HPD Begins Testing ARX-03c LMP1 Car for 2013

Just a few weeks after the prototype racing season ended HondaHondaJapan, 1948 > present102 models
2419 photos
10 videos
was at the Aragon Circuit in Spain from November 18-20 to test the new ARX-03c LMP1 car. 

The ARX-03c will be Honda's customer LMP1 prototype for 2013. The car is still in development but Honda is planning to run the car with wider front tires, revised front suspension, new steering configuration and new front bodywork. The car is still using the 3.4-liter V8 from the ARX-03aHonda HPD ARX 03aJapan, 2012 > present2 photos
1 video
. 

The British Strakka Racing team tested the car at Aragon with drivers Jonny Kane, Nick Leventis and Klaus Graf. 

 "In 2009, HPD showed the future direction of LMP1 car design by pioneering the use of large rear tires on all four wheels of its radical, championship-winning LMP1 Acura ARX-02a prototype.

"Since then, all rival LMP1 manufacturers have adopted this concept, and the 2013 HPD ARX-03c will feature this large front-tire format, along with a raft of aerodynamic and mechanical updates, boosting all-around performance," said HPD Vice President Steve Eriksen.

Honda has not made any announcement about upgrades to the LMP2 ARX-03bHonda HPD ARX 03bJapan, 2012 > present2 photos
1 video
for next season. 

The 2012 ARX-03a LMP1 car won the title in this seasons American Le Mans Series and came second in the World Endurance Championship privateer class. The ARX-03b LMP2 car won the titles in the ALMS and WEC.