese brand also had an input in designing the exterior of the car alongside Acura’s design studio in Los Angeles, as well as ORECA.
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Acura
“We’ve taken the challenge presented by this new rule package from IMSA and the ACO, and developed what we believe is a very competitive solution,” said Pierre Descamps, who led HPD’s powertrain design team for the ARX-06.
“We’ve gone in a new direction for HPD in the design of the ICE. It is still a V6, which of course for Honda is well-known, but we have incorporated several new elements which we believe will make best use of the electric MGU and battery pack.
“Our new engine will rev to the maximum 10,000 rpm set by the rules, so it also makes a wonderful sound.”
ARX-06 is powered by a hybrid, 2.4-litre twin-turbo V6
Acura
Up to this point Acura had only released limited images and footage of the car in a camouflage livery from a Le Castellet test held in July.
The car will go up against new IMSA challengers BMW, Porsche and Cadillac in the American series.
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“If you’re a performance brand, you have to go racing,” said Jon Ikeda, vice president of Acura. “It’s that simple. Both the existing ARX-05 prototype and our production-based NSX GT3 have proven to be race-and-championship-winning designs on tracks all across North America.
“Now, with the introduction of the new, electrified Acrua ARX-06, we look forward to facing off against other premium automotive brands from around the world – and continuing our winning ways.”
Prior to Daytona, Acura’s testing programme is not yet known but the team said it is planning “24-hour simulations” to prepare for next season.
“We are very cognisant this is a big step for us,” said David Salters, HPD President and Technical Director. “We have a lot to learn, but that is why race.”
