Acura is attacking Pikes Peak with a specially prepared Integra Type S DE5, targeting a front-wheel-drive record at North America's most brutal hill climb. The Japanese luxury brand owns the current FWD benchmark at the mountain, but this new assault with a factory race car aims to topple its own mark.
The Integra Type S DE5 represents a significant engineering undertaking. Acura engineered a dedicated race variant of its latest performance sedan, leveraging the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 315 horsepower in production form. For Pikes Peak's 12.42-mile course with 156 turns and 4,720 feet of elevation gain, the race car receives extensive modifications for weight reduction, aerodynamic optimization, and suspension tuning tailored to the mountain's unpredictable asphalt and gravel sections.
The challenge is formidable. Pikes Peak demands versatility across multiple surfaces and conditions. Competitors face temperature swings, thin air at 14,130 feet elevation, and a surface that transitions from paved highway to loose gravel. Front-wheel-drive vehicles face inherent disadvantages here compared to all-wheel-drive rivals, particularly in traction and brake balance during aggressive downhill sections.
Acura's pursuit reflects broader industry messaging around FWD performance viability. While most manufacturers chase all-wheel-drive advantages for hill climbs and rallies, Acura intends to prove that intelligent engineering and driver skill can overcome those disadvantages. The Integra Type S itself sits at the intersection of accessibility and performance, priced under $45,000 for the street version.
This effort carries marketing weight beyond the podium. A Pikes Peak victory would validate Acura's Type S engineering claims and provide marketing ammunition in a