The 500-hp 2018 TLX A-Spec will make its racing debut in Colorado
This year's Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is a good occasion for Acura to test its TLX-based race cars.
Honda's luxury arm will field a pair of Acura TLX sedans in "The Race to the Clouds:" a TLX GT that returns to the competition in the Open class, and a 2018 TLX A-Spec that will compete in the exhibition class. Besides the two TLXs, Acura will also enter a GT3-inspired NSX in the Time Attack 1 Class, building on last year's Time Attack 2 Production victory.
The TLX GT will be driven by Acura race car driver Peter Cunningham (it will be his first Pikes Peak), while R&D engineer Nick Robinson will drive the TLX A-Spec. Finally, the production-based NSX with GT3-inspired modification will be driven by Nick's brother, James Robinson.
While the all-wheel drive TLX GT race car has raced before at Pikes Peak, the 2018 TLX A-spec will debut this year with a modified suspension, a 500-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 turbo engine, and a limited-slip differential.
Optimized specifically for Pikes Peak's challenging course, the TLX A-spec features custom engine software and tuning and an aero package that includes a hand-crafted carbon-fiber splitter and standoff rear wing.
As for the NSX, it has been lightened compared to last year's car and has also received new aero elements including a bigger wing and front splitter. In addition, the software has been tuned to optimize engine and the Sport Hybrid system performance for the hill climb.