This year’s 102nd Pikes Peak International Hill Climb will feature a unique kick-off as the pace car, the Acura ZDX Type S, ascends the mountain. This marks the first time an all-electric vehicle will serve as the pace car for this prestigious event.
Acura has a long history with Pikes Peak, providing pace cars for the last decade. Last year’s pace car, the TLX Type S, was driven by IndyCar racer David Malukas, while the NSX has taken on that role multiple times. This year, BMX athlete and amateur drifter Coco Zuritas will be behind the wheel of the ZDX Type S.
Despite its role as the pace car, the ZDX will not compete in the race itself. Acura has prepared two specially designed Integras for that purpose. Katherine Legge will drive an HRC-developed Acura Integra Type S in the Time Attack 1 category, while Paul Hubers will pilot a team HART Integra A-Spec in the Pikes Peak Open division.
Built on the GM Ultium platform, thanks to a partnership between Honda and GM, the ZDX Type S features a 102-kWh battery and dual motors, which together deliver 499 horsepower and 544 lb-ft of torque, allowing for swift ascents. Its adjustable air suspension, adaptive dampers, and powerful 15.6-inch front Brembo brakes with six-piston calipers will enhance its handling over the 156 twists and turns of the nearly 5,000-foot elevation climb.
While the ZDX marks the debut of an electric pace car at Pikes Peak, numerous electric vehicles have previously raced the hill. In 2018, the electric Volkswagen ID.R set a new overall record for Pikes Peak, achieving an impressive time of 7:57.148. Although no electric SUV is likely to match that performance soon, the ZDX’s role as the pace car reflects Acura’s evolving focus and the future trajectory of this historic race.
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