Acura ILX Endurance Racer

Posted on 10.31.2012 20:00 by Simona Filed under: Acura | coupe | race cars | SEMA Auto Show | 2012 | Acura ILX | Cars | Car Reviews | Acura

Next to the ILX Street Build" Concept developed in cooperation with Evasive Motorsports, Acura has also unveiled the ILX Endurance Racer at the 2012 SEMA Show. This racer be will making its competition debut at next month’s 25 Hours of Thunderhill endurance race where it will compete against models like the Porsche GT3 and Mazda MX5 Miata.

The ILX Endurance Racer was built using a Acura ILX "body in white" bare chassis, with all the work done by Team Honda Research- West. The main focus was to reduce the vehicle’s weight and improve overall performance numbers. The race car still needed to include all of the safety equipments required by NASA, so Acura added a full roll cage, a Bride Gardis III race seat, an OMP competition steering wheel, a Schroth safety harness, Brockway Engineering D Gauge digital OBD2 gauges, and a Braille lightweight battery.

Exterior updates include a new set of Baja Designs LED lighting system for long winter night-running, a THR-W-designed front splitter, and an APR GTC-200 rear spoiler.

The Endurance Racer is powered by a K24Z7 engine mated to a 6-speed transmission. The engine’s cooling is ensured by new AEM air intakes and the luscious exhaust note will be enjoyed because of the custom-built AEM/120 Racing exhaust. The Acura ILX will also be equipped with a new set of Enkei RPF1 wheels fitted with BF Goodrich R1 race tires. Other updates include an H&R suspension, limited-slip differential, motor mounts, anti-roll bars, and rear upper suspension control arms.

SEMA 2012: 650hp Blackbird Trans Am Supercharged

This Blackbird Trans Am was commissioned by a former NBA superstar, drafted directly out of high school, who brought his vision and dream for a one-off custom built modern Trans Am. The end result build by Trans Am Depot is showcased at the SEMA 2012 show!

Based upon a Chevrolet Camaro, we hardly have any information about this project. Looking at the photos, you will see a massive supercharger installed on the engine offering 650hp to the rear wheels. On the outside, a completely new body kit was fitted changing the complete looks of the muscle car.

At the front, the fascia has been changed drastically. The hood has a special Trans Am decal and a hole accomodating the supercharger. The side profile has been changed as well and features suicide doors offering an improved entrance into the upgrade Camaro interior. Special targa roof panels have also been installed.

The rear has a completely new look featuring spoilers on the rear window, a new rear bumper and re-positioned exhaust end pipes. Inside the cabin, you will notice a number of changes. Carbon fiber parts were fitted together with Trans Am decals on the head rests of the seats, the center storage area and the door inlays. A new gearbox selector complements the kit.

[Photos by Effspot Photography]

SEMA 2012: Chevrolet Camaro Performance V6 Concept

Developed in a similar vein to the racing-intended Camaro V8 Performance Concept, this Camaro Performance V6 concept of a track-capable Camaro uses a 323-horsepower LFX V6 engine and is shown at the SEMA 2012 show.

The concept uses a blend of components available from Chevrolet Performance, such as the ZL1 Brake Conversion Kit and Camaro 1LE suspension kit, as well as the rear differential from the Camaro 1LE.

Additional features on this Summit White concept Camaro include a Chevrolet Performance shock tower brace, Camaro ZL1 dual-mode exhaust system and rear diffuser, Camaro convertible rear spoiler in matte black, Chevrolet Accessories heritage grille painted matte black and a Camaro Dusk front splitter in matte black.

Other parts are an upper front fascia blackout graphic, matte black hood wrap with exposed Summit White stripe and Chevrolet Accessories 20×10 inch (front) and 20×11 inch (rear) ten-spoke black wheels with milled faces.

Inside the cabin, the concept has summit White door panel and instrument panel inserts, Chevrolet Accessories lighting package, pedal covers and Camaro-logo premium floor mats. Other parts in the interior are a Concept Chevrolet Performance embroidered console lid and sill plates, Concept Chevrolet Performance logo on the instrument panel insert and a Production RS gauge package.

[Photos by Effspot Photography]

Ford Mustangs at SEMA 2012

Next to four special Mustang models on display at the Ford Booth, Steven Valline a contributor at High Gear Media revealed a blitz of Mustangs outside of the main exhibit halls just before they were positioned in their particular places.

In the gallery, you see many Mustangs which will be on display at the biggest tuning show in the world. GTspirit is on its way to Las Vegas right now for a full spread coverage of the event. Stay tuned for more in the coming hours!

[Via Mustang Evolution]