TORRANCE, Calif., June 17, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — A pair of race-prepped Acura TLX Type S sport sedans will make their racing debut as Acura returns to The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo, with multiple race entries piloted and crewed by the company’s R&D engineers. This year the performance brand will have four production-based race cars competing in the 99^th running of Colorado’s “Race to the Clouds” on June 27, challenging the 12.42-mile 156-turn mountain course.

Making its public debut, the turbocharged 2022 MDX Type S will tow one of the TLX Type S race cars from the team’s shop in Raymond, OH to Pikes Peak, CO and support the Acura team during competition. A high-performance version of Acura’s new flagship SUV, the turbocharged MDX Type S is the first Acura SUV to wear the Type S badge and will be the brand’s quickest and most powerful SUV ever when it goes on sale later this year.

In addition, Acura’s new 2021 TLX Type S will pace the field of the prestigious motorsports event driven by television personality and self-proclaimed car nut Ant Anstead, former host of enthusiast programs like “Wheeler Dealers,” “Master Mechanic” and co-founder of Radford Motors.

Motorsports are a key proof point of Acura’s commitment to Precision Crafted Performance, and its Pikes Peak efforts are a pure expression of this ethos. For the 11^th year in a row the Acura race team consists of Acura R&D engineers who compete in the world-famous hill climb to grow their skills and test future performance technologies for Acura production vehicles. The all-volunteer team is responsible for every aspect of the brand’s involvement, including the development of the race vehicles, race prep, crew support and of course driving duties.

Since first competing at the event in 2011, this volunteer effort has chalked up numerous race records and podium finishes. Acura currently holds the Hybrid class record set by James Robinson last year in the “Time Attack” Acura NSX (10:01.913), and the front-wheel drive record set in 2018 by Nick Robinson behind the wheel of a first-generation Acura TLX (10:48.094). Acura also holds the Pikes Peak Open division record of 9:24.433 set by Peter Cunningham behind the wheel of the Acura TLX GT race car.

Acura 2021 Pikes Peak Entries:

2021 Acura TLX Type S, Pikes Peak Open Division – Driver: Justin Lumbard

Acura engineer Justin Lumbard will be piloting a modified all-wheel drive TLX Type S in the highly competitive Pikes Peak Open division, where Acura currently holds the record. Lumbard’s TLX Type S has been prepped for competition with a larger turbo designed to deliver consistent boost at the exceptionally high altitudes of Pikes Peak, which reach more than 14,000 feet at the summit. The engine also features additional cooling, and the engine, transmission and SH-AWD® system software have all been retuned for race duty.

Chassis modifications include a race-prepped suspension with a 1-inch drop in ride height, race-compound brake pads with additional brake cooling and temperature monitoring and lightweight HRE 19 x 9.5-inch race wheels with Pirelli slicks.

More than 600 pounds of weight have been eliminated by removing the sedan’s interior and the use of lightweight components including a carbon fiber hood. On the exterior, the aerodynamic benefits of its composite front splitter, rear wing and dive planes have been tuned using Acura’s R&D computer aided design simulations.  

Lumbard joined the Acura Pikes Peak team in 2017, became co-leader in 2018, and assumed the leadership role last year. The 2020 competition also was his first year driving in the race, taking the wheel of a 2021 TLX 2.0T in the Exhibition division, where he finished sixth in the group.

2021 Acura TLX Type S, Exhibition Division – Driver: Jordan Guitar

Jordan Guitar is a member of the company’s Chassis Development Group, and made his Pikes Peak debut in 2018 driving a third-generation Acura RDX, and returned in 2019 piloting an Acura MDX Sport Hybrid. Last year, Guitar drove a 2021 Acura TLX 2.0T SH-AWD® to a fifth-place finish in the Exhibition division.

This year, Guitar’s 2021 Acura TLX Type S has been modified with a race-tuned active suspension that includes a 1-inch ride height drop, lightweight HRE 19 x 9-inch race wheels and Pirelli race slicks. Approximately 300 pounds have been stripped from the car, the sedan’s engine management system has been re-tuned for race duty and a rear wing helps optimize its aerodynamics.

Acura NSX, Time Attack 1 Division – Driver: James Robinson

James Robinson will again drive the “Time Attack” NSX, which returns to the Peak for the fifth consecutive year. This is Robinson’s 11^th time at Pikes Peak, with his past successes including the Hybrid production car record set with an NSX in 2020 (10:01.913), as well as podium finishes in the Exhibition, Open and Time Attack 1 divisions.

The “Time Attack” NSX features improved aerodynamics by way of a larger rear wing and aggressive front splitter. Larger turbochargers and enhanced engine management software increase total system output to around 625 horsepower. Various weight reduction measures, including a stripped interior, reduce the supercar’s weight by more than 200 lbs. Its lightweight HRE forged wheels are wrapped in high-grip Pirelli R-compound tires.

Acura NSX, Exhibition Division – Driver: Nick Robinson

Like his brother James, Nick Robinson has successfully competed at Pikes Peak multiple times, winning the PP250 class on a Honda motorcycle in 2015, securing a Time Attack 2 Production Class win in an NSX in 2016, winning Exhibition class in 2017 and establishing a front-wheel-drive record of 10:48.094 in 2018.

This year, the R&D engineer will be driving a near-stock Acura NSX in a declared Time Attack 2 production record attempt. Modifications to the production-spec supercar include OMP safety equipment and the use of DOT-approved Hoosier race tires per class rules.

2022 Acura MDX Type S

Powered by the brand’s all-new Type S Turbo V6 the 2022 MDX Type S delivers 355-horsepower, 354 ft.-lbs. of peak torque and a max towing rating of 5,000 lbs[1]. Exclusive to Acura Type S models, this new engine was developed by some of the company’s most experienced powertrain engineers, including members of the team that developed the bespoke twin-turbocharged V6 for the NSX supercar.

The high-performance SUVs also features Acura’s advanced Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) with true torque-vectoring, a quick-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission, Brembo® front brakes and double-wishbone front suspension, along with a Type S-exclusive Sport+ driving mode that sharpens responses for even greater performance and driver enjoyment.

More details about MDX Type S will be available closer to its on-sale date later this year.

About Acura

Acura is a leading automotive nameplate that delivers Precision Crafted Performance – a commitment to expressive styling, high-performance and innovative engineering, all built on a foundation of quality and reliability. The Acura lineup features five distinctive models – the ILX and TLX sport sedans, the RDX and MDX sport-utility vehicles, high-performance Type S variants and the electrified NSX supercar. All 2021 model year and newer Acura vehicles sold in America are made in the U.S., using domestic and globally sourced parts.

¹ Requires optional towing package. Maximum towing capacity is 5,000 lbs.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1535312/Acura_Pikes_Peak_2021.jpg 
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/458749/acura_logo.jpg

SOURCE Acura

IRVINE, Calif., June 16, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The hot-selling Telluride, with year-on-year sales up 68 percent, maintains its bold style and adds the new Kia badging and slightly redesigned radiator grille. Inside, Kia’s award-winning SUV adds a larger 10.25-inch navigation display, fully automatic temperature control and highway driving assist to the LX and S trims, as well as Navigation Based Smart Cruise Control-Curve to all trims.

Pricing¹ – MSRP (excludes $1,225 destination)

Engine: 

 Fuel Economy² – EPA-est. MPG: (city/highway/combined): 

Highlighted Kia Drive Wise Advanced Driver Assistance Features³:

• Driver Attention Warning:
• Std: All trims
• Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist:
• Std: All trims
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist:
• Std: All trims
• Forward Collision Avoidance Assist:
• Std: All trims
• Lane Keeping Assist:
• Std: All trims
• Lane Following Assist:
• Std: All trims

Dimensions:

Kia America – about us

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia America continues to top quality surveys and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands. Kia serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and offers a complete range of vehicles sold through a network of more than 750 dealers in the U.S., including cars and SUVs proudly assembled in America.*

For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1535102/Kia_Telluride_Nightfall_Edition.jpg 
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/812837/Kia_Motors_America_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Kia America

– Chairman Chung visited Motional and Boston Dynamics to discuss the future of the business and strengthen Hyundai Motor Group’s resolve to provide human-centered mobility

– The Chairman discussed with executives and employees of Motional about joint projects, such as IONIQ 5 autonomous car development, during his first-time visit since the Group’s investment announcement

– On his visit to Boston Dynamics, the Chairman also reviewed developments in the robot industry and experienced various robot technologies firsthand

SEOUL, South Korea, June 16, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung is visiting the U.S. to review the Group’s strategies for future mobility and the direction of technological development.

Chairman Chung has met executives and engineers of Motional Inc., the Group’s autonomous driving joint venture (JV), in Boston, Mass., as well as Boston Dynamics in Waltham, Mass. The Chairman will also visit Motional’s R&D facility in Pittsburgh, Penn.

During his visit to Motional, Chairman Chung discussed the business direction of autonomous technology with the JV’s executives in Boston and will tour its R&D site in Pittsburgh where the next-generation system is being developed. It is the first time that Chairman Chung is visiting Motional since the Group announced its investment in the JV with Aptiv in 2019.

Chairman Chung also visited the headquarters of Boston Dynamics, of which the Group announced its intent to acquire a controlling interest in December 2020 and going through regulatory approvals. There, the Chairman met with company executives to discuss the future of the business and trends in the robotics industry.

Chairman Chung’s visit to both companies reaffirms the Group’s aim to make future mobility business into a new growth engine, as he emphasized in his New Year’s message earlier this year. In that message, the Chairman presented his vision for transforming the Group by strengthening business competitiveness in innovative mobility technologies, such as autonomous driving and robotics.

By pursuing this strategy, the Group plans to develop and innovate human-centered mobility for a better future for the humanity.

At Motional: IONIQ 5 autonomous car tests, robotaxis and more

During his visit to Motional, Chairman Chung discussed ways to collaborate as well as the direction and advancement plan of future business. At Motional’s R&D facility, the Chairman will take a tour of the facility and meet with researchers.

Among various collaborative projects, Chairman Chung inspected the autonomous Hyundai IONIQ 5 battery electric vehicle (BEV), which is equipped with Motional’s next-generation autonomous driving platform. Motional is currently testing the self-driving BEV on roads in the U.S.

Last year, Motional obtained the industry’s first unmanned autonomous driving test license in the state of Nevada, and it plans to commercialize a robotaxi service using unmanned autonomous vehicles with Lyft in 2023.

Headquartered in Boston, Motional has offices in Pittsburgh, Las Vegas, Santa Monica and Singapore, and has opened an additional office in Seoul, which will serve as another core technology hub and will test autonomous driving technologies.

At Boston Dynamics: Robotics on the rise

Chairman Chung also visited the headquarters of Boston Dynamics, which is in the process of being acquired by the Group, and had discussions with its executives about the future of the business and trends in the robotics industry.

He also experienced firsthand Boston Dynamics’ various cutting-edge robotic technologies, such as the its first commercial quadrupedal robot, Spot as well as Atlas, a research robot that walks upright like a human, and Stretch, the company’s newest box-moving robot aimed at warehouse automation. Stretch will be Boston Dynamics’ second commercialized product and is scheduled to be release next year.

“In the future, I think robots will play the role of assistants who help people at all times,” said Chairman Chung at a town hall meeting held for Group employees in March this year. “While robots charge themselves and manage schedules, people will be able to focus on more productive and creative work.”

In addition to improving its own robot development capabilities, the Group plans to actively seek synergies with autonomous vehicles, Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and smart factory technologies. Amid the global megatrend of aging populations and non-contact, the robot’s role in public service, such as safety, security, health and disaster relief, is also expected.

About Hyundai Motor Group
Hyundai Motor Group is a global enterprise that has created a value chain based on mobility, steel, and construction, as well as logistics, finance, IT, and service.

With about 250,000 employees worldwide, the Group’s mobility brands include Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. Armed with creative thinking, cooperative communication and the will to take on any challenges, we strive to create a better future for all.

More information about Hyundai Motor Group, please see: www.hyundaimotorgroup.com

More information about Hyundai Motor and its products can be found at:
worldwide.hyundai.com or globalpr.hyundai.com

Visit the Kia Global Media Center for more information: www.kianewscenter.com

For more information on Genesis and its new definition of luxury, please visit https://www.genesis.com

Disclaimer: Hyundai Motor Group believes the information contained herein to be accurate at the time of release. However, the company may upload new or updated information if required and assumes that it is not liable for the accuracy of any information interpreted and used by the reader.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1442697/Kia_New_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Kia America