The Pikes Peak Hill Climb is held annually in Colorado, but it isn’t an ordinary race. It’s a brutal ascent to above 14,000 feet along a 12.4-mile route that consists of 156 turns. Drivers not only have to worry about maintaining control of their vehicles but also their power output as the air thins on their way skyward. No, it isn’t an ordinary race, so no ordinary machine can serve as pace car.

What makes the new Acura NSX the perfect pace car for Pikes Peak?

Enter the all-new Acura NSX, a super car thirty years in the making.

With a twin-turbo V6 engine and a nine-speed, dual-clutch transmission, this car has more than enough power to get to the top. It’s not just the power that makes the NSX the perfect pace car, though.

There’s also Acura’s Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), a system that has reached its purist form yet on this vehicle. In addition to the V6, the NSX also boasts three electric motors that can crank out extra torque, granting extra traction and grip to the wheels that need it most. You haven’t taken a turn until you’ve experienced SH-AWD.

Experience the NSX with the Official Smartphone App

Do you want to see what it’s like to sit in the new NSX right now?

Head to the App Store now to download the Acura NSX eXperience, an augmented reality journey brought to you by 3DEXCITE.

The app offers you an inside look at the NSX where you control the view. You can also witness the NSX in motion with the help of this target image.

For the best results, you’ll want to print out this image or open it on a tablet and place it on a flat surface, then point your phone at the image with the app running. After that, you’ll be amazed. Our only caution is that this app can drain your battery quickly, so it might be better enjoyed within safe distance of a phone charger.

The first wave of new Acura NSX models is expected to be delivered later this year. Give us a call at Leith Acura in Cary if you have any questions about this historic car. We would love to discuss it with you.

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How does a four-door sedan go toe-to-toe with the GT performance vehicles from the likes of Audi, Mclaren, and Ferrari? That’s the question Jalopnik has tried to answer in one of the latest video of their series “Neat Stuff in Cool Cars.”

The RealTime Racing team has had an exceptional year thus far in the Pirelli World Challenge, notching their first victory in St. Petersburg and posting several strong finishes elsewhere. Jalopnik’s Travis Okulski (of Jeff Gordon prank video fame) got to drive one of the team’s TLX GT racecars, and he was surprised by what he found.

When you open the hood of the racing spec TLX, there’s no engine there. It’s been pushed way back, practically mounted beneath the windshield. Open the driver’s door and you’ll see the seat is similarly far back, even with the B pillar. Even the massive rear wing extends off the trunk, beyond the end of the car.

“The idea, obviously, is to get the weight as close to the center as possible so you can get the best grip,” says Ryan Eversley, RealTime Racing team member and driver of car No. 43. “Us being all-wheel drive, we have to capitalize on grip as our advantage over some of the other cars.”

Eversley goes on to talk about how much of a boon the TLX’s all-wheel drive is in rain conditions, where it helps them outperform even the most seasoned racers.

As Okulski points out, the TLX GT looks remarkably similar to its consumer-friendly cousin. In order to be eligible for racing, it has to be a street-legal vehicle, too. The takeaway here is that every time you pass a 2015 TLX on the highway, or the next time you find yourself behind the wheel of one, understand it’s a car that champions drive.

We wish the RealTime Racing team the best of luck as the season continues. If you want to find out what makes the TLX so special, and you’re in the Raleigh area, stop on by Leith Acura. Our staff would be more than happy to arrange a test drive.

Schedule a test drive

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We’ve been talking about it for well over a year now, waiting, anticipating, and speculating. Now the wait is almost over.

Acura is set to reveal the production version of the 2016 NSX in just five days. The supercar will debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 12.

It will go on sale “sometime in 2015.” That narrows down the release to about three hundred and fifty possible dates. Once we know for sure, we’ll let you know.

Leith Acura of Cary is a great place to service or repair your Acura vehicle if you’re in the Raleigh area. Visit our website for more information.

(H/T Car and Driver)

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It’s only been a few weeks since it made its debut at the LA Auto Show, but we are already hankering for the 2016 Acura ILX. The brand promised a number of substantial updates to the model and we’re pleased to see they came through on all of them.

This video from Redline Reviews gives a quick rundown of all the exciting new features coming to Acura’s entry level model.

Looking at the list of upgrades it’s clear that Acura is playing catchup with the ILX. The tech trickledown has finally trickled all the way down and the results are very promising. The ILX is leaving behind its older underpowered engine and getting a new 2.4-liter direct injection four-cylinder that will make 201 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. A power increase is great, but the really big news is the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It’s paired with the same universally acclaimed torque converter from the TLX, which will lend itself to easy acceleration and more efficient fuel consumption.

The ILX’s looks are clearly much improved with a new grille and standard Jewel Eye headlamps, but it’s the interior that has really evolved. Acura has insured that the materials and layout are befitting of a modern luxury vehicle. The dual-screen infotainment display makes its way to the ILX for the first time, as do a variety of driver-friendly features and safety systems.

For an exhaustive list of updates and details coming with the 2016 Acura ILX, check out this post on the Acura Connected blog. So far we’ve heard that this model will be available early next year, but no set date has been announced, and that’s probably going to be the case for a while. Even so, you should check in with us for the latest news and updates. Leith Acura is the best dealer for new Acura vehicles in the Raleigh area.

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The Acura TLX sports sedan represents the future architecture of the company. Once the high-end Japanese automaker debuted the TLX prototype at the 2014 Detroit Motor Show, it began an advertising blitz that incorporated television, radio, and social media in various innovative ways. In fact, the Honda Corporation even assigned a marketing division and task force to craft a specific message about who Acura buyers are.

Michael Accavitti, Acura General Manager, believes that the TLX “is attracting so much attention online and showroom traffic at our dealers that we don’t yet know the car’s true potential.”

Much of the renewed buzz has arisen from sales numbers released for September, the first full month of sales for the TLX. Dealers across the United States sold 3,884 units of the Marysville-made luxury sedan last month. Coupled with invigorated sales of the ILX entry-level sedan, MDX sport-utility vehicle, and the RDX crossover, Acura’s total sales were up 18.8% (with a 40.9% jump in the car division).

It seems so far that Acura’s hope for its newest sedan to boost its struggling car sales wasn’t misplaced. The coming months will test if these initial sales numbers have staying power, and a continued advertising campaign combined with positive reviews should yield positive results. Leith Acura in Cary boasts a great inventory of the new TLX sports sedan. After months of anticipation, our staff of knowledgeable brand ambassadors await to help you discover the thrill of the most exciting new sedan on the market.

If you take a quick trip to Leith Acura in Cary, North Carolina, you can speak with our specialists to schedule a test drive in the 2015 Acura TLX – it’s that kind of thrill.

http://youtu.be/gkXFUMq_pnM

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Acura, in 2012, featured Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno in its Super Bowl commercial. The primetime advertisement was a success; it even discovered an inherent chemistry between Seinfeld and the Acura brand. With the help of Creative Artists Agency, the automaker and the comedian signed a deal to create what would become an incredibly popular web series, eventually even yielding a few unique ads.

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

The premise is as simple as the title: Jerry Seinfeld picks up comedians in classic cars, and they go get a cup of coffee. Along the way, he speaks with his guests regarding their experiences in life and the industry in which they work. Some of the previous Hollywood figures include Louis CK, Seth Meyers, Howard Stern, Sarah Silverman, and Larry David. Since its debut two years ago, the web show has amassed more than 40 million streams.

Acura, realizing the potential to reach millions of new consumers, renewed its sole sponsorship of the web series. Another four seasons, twenty-four episodes in total, will be featured on Sony Pictures Television’s Crackle.com.

Jerry and Barry

At one point during the first three seasons of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, Jerry Seinfeld penned a few unique advertisements for Acura. These ads satirized the car commercials of the 1960s, capturing some of the hyperbolic tactics and acting of this decade – kudos to director Barry Sonnenfeld for his efforts.

For the fourth and fifth seasons of his web show, Jerry Seinfeld employed his creativity to draft a new set of quirky ads. This time, in place of a ‘60s spoof, we get Dan Granite.

Dan Granite is a fast-talking, confident brand ambassador for Acura who spellbinds customers by intermingling interesting (or maybe odd?) life advice with what distinguishes the luxurious, all-new Acura TLX.

“I sell cars; you sell you,” he states.

Seinfeld confirmed that ten commercials were filmed, providing two for each upcoming web episode.

Everyone involved with American Honda’s Acura Division is enthusiastic about the return of Comedians. The general manager of the division, Mike Accavitti, recently told the media that he thinks “we’ve really stumbled onto something special.”

Make sure you check out Crackle.com to see all of the upcoming seasons of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.

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One of the most commendable – and sometimes destructive – qualities of human beings is ambition. We all have a natural inclination toward a subject or idea or industry; it compels us to employ imagination, work harder, and take risks so that we may reach current goals and set new ones. Andy Green has a proclivity for speed, which is something upon which he’s built a legendary reputation.

Andy Green was a British Royal Air Force fighter pilot. The RAF promoted Andy throughout his years of service, and he eventually earned the rank of Officer Commanding Operations Wing. His experience in jets ranged from the F-4 Phantom to the Tornado F3. It should come as no surprise, based on his military experience, that Green was the first person to break the sound barrier on land and become the holder of the World Land speed record (763 MPH).

He accomplished this in 1997. Now, he wants to break his own record.

Andy “Dead Dog” Green began collaborating with Richard Noble again to break the 1,000 miles per hour mark in Bloodhound SSC’s land racing car. At this point, you may be asking yourself this question: “How powerful must a land vehicle be to reach that speed?” The jet engine and rocket that will power this car will produce the equivalent of 135,000 horsepower; in other words, approximately 180 Formula One cars combined.

The next question is a logical progression of thought: “How do you stop a land vehicle that is able to reach that speed?” When the car’s speed reaches its zenith, air brakes and parachutes will reduce the speed to 160 MPH. Mechanical brakes must manage the rest of deceleration until the car comes to a full stop. Its wheels are custom-built and fully steel, and they are designed for minimal traction like a Pinewood derby car. That means braking must not lock the wheels, or Green risks catastrophe.

Inside the cockpit is a complex platform of switches and screens that will feed Green all of the information he needs to safely make his run. From his molded carbon-fiber seat, sculpted to meet exact specifications, Green will use all of the necessary tools to ignite the rocket and, more importantly, the braking mechanisms. Should there be any electrical failures, the Bloodhound has a failsafe of manual overrides.

Should curiosity strike you about what it would be like inside this vehicle as it reaches 1,000 MPH, realize that the noise would sound like a constant gunshot and temperatures will exceed 95 degrees Fahrenheit. If that dissuades you but watching someone else experience it still sounds interesting, you’ll have to wait until 2016 when Andy Green attempts this feat in the South African desert.

You can read more about Andy Green and his Bloodhound in this Motoramic article.

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No matter how you might describe it – average, ordinary, standard – mediocrity is easy. It requires minimal effort and commitment. Merely existing places no burden or expectation upon one’s shoulders.

To be exceptional, however, is challenging. We must indefatigably commit to excellence and live by three keystones: diligence, innovation, and creation. It takes more than we thought we were capable of, yet we push forward and persevere. We raise the bar and reap the rewards.

Acura’s desire to be exceptional is manifest through its line of performance vehicles. The 2014 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD, 2015 TLX Prototype, and NSX Concept all reflect the future of the Japanese automaker’s designs and engineering. To merely exist in a class of luxury vehicles does not sate the hunger; to be the best is the only option, and every competitor is on the menu.

Michael Accavitti, senior vice president of American Honda Motor Co., may have said it best: “We think sports programming provides us with a great context to showcase the incredible athleticism of these new Acura vehicles and the competitive spirit of the Acura brand.”

The company also parlayed its precision and innovation into the newest commercial that illustrates the allure and power of the luxury-sports models. The advertisement will debut this Saturday night during NBC prime-time programming, carry through NCAA’s “March Madness” that is sponsored by Acura, and conclude on select cable networks in April.

Acura’s advertisement, itself, is impressive.

Imagine this:

Camera shots of an immense crowd gathered in an Aldous Huxley-esque arena. The spectators’ anticipation is conveyed through their bright expressions and tense body language. A quick shift of focus falls on mechanical race horses that bristle with energy. Suddenly, the gates burst open and the idled verve turns kinetic. Everyone cheers as the machines jockey for position, and thoughtful cinematography subtly shows one man whose face hints at his expectation that something unprecedented is about to happen. From among the machines comes a sleek, black horse at full stride and forces its way to the lead.

The horse transforms into the RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD, and it is joined by the TLX and NSX. An on-screen graphic fades in to declare “Let the race begin.”

Oh, the beauty and genius of Acura.

If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us at comments@leithmail.com or visit Leith Acura in Cary to speak with one of our wonderful brand ambassadors.

Enjoy the video!

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Since SuperBowl XLVI, Acura and comedian Jerry Seinfeld have established a unique relationship between brand and celebrity: a real-time, unscripted series of ten- to fifteen-minute vignettes.

“Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” is currently in its third season, and it features some comedy heavyweights that include Louis C.K., Tina Fey, Howard Stern, and Patton Oswalt. If you haven’t seen it, the premise is quite simple: Jerry Seinfeld picks up a fellow comedian, drives the two of them around New York City, stops for coffee, and engages in discussions about experiences as a comic. Despite its basic formatting, each episode is as unique as the comedians’ styles and backgrounds – and the banter seamlessly spans a variety of stories.

Previous episodes have featured Alec Baldwin, Larry David, Ricky Gervais, David Letterman, Michael Richards, Chris Rock, and Sara Silverman.

For his own web series, Jerry Seinfeld also produces commercials that feature Acura vehicles prior to each “webisode.”

Enjoy this trailer for the third season of “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee”:

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at comments@leithmarketing.com.

Should this commercial inspire you to aspire for an Acura, stop down at Leith Acura Cary and speak with one of our representatives!

As always, we at Leith Cars encourage you to…

Read. Re-post. Reply.

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