Acura to Compete in the American Le Mans Series

Sunday, April 16. 2006

At the New York Auto Show, Acura celebrated its 20th Anniversary with the announcement that for the first time in its history, they will enter an international racing series as a full factory racing program. With the Acura brand on the verge of a global launch, the new LMP2 car will debut in the 12 Hours of Sebring in March 2007.

The new engine will be designed by Honda Performance Development (HPD). HPD currently builds the engines for the Indy Racing League, and has powered the last two Indy 500 winners.

Acura will supply the engines for the LMP2 program, and as the program matures, there are plans for an Acura designed LMP1 chassis to earn an invitation to the historic 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race.
Endurance racing is a challenge that Honda and Acura should excel at. The keys to success are reliability, fuel economy, and out right speed. All of these are traditional Honda/Acura virtues.

The Acura division currently provides cars and support for the Speed World Challenge Touring Car class and Real Time Racing. Our Integra Type-Rs and more recently our Acura TSXs have won both drivers and manufacturers titles championships. Back in the 90's, Acura sponsored the Camel Lights car of Parker Johnstone in the old IMSA series (below). This car ran a modified NSX engine and racked up 22 race wins in 38 starts including three championships, and the 12 Hours of Sebring.


Production RDX photos and specs!

Much to my surprise, Acura has released the production version of the RDX at the New York Auto Show. I'm surprised because Acura is known for keeping future product a secret as long as they can. Pricing hasn't been announced yet, but the specifications are all confirmed now.

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The 2007 Acura MDX Concept set to debut at the New York Auto Show

On the eve of Acura's 20th birthday, it was announced that the Concept for the All-New 2007 MDX will debut at the New York Auto Show on April 12th 2006.

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About Turbocharging

When you want to make more power with a motor engine, you need increase the amount of air and fuel it can ingest. One way to do this is to add cylinders (big displacement, think Viper). One way is to increase the number of revolutions the motor completes per minute (high revs, think S2000). One way is to put more air in the cylinder than there is cylinder volume. Turbochargers work on this principal.

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TSX Introduction Video

Acura TSX - This was the second video to finish up, and unlike the RL video to follow, principal production was done in a quick 2 days of shooting. I used a second TSX to wrap up a few close up shots, but otherwise, this one went by pretty quickly. I'll be re-shooting this video shortly so I can reflect the changes to the TSX for 2006. Things like the additional horsepower (up to 205), and the addition of the Bluetooth Handsfree Link and drivers seat position Memory Settings.

RSX Introduction Video

Acura RSX - This video was so different from the RL video before it. There is less technology in the RSX, making it simpler to present. I was dertemined not to have another RL video (in length and complexity) and so in the planning stages, I laid out a video that had a lot of voice over work vs. on camera content. Personally, I know there is a lot of room for improvement, but I am encouraged by the way this video flows, and we did have fun making it.

The 2006 Acura TSX

The TSX has been a standout for Acura since it’s early 2003 introduction. It has consistently outsold Acura’s sales projections. For 2006 the three time Car & Driver “10 Best” award winner, receives a host of styling and performance upgrades. Revisions to the intake and exhaust systems boost horsepower to 205 with the new rating system (it probably would have been 215 on the old system!).

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The 2006 Acura RSX

Friday, October 28. 2005
The 2006 Acura RSX
The RSX continues unchanged after the mild refreshening it received for 2005. Type-S models continue with the larger 17” wheels that greatly improve handling. There is also a unique (and standard) decklid spoiler. Standard RSXs now have a distinct 16” alloy wheel design to set them apart from previous models. 2006’s are available now.


Honda Jet!

Friday, October 28. 2005
Honda Jet!
Honda Motor company has grown from a small company making ball bearings, to a global company selling and building products worldwide Honda Motor Company now produces: Power Equipment, Personal Watercraft, Outboard Motors, ATVs, Motorcycles, Human Robotics, and of course Honda and Acura cars. What many don’t know is that we just introduced our first corporate jet airplane: HondaJet!

As you would expect from Honda, its full of innovations like the patented engine nacelles. By placing the engines on pylons above the wing, and not attached to the fuselage (like a LearJet), Honda engineers have allowed for huge improvements in interior space and noise reduction. The all composite fuselage and Natural Laminar Flow wing design are also "typical Honda" in their design and execution. It is expected to have a higher top speed, lower emissions and much better fuel economy that other business jets in its class. Amazing!

The 2007 RD-X Concept Debuts in Detroit

Next summer, Acura will introduce an all new Compact Sport Utility called the 2007 RDX. The concept shown here will give you a good idea what the finished product will look like. I’d estimate this prototype is 90% accurate.

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