For the first time since 1916, an electric vehicle is set to be the pace car at this venerable, globally-renowned motorsport event. On 23rd June, the all-electric 2024 Acura ZDX Type S will become the first all-electric pace car at the 102nd edition of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC). It is Acura’s 10th year as the official PPIHC pace car, with other notable entries, including the second-generation NSX first serving in 2015 and a prototype TLX Type S in 2020.
With nearly 500 horsepower and 738Nm of torque, the ZDX Type S offers ideal equipment for taking on the challenging hill climb course. Equipped with dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD), height adjustable air suspension, adaptive dampers, and massive 15.6-inch six-piston Brembo front brakes, the ZDX Type S promises good performance and handling dynamics too, thanks to its near-50/50 weight distribution. Behind the wheel of the pace car will be pro-BMX athlete, car tuner, and amateur drifter Coco Zurita.
More commonly known as the “Race to the Clouds”, PPIHC is one of America’s longest-running motorsports competitions. Since its inception, drivers from around the world and a wide variety of vehicles from multiple motorsports disciplines have raced against the clock as they take on the 156-turn course, starting at 9,390 feet and climbing to the 14,115-foot summit.
This year, Acura and Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US) will field two Integras in the event, the HRC-developed Acura Integra Type S DE5, driven by Katherine Legge in the Time Attack 1 division, and the Honda of America Racing Team’s (HART) Acura Integra A-Spec, driven by Paul Hubers in the Pikes Peak Open division.