A number of carmakers, including Acura, are already developing their own Le Mans Daytona hybrid prototypes like Porsche, to allow them to compete not just in FIA World Endurance Championship races but also in the IMSA SportsCar Championship.
It seems Acura is almost finished developing the latest vehicle, as the carmaker recently released the first images of its new, electrified Acura ARX-06 LMDh prototype.
Acura Racing Car Is Heavily Camouflaged: ARX-06 Images Released
Acura so far released only two images of the ARX-06 (Acura Racing eXperimental Generation 06) LMDh prototype.
Nonetheless, the images confirm Acura’s seriousness in competing in this motorsports category.
The LMDh prototype is heavily camouflaged in both images, and the camo wrap bears the same pattern as the wall on the background.
This means Acura is still not ready to unveil the finer details of its new IMSA racer, although for those with keener eyes, the images already tell a story.
The LMDh journey of Acura started in January 2021, when it issued a statement confirming it would continue to compete in the top category of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2023.
Currently, the Daytona Prototype International (DPi) serves as the top category of the IMSA championship.
However, the new Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) will replace the DPi as the new top category starting 2023 season.
LMDh prototypes will race in the GTP category next season.
From ARX-05 To ARX-06 Racers: Acura Aims High
For the current season, Acura is campaigning in the DPi category with its ARX-05 prototype racer, but with the upcoming advent of the GTP in the 2023 season, Acura decided to continue its IMSA campaign by developing a new car that would abide by the new format.
In particular, the still being-developed-ARX-06 will compete in this new category.
The ARX-06 is the sixth-generation endurance prototype fielded from Acura since 1991.
It will sit on a chassis supplied by ORECA (Organisation Exploitation Compétition Automobiles), which also built the chassis underpinning the ARX-05.
The ARX-06 will feature Acura-specific bodywork, aerodynamics and internal combustion power unit; the Acura Design Studio in Los Angeles, Calif., penned the LMDh car’s exterior styling.
For Now Acura’s 2023 Campaign Is Limited To IMSA: Watch This Space
Since LMDh prototype cars overlap with the Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) of the WEC, Acura’s new ARX-06 is eligible in FIA competitions such 24 Hours of Le Mans - however, it seems Acura will only campaign in IMSA, for now.
Acura’s campaign in the IMSA has been a success, its wins include the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2021 and 2022.
Source: Acura