Acura is no stranger to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, as the automaker has been participating in the annual event for the past 12 years. This year marks its 13th consecutive entry, and the new high-performance 2024 Acura Integra Type S will get the chance to race to the clouds along with three other models from the brand’s portfolio.
Integra Type S Racer
A race-prepped version of the Integra Type S will compete in the Exhibition division. The hot hatch is equipped with a unique hood, front splitter, and swan-neck rear wing. A Borla exhaust and 19-inch Titan wheels wrapped with Yokohama Advan A005 tires are among the other upgrades. The Honda Performance Development (HPD) Integra Type S will be driven by Loni Unser and features a livery inspired by the anime racing show Chiaki’s Journey.
Integra Racer
The regular Acura Integra hatchback will also compete. The Pikes Peak entry was built by Honda of America Racing Team (HART) and will be driven by Acura engineer Paul Hubers. The car’s suspension is enhanced with a kit from HPD as well as Bilstein dampers and Eibach springs. A Borla exhaust, Cusco Racing limited-slip differential, and HPD billet engine mounts are also part of the upgrades, as are forged 18-inch HRE wheels with Yokohama Advan A005 rubber.
TLX Type S Racer
Pikes Peak will see another HART-built Acura in the form of a TLX Type S driven by Jordan Guitar, another one of the automaker’s engineers. Along with myriad aero bits, the hi-po sedan’s turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 is upgraded with a larger turbo and improved cooling. It also pairs with retuned versions of the 10-speed automatic transmission and super-handling all-wheel-drive system (SH-AWD). The suspension has been lowered 1 inch, race-compound brake pads have been added, and Acura says 600 pounds have also been shaved off the car’s curb weight. A set of forged 19-inch HRE wheels and Yokohama Advan A005 tires are also part of the setup.
An NSX Named “Yamabiko”
While Acura no longer builds the NSX supercar, a skunkworks division of HART called Crazy New is using a 2022 NSX Type S as a canvas for a special project. It revolves around max aerodynamic performance, with the supercar donning custom carbon-fiber bodywork that’s designed to maintain downforce and reduce drag. It’s also fitted with a special rear wing that actively adjusts itself for reduced drag at higher speeds or to create an air brake to help slow the car down. This modified NSX is nicknamed “Yamabiko,” which is said to be a mythical mountain god in Japanese folklore. Driven by Honda engineer James Robinson, Yamabiko will compete in the Time Attack 1 division.
The 101st running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb will take place on June 25, 2023. An Acura TLX Type S PMC Edition will serve as the pace car for this year’s event, and it’ll be driven by IndyCar driver David Malukas.
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Senior Editor
Eric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si.
Source: Motor - aranddriver.com
