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Acura ALMS Race Car Enters Stage Left
Acura used its time at the 2006 New York auto show to formally introduce its 2007 RDX, which goes on sale in summer 2006; tease us with a near-production-but-still-concept version of the 2007 MDX (on sale in fall); and to announce it will enter into the American Le Mans Series in 2007. VehicleVoice and AutoPacific contributors were on hand when the racing engine roared to life on the stand.

Following the overview and reveal of the two SUV products, which had been announced before the show, Acura surprised one and all with a racing car hidden off to the left side of the stage. The decision to go racing with the Acura brand follows Lexus and Audi fielding teams, and comes before the next-generation NSX. Though the NSX has been sold as a Honda outside of North America all of its long years, the Acura brand is going global and the NSX replacement will more likely wear the Acura badge world wide. Acura will use a 3.4L V8 for its LMP2 car and develop the chassis with Lola and Courage. Step two will be to build a LMP1 car and earn an invite to the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France.