Acura ARX-06 LMDh Prototype in detail

The ARX-06 nomenclature derives from Acura Racing eXperimental, generation 6. Acura Motorsports programs have been integral to the Acura brand since its launch in 1986. It previously campaigned the ARX-05 DPi in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and won the team, manufacturer, and driver championships in 2019 and 2020. It also won the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2021 and ’22, including a 1-2 finish at the 2022 twice-around-the-clock endurance classic.

The exterior styling of the ARX-06 prototype race car was led by the Acura Design Studio in Los Angeles, Calif., in conjunction with Honda Performance Development and ORECA [ORganisation Exploitation Compétition Automobiles].

‘The process we used in creating the exterior design for the Acura ARX-06 is the same as how we create a new Acura passenger vehicle,’ said Dave Marek, Acura’s Executive Creative Director. ‘The same world-class stylists that lead Acura production car design created initial sketches, then pared those down to several potential designs. Next, we created a scale model, did aero and wind tunnel model testing, and brought Honda Performance Development, Inc., and our partner teams in for their feedback. The design continued to be refined throughout the testing and evaluation process until we came up with a final treatment that met our performance goals while maintaining all-important Acura styling cues. It’s been an exciting process.’

Engine supplier for ARX-06, HPD, has a rich heritage of creating, manufacturing, and supporting Honda Racing and Acura Motorsports customers since 1993. It leads all of Honda and Acura’s high-performance racing programs in North America and specialises in the design and development of powertrain, chassis, electronics and technical and race support. HPD delivers parts and race support to Honda and Acura amateur and professional motorsports racers and is expanding its palette of racing programs to make Honda racing products available to all racing disciplines, from karting and Quarter Midgets to the highest levels of professional racing.

Acura will continue its partnerships with the proven, race- and championship-winning Wayne Taylor Racing and Meyer Shank Racing organizations to campaign the hybrid-powered Acura entries in 2023.