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The 2026 edition of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is fast approaching, and Acura is preparing to make another run at setting a new record on the iconic mountain course.

Over the past five years, Honda’s premium division has renewed its focus on performance, with the Acura Integra Type S taking the spotlight as a serious sport sedan. With such strong engineering capabilities under its belt, it’s no surprise that Acura is pushing its limits in motorsport once again, and this time, its attention is on Pikes Peak. The Japanese manufacturer will field the Acura Integra Type S DE5 race car at the event this year, with Pikes Peak winner, two-time Formula Drift champion, and HRC US driver Dai Yoshihara piloting the machine.

According to Acura, “Motorsports is a vital demonstration of Acura Precision Crafted Performance, including the brand’s efforts at Pikes Peak. This marks the 16th consecutive year that Acura has competed at the legendary event, with the team achieving an impressive 12 first-place finishes in various divisions, more than 30 podiums, and multiple course records.”

The build of the Integra Type S has been handled by Honda Racing Corporation, which developed the car for multiple touring car championships and offers it for sale directly to professional racers. At its core lies a tuned 2.0-litre turbocharged engine optimized for high-altitude driving, featuring a high-flow intake system, upgraded charge pipe kit, and a lightweight tube-and-fin intercooler from PRL Motorsports. Additional upgrades include a revised suspension setup, Yokohama Advan A005 tyres, and a Honda-engineered roll cage, all contributing to the car’s competitive edge.

However, Acura’s mission in Colorado is not primarily about battling rival manufacturers. Instead, it’s aiming to surpass its own benchmark — the current front-wheel-drive course record of 10:48.094, established in 2018 by Acura engineer and Pikes Peak veteran Nick Robinson in a 500-horsepower Acura TLX. This time, the 360-horsepower Integra Type S hill climb car is ready to challenge that record.

This is not the brand’s first attempt to break its own record. Last year, Katherine Legge took on the demanding 12.42-mile course, climbing nearly 5,000 feet of elevation in a previous version of the Integra Type S race car, but fell short of the goal. For 2026, Dai Yoshihara will bring his extensive Pikes Peak experience to the 14,115-foot summit. Yoshihara has competed at Pikes Peak every year since 2020, when he secured first place in the Unlimited Class. The accomplished Japanese driver also holds a Formula Drift championship and has raced in prestigious series such as the Lamborghini Super Trofeo. Whether Acura manages to claim a new front-wheel-drive record remains to be seen, but the appeal of the factory-built Integra Type S race car is undeniable.