Official release from Acura Media Newsroom:

Acura Speeding Toward the Big Apple with NSX Supercar and ILX Endurance Racer

Mar 30, 2015 – NEW YORK

Fresh from its first victory with the Acura TLX GT in the 2015 Pirelli World Challenge racing series, Acura will showcase an audacious new ILX endurance race car alongside the new Acura NSX supercar in a display of Acura ultra performance on April 1-12 at the 2015 New York International Auto Show.

Developed to compete head-to-head with other high-performance cars in round-the-clock endurance road racing, the ILX endurance racer features a specially modified engine, chassis, suspension and interior, all wrapped in near stock-appearing bodywork.

“Road racing is an excellent proving ground for our performance cars and the size, weight, performance and durability of the Acura ILX make a great basis for a racer with high ambitions,” said Mike Accavitti, Acura Division senior vice president and general manager. “It also demonstrates the maximum-performance mindset inherent to the Acura brand.”

Making its first appearance in New York, the production version of the new NSX twin-turbo hybrid supercar will grace center stage in Acura’s booth, flanked by the recently-revealed 2016 RDX SUV and the reimagined 2016 ILX sport sedan along with the freshened 2016 MDX SUV and updated 2016 RLX luxury sedan. The 2015 TLX, Acura’s hot-selling luxury sport sedan introduced just last summer and already making major inroads in the smoldering mid-luxury segment, rounds out one of the strongest lineups in Acura history. In fact, every one of these quick, luxurious, precision-crafted performance vehicles is either all new or has been notably refreshed within the last eight months.

The ILX endurance racer was developed in-house with the primary goal of outright victory in the 25 Hours of Thunder Hill race. This is no small task, as the ILX team will face the likes of Porsche, BMW, and other strong competitors. Key features of the ILX racer include:

Racing Series	NASA Endurance Series
Class	ES
Major powertrain modifications	HPD engine mounts HPD lightened flywheel and racing clutch Forged pistons and connecting rods Racing cams Low restriction intake & exhaust systems Blueprinted fuel injectors
Major chassis modifications	HPD camber plates and rear anti-roll bar Racing suspension kit Racing tires and wheels
Exterior modifications	Custom front splitter and rear spoiler Supplemental LED lighting system Low-profile door mirrors
Interior modifications	Custom safety cage Racing seats and harnesses Racing steering wheel with quick disconnect Racing gauge package Lightweight battery Fuel cell Air jacks

In another motorsports development, the new NSX has been tapped to be the official pace car for the 2015 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Fans of the long-running “race to the clouds” will be among the first to see the next-generation NSX on the road as it streaks up the storied hill to check the course during the June 28 event in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

Acura NSX Supercar

Riding a wave of approval and anticipation from its North American International Auto Show debut in January, the production version of the next-generation Acura NSX mid-engine supercar will anchor Acura’s New York Auto Show presence. Sporting a bespoke dry-sump, twin-turbocharged V6 engine with a 9-speed dual-clutch transmission, plus a three-motor Sport Hybrid Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (Sport Hybrid SH-AWD) system, the NSX delivers a scintillating “New Sports Experience,” with output exceeding 550 horsepower, coupled with the instant torque of three-motor electric drive delivering zero-delay acceleration and intuitive SH-AWD driving dynamics.

2016 ILX Sport Sedan

Fresh from its official launch in February, the redesigned 2016 ILX sport sedan also joins this performance-focused pair. It brings the super-responsive direct-injected 2.4-liter i-VTEC engine and 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (8DCT) with torque converter from the TLX to the party, along with chassis, safety, refinement and design improvements to sharpen its mission. New available features, including the AcuraWatch™ suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies, further enhance the ILX for 2016.

2016 RDX SUV

Introduced at the Chicago Auto Show in February, the Acura RDX SUV has also received numerous improvements for 2016. The new RDX delivers forceful new front and rear body styling and several interior design updates, plus a new V6 engine with enhanced mid-range torque and body/suspension upgrades to improve ride, handling and noise. Like the new ILX, RDX is available with important new AcuraWatch™ safety and driver-assistive technologies. With sales of the 2015 model already outpacing European rivals, the more responsive and luxurious 2016 RDX is slated to go on sale this spring.

2016 MDX 7-Passenger SUV

America’s best-selling 3-row luxury SUV, the Acura MDX has also received a shot of adrenaline for 2016, gaining a sophisticated 9-speed automatic transmission with push-button electronic shift and an even more advanced Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system (SH-AWD). The 2016 MDX now offers available AcuraWatch™ features and receives several interior convenience additions designed to make the MDX driving and ownership experience better than ever.

2016 RLX Flagship Sedan

Finally, Acura’s RLX flagship luxury sedan benefits from several important suspension refinements to improve ride comfort, handling and noise, as well as a comprehensive suite of AcuraWatch™ technologies for 2016, including the first U.S. application of Acura’s new Surround View Camera system. Despite the upgrades and enhanced feature content, RLX prices remain unchanged from 2015.

All of the Acura products will be on display at the New York International Auto Show media days April 1-2 in the Jacob Javitz Center, as well as the public days through April 12. Additional information about Acura products plus high-resolution images can be found at www.acuranews.com.

[Source: Acura]