motor sports | Endurance | The Acura ARX-06 for the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans is unveiled
A few weeks after the shakedown of its LMDh prototype, at Le Castellet and then at Le Mans, Acura officially presented the ARX-06. The visuals have been communicated and suggest a body incorporating the philosophy of the ARX-05 on its front part.
The prototype will feature a 2.4-liter twin-turbo V6 designed by Honda Performance Development. The hybrid system will be the standard one for LMDh category prototypes, which will compete in IMSA and WEC.
Acura confirms that the ARX-06 will make its debut at the Rolex 24, the 2023 24 Hours of Daytona. After a full season in the American Endurance Championship, Acura will normally come to the WEC and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2024.
“If you are a performance brand, you have to race” said Jon Ikeda, vice president and chief brand officer. « It’s that simple. Both the existing ARX-05 prototype and our production NSX GT3 have proven to be race and championship winning designs at tracks across North America. »
« Now, with the introduction of the new electrified Acura ARX-06, we look forward to competing against other premium automotive brands around the world, and continuing our victories. »
The DNA of Acura and Honda competition programs
Acura and Honda Performance Development have worked together on this project, and explain that the technologies come from F1, IndyCar and endurance racing, where the two brands have enjoyed success in recent years.
« HPD has a 30-year history of racing victories and championships » said David Salters, president and chief technical officer of HPD. « Not only in endurance sports car racing, but also with championship-winning Honda Civic-based cars, with the Baja Ridgeline truck engine, with Formula Regional Americas and Formula 4 with the Type R engine, and of course with the Indy 500 and the IndyCar Series. »
“We are HPD, we race, we develop our engineers and our technology through racing. We have an incredible and unique racing heritage, both past and present. North American racing organization of Acura, and Honda. »
« We are looking forward to the challenge of competing with Porsche, BMW and General Motors in the IMSA GTP Championship. We are aware that this is an important step for us. We have a lot to learn, but that’s what we’re running for. »
“The new Acura ARX-06 incorporates elements of our Indy winning technology, Honda Formula 1 technology and Rolex 24 winning technology. This has been achieved using simulation, design, development and of HPD’s world-class manufacturing. »
“These were developed, tested and validated by our own engineers. We are very proud of that. Now the challenge and hard work really begins, including the grueling 24-hour simulations, and learning how to maximize all aspects of performance. »
