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