MSR Acura Wins Rolex 24 Again as Proton Grabs LMP2, AWA Takes LMP3

Historically, the endurance racing season kicks off with the most legendary race in history, the Rolex 24 at Daytona. This year’s event marked the triumphant racing debut for the electrified Acura ARX-06 prototype sports motorcar, the second monumental win at Daytona for the Meyer Shank Racing team, and the third straight Rolex 24 victory for Acura.

GTP Class

Previously, the top-tier class in the IMSA SportsCar Championship was known as the DPI class. However, with the latest fastest cars, it’s now called the Grand Touring Prototype. The nine new entries include automobiles like Porsche, Cadillac, Acura, and BMW. And it also commemorated the return of Porsche to the most elevated level of endurance racing, which turned out to be a pretty sweet deal for the brand. Acura was on a mission to claim the Rolex 24 title, the third time in a row with its new ARX-06. They were marginally ahead of the all-new 963, Porsche, followed by Wayne Taylor Racing in another Acura ARX-06, leaving the Cadillac at 4th and 5th position.

LMP2 Class

This category is related to a Formula class, with all the cars having similar chassis and engines. The battle in the LMP2 class was even closer, with only 10 cars on the field. Ben Keating in the PR1/Mathiasen Motorsport won the race, with two TDS Racing cars behind and AF Corse coming in 4th position.

LMP3 Class

LMP3 class is a scaled-down version of the LMP2 class with lesser speed and performance. Sean Creech Motorsports team scored the fastest lap time in Rolex 24 endurance racing, with Andretti Autosport and Performance Tech Motorsports cutting in behind the 2nd and 3rd posts.

GTD Class

The GTD class is split into a GTD Pro and GTD subcategory, in which GTD Pro is reserved for factory-backed racing teams, whereas new drivers can participate in the GTD subcategory. With only four seconds difference, the Mercedes AMG GT3 by WeatherTech Racing beats Corvette Racing in the Chevrolet Corvette C8.R GTD in the GTD Pro class.

Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX – The Future Is Here

While many concept cars come and go, very few of them ever go beyond the prototyping stage and even fewer hit the road. That’s exactly what makes Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX stand out from the herd. The Vision EQXX made its premiere at CES in January in Las Vegas, where the German car brand claimed it would show off its technological foresight and prowess in the field of electric vehicles.

The Exterior Design

With a low leading edge, a short bonnet, shapely fenders, and wide wheelhouses, the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX’s front leans towards a more sports car-like appearance. In the latest model, the digital LED headlights are joined by a full-width LED light bar, and the iconic Mercedes grille is replaced with a star pattern incorporated into the front bumper. Mercedes’ logo is stenciled onto the hood to reduce weight and maintain maximum aerodynamic effectiveness. Additionally, Mercedes has added ninth-generation external mirrors and advanced aerodynamic wheels to the EQXX.

The Interior Design

The interior layout of the car puts simplicity and elegance into focus with only a few modules. This is demonstrated by the absence of complex geometries and the seamless incorporation of lightweight structures into the interior design aesthetic. The enormous 47.5-inch seamless display that fills the width of the dashboard is what will first catch your eye when you peep inside. Mercedes has also made a significant effort to use eco-friendly materials throughout the interior. These materials include a silk-like fabric manufactured from Biosteel fiber, vegan leather made from fibers found in mushrooms or cacti, and carpets woven from bamboo.

Going Beyond the Limits

Aside from the car’s slick shape and lightweight design, its claimed powertrain efficiency of 95 percent also contributes to its impressive range. Additionally, the latest EQXX model comfortably coasts on flat ground without losing speed, thanks to reduced mechanical and aerodynamic resistance.