Engineering:Acura ARX-06

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Short description: Sports prototype racing car built by Acura

Acura ARX-06
File:300px
The No. 93 ARX-06 at the 2025 Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen
CategoryLe Mans Daytona h
ConstructorHRC US (Oreca)
Designer(s)David Salters (Technical Director, HRC US)[1]
Mark Crawford (Large Project Leader)[2]
Guy Melville-Brown (Exterior Project Lead)[3]
Bill Yex (Special Projects Lead)[3]
Jonathan Seaman (Lead Aerodynamicist)[3]
PredecessorAcura ARX-05
Technical specifications
ChassisLMP2-based carbon fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)Double wishbones, pushrods with power steering
Suspension (rear)Double wishbones, pushrods
Length5,100 mm (200.8 in)
Width2,000 mm (78.7 in)
Height1,060 mm (41.7 in)
Wheelbase3,148 mm (123.9 in)
EngineAcura AR24e 2.4 L (146.5 cu in) 90° V6 twin-turbocharged, 24valve, DOHC mid-engine, longitudinally-mounted
Electric motorRear-mounted 50 kW (68 PS; 67 hp) spec MGU supplied by Bosch
TransmissionXtrac P1359 7-speed sequential manual[4]
Power500 kW (680 PS; 671 hp)
Weight1,030 kg
FuelVP Racing Fuels
LubricantsPhillips 66
BrakesAP Racing carbon with AP Racing Monobloc 6-piston calipers[4]
TyresMichelin slicks with Rotiform one-piece forged alloys[4]
Competition history
CompetitionIMSA SportsCar Championship
Notable entrants
  • United States Meyer Shank Racing
  • United States Wayne Taylor Racing
Notable drivers
  • Portugal Filipe Albuquerque
  • United States Ricky Taylor
  • Switzerland Louis Delétraz
  • New Zealand Brendon Hartley
  • United Kingdom Tom Blomqvist
  • United States Colin Braun
  • Brazil Hélio Castroneves
  • France Simon Pagenaud
Debut2023 24 Hours of Daytona
First win2023 24 Hours of Daytona
Last win2025 Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen
Last event2025 Petit Le Mans
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF.Laps
2371152
Teams' Championships0
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The Acura ARX-06 is a sports prototype racing car designed by Honda Racing Corporation USA, formerly known as Honda Performance Development (HPD), and built by Oreca. It is designed to the Le Mans Daytona h regulations, and competes in the GTP class in the IMSA SportsCar Championship since 2023.[5] The car has a bespoke 2.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine designated as the AR24e.[6][7] The ARX-06 debuted alongside the BMW M Hybrid V8, Cadillac V-LMDh and Porsche 963 at the 2023 season opener of the IMSA SportsCar Championship at the Daytona International Speedway.[8][9]

The ARX-06 won the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2023, the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2024 and Petit Le Mans in 2023, becoming the first car to win all three major IMSA endurance races during the GTP era.[10]

Background

In January 2021, Acura formally announced they would participate in IMSA's new GTP class in 2023 using an LMDh-compliant racing design.[11] On December 6, 2021, Acura announced it would work with Oreca as their chassis supplier, making Acura the first manufacturer in the LMDh ruleset to select Oreca as their partner.[12] It was also confirmed on the same day that Meyer Shank Racing and Wayne Taylor Racing would campaign the ARX-06 in the 2023 IMSA SportsCar Championship season.[13]

The ARX-06 completed its first shakedown at Circuit Paul Ricard in July 2022.[14] It was followed by the car's first full test at Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours on 16 & 17 July 2022.[15] The car was revealed on August 17, 2022. It was also announced that the car would use a hybrid powertrain, consisting of a 90° twin-turbocharged V6 internal combustion engine and standardized hybrid drivetrain components provided by Williams Advanced Engineering, Bosch and Xtrac, for maximum possible combined output of 671 hp (500 KW).[16] No 24 hour tests were conducted due to supply-chain issues.[17]

Competition history

2023

Meyer Shank Racing's No. 60 ARX-06 at the 2023 12 Hours of Sebring.

Two ARX-06s would campaign the 2023 IMSA SportsCar Championship. Wayne Taylor Racing and Meyer Shank Racing returned to compete with Acura after both teams had been competing in the series with Acura's ARX-05 since 2021.[13] Wayne Taylor Racing, entering a partnership with Andretti Global for 2023, continued to race as #10, retaining Filipe Albuquerque and Ricky Taylor for the full season, and Meyer Shank Racing carried over #60, with longtime IMSA driver Colin Braun joining a returning Tom Blomqvist.[13]

The ARX-06 proved to be the fastest car on debut against its fellow GTP class debutants, as both cars would qualify in the top 3, and later take home 1st and 2nd and the fastest lap at the 2023 24 Hours of Daytona, with Meyer Shank Racing's Braun and Blomqvist, joined by Hélio Castroneves and Simon Pagenaud, scoring the victory.[18] After the race, Meyer Shank Racing were awarded a 200-point penalty following a post-race investigation by IMSA that revealed the team had manipulated tire pressure data in order to gain an advantage.[19] They were, however, allowed to keep their race victory, which created controversy amongst drivers and spectators.[20]

Both teams would score a collective total of six podiums throughout the season, including two more wins and a pole position at the 2023 Chevrolet Grand Prix and the 2023 Petit Le Mans, however, they would ultimately lose out in the Drivers' and Teams' Championships to Action Express Racing and Cadillac, who had each secured the titles at the finale in Road Atlanta amidst another controversial finish, as Albuquerque and Pipo Derani collided in Turn 1 in the final hour, forcing Albuquerque and Wayne Taylor Racing to retire.[21] Acura would finish 3rd in the Manufacturers' Standings. At the end of the season, Meyer Shank Racing left the series to focus on an expanded effort in the 2024 IndyCar Series.[22]

2024

WTR/Andretti's No. 40 ARX-06 at the 2024 12 Hours of Sebring.

With Meyer Shank Racing's exit, Wayne Taylor Racing took over management of both cars, retaining Filipe Albuquerque and Ricky Taylor to drive the #10 car, and taking on Jordan Taylor and Louis Delétraz to race in the new #40 car.[23]

Acura would fall behind on pace from the front as Porsche and Cadillac regularly fought in the top 5 and BMW would be in the mix. Wayne Taylor Racing would earn their first victory with the ARX-06 in the 2024 12 Hours of Sebring, as Delétraz completed a late-race pass for the lead on Porsche's Felipe Nasr and holding off Cadillac's Sébastien Bourdais to take home the win and the fastest lap alongside Jordan Taylor and Colton Herta, the latter joining the team for Sebring.[24] The #10 crew would earn the team's second victory at the 2024 Chevrolet Detroit Sports Car Classic, with Albuquerque taking advantage of a late drive-through penalty from Porsche's Nick Tandy.[25] Wayne Taylor Racing would score a total of four podiums and two race wins with the ARX-06, and would finish 5th and 6th in the Drivers' Standings. Acura would once again finish 3rd in the Manufacturers' Standings.

2025

For 2025, Wayne Taylor Racing would confirm a move to Cadillac, replacing Chip Ganassi Racing, and Meyer Shank Racing would return to the programme, confirming to a two-car lineup for the season, with one of the entries managed by Honda Racing Corporation USA.[26][27] Blomqvist and Braun were retained for the full season to drive the returning #60 car, and Nick Yelloly and Renger van der Zande would join from BMW and Cadillac respectively to form the full season lineup for the new #93 car. IndyCar champions Álex Palou and Scott Dixon would join the team for the Michelin Endurance Cup rounds.[28]

Racing results

Complete IMSA SportsCar Championship results

(key) Races in bold indicates pole position. Races in italics indicates fastest lap. Year with * indicates in progress.

Year Entrants Class Drivers No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Pts. Pos.
2023 Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian GTP DAY SEB LBH MON WGL MOS ELK IMS PET 2711 3rd
United Kingdom Tom Blomqvist 60 1 6 6 6 3 1 2 5 1
United States Colin Braun 1 6 6 6 3 1 2 5 1
Brazil Hélio Castroneves 1 6 1
France Simon Pagenaud 1
Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport United States Ricky Taylor 10 2 Ret Ret 4 Ret 2 3 6 Ret 2712 2nd
Portugal Filipe Albuquerque 2 Ret Ret 4 Ret 2 3 6 Ret
Switzerland Louis Delétraz 2 Ret Ret Ret
New Zealand Brendon Hartley 2
2024 Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti GTP DAY SEB LBH LGA DET WGL ELK IMS ATL 2550 6th
Portugal Filipe Albuquerque 10 Ret 5 8 6 1 Ret 3 4 Ret
United States Ricky Taylor Ret 5 8 6 1 Ret 3 4 Ret
New Zealand Brendon Hartley Ret 5 Ret
Sweden Marcus Ericsson Ret
United States Jordan Taylor 40 3 1 Ret 4 5 4 8 11 7 2603 5th
Switzerland Louis Delétraz 3 1 Ret 4 5 4 8 11 7
United States Colton Herta 3 1 7
United Kingdom Jenson Button 3
2025 Acura Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian GTP DAY SEB LBH LGA DET WGL ELK IMS ATL 2602 7th
United Kingdom Tom Blomqvist 60 2 10 9 11 6 1 7 3 5
United States Colin Braun 2 10 9 11 6 1 7 3 5
New Zealand Scott Dixon 2 10 5
Sweden Felix Rosenqvist 2
Japan Kakunoshin Ohta 93 14 6 5 2657 5th
Spain Álex Palou 14 3
Netherlands Renger van der Zande 14 3 11 5 1 6 3 5 7
United Kingdom Nick Yelloly 14 3 11 5 1 6 3 5 7
France Tristan Vautier 7
2026* Acura Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian GTP DAY SEB LBH LGA DET WGL ELK IMS ATL
United Kingdom Tom Blomqvist 60
United States Colin Braun
New Zealand Scott Dixon
United States AJ Allmendinger
Japan Kakunoshin Ohta 93
Spain Álex Palou
Netherlands Renger van der Zande
United Kingdom Nick Yelloly

Complete IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup results

(key) Races in bold indicates pole position. Races in italics indicates fastest lap. Year with * indicates in progress.

Year Entrants Class Drivers No. 1 2 3 4 5 Pts. Pos.
2023 Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport GTP DAY SEB WGL PET 34 3rd
United States Ricky Taylor 10 2 Ret Ret Ret
Portugal Filipe Albuquerque 2 Ret Ret Ret
Switzerland Louis Delétraz 2 Ret Ret Ret
New Zealand Brendon Hartley 2
Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian United Kingdom Tom Blomqvist 60 1 6 3 1 21 8th
United States Colin Braun 1 6 3 1
Brazil Hélio Castroneves 1 6 1
France Simon Pagenaud 1
2024 Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti GTP DAY SEB WGL IMS ATL 32 7th
Portugal Filipe Albuquerque 10 Ret 5 Ret 4 9
United States Ricky Taylor Ret 5 Ret 4 9
New Zealand Brendon Hartley Ret 5 9
Sweden Marcus Ericsson Ret
United States Jordan Taylor 40 3 1 4 11 7 34 6th
Switzerland Louis Delétraz 3 1 4 11 7
United States Colton Herta 3 1 7
United Kingdom Jenson Button 3
2025 Acura Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian GTP DAY SEB WGL IMS ATL 4th 44
United Kingdom Tom Blomqvist 60 2 10 1 3 5
United States Colin Braun 2 10 1 3 5
New Zealand Scott Dixon 2 10 5
Sweden Felix Rosenqvist 2
Japan Kakunoshin Ohta 93 14 6 5 5th 33
Spain Álex Palou 14 3
Netherlands Renger van der Zande 14 3 6 5 7
United Kingdom Nick Yelloly 14 3 6 5 7
France Tristan Vautier 7
2026* Acura Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian GTP DAY SEB WGL ELK ATL
United Kingdom Tom Blomqvist 60
United States Colin Braun
New Zealand Scott Dixon
United States AJ Allmendinger
Japan Kakunoshin Ohta 93
Spain Álex Palou
Netherlands Renger van der Zande
United Kingdom Nick Yelloly

References

  1. Acura (17 August 2022). "Acura Unveils All-New Electrified ARX-06 Race Car". https://acuranews.com/en-US/releases/acura-unveils-all-new-electrified-arx-06-race-car. 
  2. "Acura Unveils All-New Electrified ARX-06 Race Car". PR Newswire. 17 August 2022. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/acura-unveils-all-new-electrified-arx-06-race-car-301606871.html. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Honda Racing/HPD (25 January 2023). "ARX-06 The Origin Story". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCcb7is2CJI. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 "NO. 10 KONICA MINOLTA ACURA ARX-06 CAR SPECS". Wayne Taylor Racing. https://waynetaylorracing.com/carspecs/. 
  5. Perkins, Chris (July 19, 2022). "Here's Our Best Look Yet at the Acura ARX-06 LMDh Car". Road & Track (Online). https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a40652775/acura-arx-06-lmdh-first-look/. Retrieved July 20, 2022. 
  6. "Inside the Rise of Acura's Radical ARX-06" (in en-US). 2023-03-17. https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a43295379/acura-arx-06-embedded/. 
  7. "Honda's new IMSA powerplant has IndyCar roots" (in en-US). 2022-08-29. https://racer.com/2022/08/29/hondas-new-imsa-powerplant-has-indycar-roots/. 
  8. Thurkal, Rachit (July 20, 2022). "Acura completes first full test with 2023 ARX-06 LMDh car". motorsport.com. https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/acura-cadillac-first-lmdh-tests/10340301/. 
  9. Vijayenthiran, Viknesh (July 21, 2022). "2023 Acura ARX-06 LMDh race car completes first test". MotorAuthority. https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1136069_2023-acura-arx-06-lmdh-race-car-completes-first-test. 
  10. "Why doesn't Honda race its IMSA winner at Le Mans?" (in en). 2025-06-10. https://www.the-race.com/endurance/why-doesnt-honda-race-at-le-mans/. 
  11. Pryson, Mike (January 26, 2021). "Acura Added To LMDh Class List For 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship". https://www.autoweek.com/racing/more-racing/a35324458/acura-added-to-lmdh-class-list-for-2023-imsa-weathertech-sportscar-championship/. 
  12. "Acura Confirm ORECA To Develop & Build LMDh-spec ARX 06". December 6, 2021. https://www.dailysportscar.com/2021/12/06/acura-conform-oreca-to-develop-and-build-lmdh-spec-arx-06.html. 
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 "Acura Confirms 2023 LMDh Plans & Partners". December 6, 2021. https://www.speedsport.com/sports-cars/imsa/acura-confirms-2023-lmdh-plans-partners/. 
  14. Dagys, John (July 15, 2022). "Acura ARX-06 Completes Rollout in Paul Ricard". https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/acura-arx-06-completes-rollout/. 
  15. Lloyd, Daniel (July 19, 2022). "Acura Completes Two-Day LMDh Test at Magny-Cours". https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/acura-completes-two-day-lmdh-test-at-magny-cours/. 
  16. S. James, Richard (August 17, 2022). "Acura fully reveals ARX-06 LMDh IMSA GTP car". https://racer.com/2022/08/17/acura-fully-reveals-arx-06-lmdh-imsa-gtp-car/. 
  17. Dagys, John (January 16, 2023). "Acura: Strength of Teams 'Helps A Lot' Ahead of GTP Debut". https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/acura-strength-of-teams-helps-a-lot-ahead-of-gtp-debut/. 
  18. "Acura kicks off new GTP era with 2023 Daytona 24 Hours win" (in en). 2023-01-30. https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1138599_2023-24-hours-of-daytona-results. 
  19. Dagys, John (2023-03-08). "MSR Penalized for Manipulating Tire Pressure Data at Rolex 24 – Sportscar365" (in en-US). https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/msr-penalized-for-manipulating-tire-pressure-data-at-rolex-24/. 
  20. Klein, Jamie (2024-01-27). "Blomqvist Reflects on Controversial 2023 Rolex 24 Win – Sportscar365" (in en-US). https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/blomqvist-shares-reflections-of-tainted-2023-rolex-24-win/. 
  21. "IMSA Petit Le Mans: MSR wins, Cadillac scoops title after Acura clash" (in en). https://www.autosport.com/imsa/news/imsa-petit-le-mans-msr-wins-cadillac-scoops-title-after-acura-clash/10532943/. 
  22. Dagys, John (2023-10-03). "MSR Confirms Exit from IMSA at End of Season – Sportscar365" (in en-US). https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/msr-confirms-exit-from-imsa-at-end-of-season/. 
  23. Lloyd, Daniel (2023-05-16). "WTR Andretti Confirms Second Acura GTP Entry for 2024 – Sportscar365" (in en-US). https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/wtr-andretti-confirms-second-acura-gtp-entry-for-2024/. 
  24. "Deletraz, J. Taylor, Herta claim Sebring 12 Hour victory for WTR" (in en-US). 2024-03-17. https://racer.com/2024/03/16/deletraz-j-taylor-herta-claim-sebring-12-hour-victory-for-wtr/. 
  25. "IMSA Detroit: WTR-Andretti Acura ambushes Porsche to win chaotic race" (in en). https://www.autosport.com/imsa/news/imsa-detroit-wtr-andretti-acura-ambushes-porsche-to-win-chaotic-race/10618590/. 
  26. Kilbey, Stephen (2024-06-27). "Meyer Shank To Return To IMSA GTP With Acura In ’25" (in en-GB). https://www.dailysportscar.com/2024/06/27/meyer-shank-to-return-to-imsa-gtp-with-acura-in-25.html. 
  27. Dagys, John (2024-06-27). "HRC US Confirms Two-Car MSR Acura GTP Effort for 2025 – Sportscar365" (in en-US). https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/hrc-us-confirms-two-car-msr-acura-gtp-effort-for-2025/. 
  28. Newbold, James (2024-11-14). "Palou, Dixon join MSR Acura for IMSA endurance races in 2025". Autosport. https://www.autosport.com/imsa/news/palou-dixon-join-msr-acura-for-imsa-endurance-races-in-2025/10672934/. 

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