IMSA video: Acura offers first look at ARX-05

Acura's brand-new ARX-05 Daytona Prototype international has broken cover in a teaser video released by the manufacturer.

Built on the ORECA 07 LMP2 chassis, the customized ARX-05 version that will run in IMSA's WeatherTech SportsCar Championship makes a significant visual departure from the base model. Similar to the Ligier JS P217-based Nissan Onroak DPi, the ARX-05 uses a wide, chevron-like beam that spans the front fenders. It sits above a reprofiled center nose section that includes a duct at its base that is not found on the 07.

The sharp, angular beam and nose profiling will make it easy to tell the Team Penske-run Acuras from the other DPi models produced by Cadillac, Mazda and Nissan.

In the video, which features a driver wearing a helmet that bears a strong resemblance to LMP2 driver Bruno Senna, a fresh sidepod treatment is shown with added radiator venting on the topside and what appears to be tighter sculpting at the base.

Exhaust outlets from the 07 carry over – at least on the test mule – and from an overhead shot, a shadow can be seen at the back of the car, which suggests some sort of aero-profiled beam spanning the rear fenders was tested during the ARX-05's shakedown at the Paul Ricard circuit in France.

The ARX-05 will be formally unveiled on August 18 in Monterey.

Click on the thumbnails for larger images.

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