Acura, BMW, Cadillac and Porsche Are Ready to Show off Their Road Car Technology as Well
By Mark Robinson
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The highly anticipated introduction of the Grand Touring Prototype class later this month at the Rolex 24 At Daytona ushers in an exciting new era of IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competition. To commemorate this monumental debut of revolutionary prototypes, each of the participating GTP manufacturers is also providing a state-of-the-art passenger vehicle to help celebrate the occasion at Daytona International Speedway.
The Acura NSX Type S, BMW XM, Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing and Porsche 911 Turbo S will all take part in the ceremonial prerace parade lap prior to the start of the iconic race on Jan. 28. The four vehicles will then share safety car duties throughout the 24-hour endurance marathon that opens the global motorsports season.
Here’s more information on each of the eye-catching and forward-looking machines:
Acura NSX Type S: Hand-built with a limited production of 350 units globally, the NSX Type S honors its racing lineage with meticulous engineering and striking design, pushing the boundaries with more power and sound for a more adrenaline-fueled drive. The NSX Type S combines an aggressive design and aerodynamic components to create more downforce. The carbon fiber rear diffuser, inspired by the NSX GT3 Evo that competes in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, provides increased stability.
Under the hood comes a 3.5-liter, 75-degree V-6 engine that’s mated to a hybrid motor generating unit (MGU) that stores energy in a lithium-ion battery. That MGU is but one of three electric motors on the car; the other two are in the front at each axle. It’s the highest-performing production NSX ever, featuring 600 horsepower and 492 lb-ft of torque when the power units are combined. With race-spec twin turbos that integrate feeling with sound, you’ll hear the NSX Type S inside and outside the car.
The drivetrain comes with a nine-speed dual-clutch transmission and Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive). The max speed is listed at 191 mph, with a zero-to-60 time of under 3.0 seconds. An available motorsport-focused lightweight package features carbon-ceramic brakes, a carbon fiber engine cover and carbon fiber interior sport package.
BMW XM: The first high-performance vehicle from BMW M with an electrified powertrain, the plug-in hybrid drive system XM delivers a combined 644 horsepower – nearly matching the approximately 670 horses that its GTP cousin, the BMW M Hybrid V8, can reach on the racetrack. The XM achieves it by pairing a 483-horsepower, twin-turbo V-8 internal combustion engine with a 194-horsepower electric motor which is integrated into the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission. The BMW XM sprints from 0-60 mph in just 4.1 seconds before reaching a top speed of up to 168 mph.
The interaction between the combustion engine and electric motor in the BMW XM can be adjusted by selecting a specific driving mode – from hybrid (with three options including Sport and Sport Plus) to all-electric (estimated range of 30 miles) to eCONTROL (which maintains the battery charge so it can be saved for pure-electric driving later).
The 2023 BMW XM is being produced at BMW Manufacturing in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and will arrive at dealers worldwide this spring.
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing: The 2023 CT5-V Blackwing is the most powerful sedan in Cadillac history. Featuring a hand-built, 6.2-liter supercharged V-8, it’s rated at 668 horsepower and 659 lb-ft of torque. The standard six-speed manual transmission comes with exclusive gear cut changes that enhance quietness and durability, with an available 10-speed automatic transmission tuned for performance driving.
The track-tailored chassis and suspension features include standard Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 and the largest factory-installed brakes in Cadillac history, with a lightweight carbon-ceramic brakes package available that offers weight savings, durability and heat management.
GM’s estimated performance for the CT5-V Blackwing has it timed going from zero to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds (automatic transmission) or 3.6 seconds (manual), with a top racetrack speed exceeding 200 mph.
Car and Driver, in its “10Best Cars for 2023” issue, just called the 2023 CT5-V Blackwing “the greatest sports sedan on sale today, if not of all time.”
Porsche 911 Turbo S: Another in the great line of sports cars from the legendary German marque, the 2023 Porsche 911 Turbo S takes full advantage of its 3.8-liter, twin-turbo, flat-six engine. It can generate 640 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, and can race from zero to 60 mph in just 2.6 seconds. Top speed? A mere 205 mph!
The eight-speed gearbox features PDK, an acronym for Porsche’s double-clutch transmission that uses hydraulically actuated wet-clutch packs with one enveloped around the other. One clutch connects reverse, first, third, fifth and seventh gears, while the second handles second, fourth and sixth gears. An electronically controlled valve body engages the correct clutch when needed and drivers never notice the gear changes.
Porsche Active Aerodynamics (PAA) provides remarkable performance attributes to the 911 Turbo S. A variable front spoiler lip and extendable rear wing element, coupled with side air intakes with infinitely adjustable cooling air flaps, offer constantly adjusted air flow for peak performance. Additionally, charge-air cooling and engine air intake in the 911 Turbo is supplied via both the rear fascia with central (twin-branch) air outlet and the side air intake flaps to maximize engine performance.