| It was only last year that Acura celebrated | | | | The facility is equipped with five dynos |
| its 20th birthday. It seems like only | | | | which include a transmission dyno that are |
| yesterday when Acura has brought the world | | | | utilized for the development of electronic |
| its sporty Integra two-and four-door compact | | | | systems such as traction control. Unlike any |
| coupe and sedan together with its V6 powered | | | | automotive facility the HPD possess |
| legend four-door midsized sedan. And from | | | | environmentally friendly features like for |
| then on Acura, Honda's upscale brand has | | | | instance the byproduct of electric dynos is |
| turned into a major key player in the US | | | | ice which is then used to cool the building |
| automotive market. | | | | and the machineries inside the facility. |
| | | | Catalytic converters are also used on all |
| Acuras have also emerged as a power on the | | | | gasoline powered equipment to keep emissions |
| sports racing department. Motorsports | | | | as low as possible. |
| aficionados have been following Acuras in the | | | | |
| racing circuits while privateers have been | | | | Fernandez who is a longtime Honda partner |
| campaigning Integras, RSXs, and NSXs to | | | | will be lending a hand in helping the HPD |
| racing championships for many years now. | | | | massage the gas-powered 3.4 liter V8 that |
| Despite the fact that Acura has grown into a | | | | powers all three cars and is presently using |
| profitable brand it has preferred to leave | | | | a Lola chassis to remove the Acura |
| factory backed efforts to Honda, the largest | | | | underpinnings as a variable. The engine revs |
| engine maker in the world. | | | | up somewhere 550 horsepower---this is not the |
| | | | official figure since the team preferred to |
| Acura has expanded its reach and have started | | | | keep a secret. |
| hitting the shores of China last year. And | | | | |
| for 2008, Honda will officially introduce the | | | | Roger Griffiths, HPD Technical Group Leader |
| Acura brand in the Japanese market. At | | | | said, "There are two things I always say I |
| present Acuras are sold under the Honda badge | | | | don't discuss. How much horsepower we have |
| in Japan. The main purpose of such move is to | | | | and how much money it cost us." Despite how |
| market the Acura brand as an international | | | | hard the team tries to keep it as a secret |
| brand and it can also be concluded that this | | | | but its obvious how the Griffiths and company |
| move is born out from the natural desire for | | | | are particularly proud of the engine which is |
| competition similar to when Acura decide to | | | | the first to be ever created by HPD. |
| join the big-time motorsports competition. | | | | |
| | | | The Acura LMP2 car is a real screamer and |
| Currently the automaker is officially | | | | mind you it's really loud. Fortunately the |
| supporting three LMP2 class cars for this | | | | ALMS governing body makes sure that the |
| year's American Le Mans Series (ALMS) | | | | engine will not exceed 113 decibels at any |
| campaign and will be supplying the chassis | | | | given time. The Acura engine runs somewhere |
| work for two of them. The opening of the ALMS | | | | between 116-117 decibels which is quite close |
| at the 12 Hours of Sebring has proven a | | | | to what a jet produces at around 120, this |
| fruitful one for Honda with the Acura | | | | particular trait of the Acura engine can help |
| Andretti Racing team scoring a class win and | | | | you to distinguish it even when you're not |
| placing second overall behind Audi's super | | | | looking. |
| powerful LMP1 car. The two other Acura | | | | |
| powered teams namely the Fernandez Racing and | | | | The Highcroft Racing which is a new team is |
| Highcroft Racing also did well , and has | | | | concentrating in updating and improving the |
| garnered second and fourth in the LMP2 class, | | | | Acura ARX 01 A chassis which started life as |
| respectively. | | | | a Courage. However not everything the is |
| | | | Courage was removed or changed, there were |
| All of Acura's ALMS efforts were formulated | | | | also some parts that remained like the tub, |
| at the Honda Performance Development (HPD) | | | | crashbox, and the gearbox---all the rest have |
| center in Santa Clarita, California which is | | | | been re-engineered by the HPD team. |
| approximately 60 miles away from Long Beach. | | | | |
| The HPD was founded in 1993 and since then | | | | Andretti team which was the most established |
| been utilized as an instrument in the | | | | team among the three will obtain the benefits |
| development of Honda's Champ Car and IRL | | | | of the engine as well as the improvements |
| teams. It employs some 120 engineers, | | | | done on the chassis in order to produce the |
| technicians, and mechanics. | | | | most powerful Acura car ever developed. |
| | | | Highcroft driver David Brabham said, "We've |
| The HPD facility is also where vital | | | | got a good car and a good group of drivers, |
| components that the ALMS teams will use such | | | | so I think we have a really strong package |
| as Acura RSC performance parts are developed. | | | | early in the season. |