---
title: "Acura MDX Sport Hybrid With ‘More Than’ 400 HP to Race at 2019 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb"
description: "A modified NSX, RDX, and a TLX race car will join the boosted MDX in the quest for class records and victories next weekend."
date: "2019-06-19"
modified: "2019-06-19"
authors:
  - name: "Jerry Perez"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/28607/acura-mdx-sport-hybrid-with-more-than-400-hp-to-race-at-2019-pikes-peak-international-hill-climb"
categories:
  - "Acura News"
  - "Car Tech"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "Racing"
tags:
  - "acura"
  - "hybrid"
  - "luxury"
  - "mdx"
  - "suv/crossover"
---

# Acura MDX Sport Hybrid With ‘More Than’ 400 HP to Race at 2019 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2019/06/H__1192_3.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Acura revealed a [2019 MDX Sport Hybrid](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/27223/2019-acura-mdx-sport-hybrid-review-age-is-just-a-number-for-acuras-eco-flagship-suv>) with "more than" 400 horsepower that will tackle the 2019 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb come next weekend. In addition to the boosted MDX, two NSX hybrid sports cars and a TLX race car will be driven by four Acura engineers and one pro racing driver. A Thermal Orange NSX will also serve as the official pace car of the event.

The race-prepared MDX Sport Hybrid, which uses a similar drivetrain to the NSX, was built specifically for the hill climb race and is a bit of a beautiful mash-up. It actually takes the standard, [non-hybrid 3.5-liter V6 engine](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/26183/2019-acura-mdx-a-spec-test-drive-review-theres-nothing-wrong-with-pretending>) and bores out the displacement to 3.7-liters. Then, the three-motor electric hybrid system and seven-speed dual clutch transmission are mated to the amped-up engine in order to squeeze the most power possible. The result? "More than" 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque.

A race-tuned active-damper suspension has been optimized to improve dynamic balance and maximize performance, while a custom roll-cage increases rigidity and keeps the driver safe. According to Acura, extensive weight reduction was accomplished by removing much of the interior, including the passenger and second and third-row seats.

https://youtube.com/embed/dJEz3uf-pd8

In addition to the MDX, a 350-horsepower Acura RDX A-Spec modified with a larger turbocharger, short-path intercooler, and electric supercharger fed by a 48-volt micro-hybrid system will also rocket up the hill. Furthermore, two NSXs, a production-based model enhanced only by safety equipment and another with a massive aero package will be driven by Acura engineers and former Pikes Peak competitors.

Lastly, professional racing driver Peter Cunningham will pilot the [RealTime Racing TLX GT](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/21371/acura-rdx-nsx-and-tlx-to-tackle-pikes-peak-hill-climb>) all-wheel-drive race car again in 2019 following a commanding 2018 Open Class Record and overall podium finish. The TLX rocks a twin-turbocharged J35 V6 motor previously used in Pirelli World Challenge series competition, although this specific unit has been tuned to operate at a horsepower-killing 14,115 feet of altitude.

The 97th edition of the "Race to the Clouds," a 12.24-mile race course that takes place on temporarily closed public roads, will take place on Sunday, June 30.

## Author
Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/drive_jerry/>)