Acura NSX-Inspired EV Concept to Race at Upcoming Pikes Peak Event

On June 26^th, the 2017 Acura NSX supercar will make its North American racing debut at the 100^th anniversary of the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

In total, two Acura NSX hybrids will be competing in the event’s Time Attack 1 and 2 classes. Also, Acura will be running a new NSX-inspired prototype in the Electric Modified Class. The new prototype will be powered by an enhanced version of the Electric SH-AWD powertrain that was used in the CR-Z prototype, which won the Pikes Peak Challenge Exhibition class in 2015.

Brothers James and Nick Robinson will be driving the NSX hybrids in the Time Attack 1 and 2 classes. The NSX competing in Time Attack 1 will feature the same powertrain as the production NSX model, but will also make use of a lighter chassis, as well as a custom high-flow racing exhaust. In contrast, the NSX supercar competing in Time Attack 2 will come equipped with extra safety features, but will otherwise compete with factory equipment.

The upcoming Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is a demanding race to the summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado. Drivers will be challenged by more than 150 turns over the race’s 12.42 miles. Furthermore, competitors will have to deal with a 4,720 foot-elevation change from the beginning of the race to its conclusion.

Acura has yet to release details regarding the NSX-inspired prototype’s performance abilities, but the Japanese automaker did announce that Tetsuya Yamano will be piloting the EV at Pikes Peak.

“Pikes Peak is like no other race in the world and offers a unique opportunity to showcase the power and performance of our products,” said Jon Ikeda, vice president and general manager of the Acura Division. “We are excited for this year’s ‘Race to the Clouds’ to test the endurance and engineering of the Acura NSX and our advanced powertrain technologies – as well as an expression of our racing spirit.”

Gallery: The 2017 Acura NSX Supercar