HONDA

CR-V Hybrid Racer: a brutal competition car with an SUV look

The Honda CR-V Hybrid Racer is a brutal competition car with an SUV look that is actually a one-off, created as a 'laboratory on wheels' by the Honda Performance Development (HPD) department, which can only be seen at certain IndyCar events this year.

Although it is inspired by the series Honda CR-V, it is a competition creation based on a tubular chassis, with body panels that are exactly reminiscent of the sixth generation SUV that we can find in the Japanese brand's dealerships, although this one has a monstrous rear spoiler.

The rear doors of this CR-V do not open, or at least not as we might expect, as they are part of the hinged rear shell, which opens backwards and exposes the engine, located right where the rear seat should be, as well as the 6-speed X-Trac transmission.

The engine in question is a 2.2-liter V6 biturbo block from Honda developed for IndyCar, which advances what is to come in this competition, in addition, it is electrified. According to Honda Performance Development, it offers a combined power of 800 hp, and instead of batteries, the system has super-capacitors, the same solution that is used, for example, by Lamborghini.

“The specific reason why it has super-capacitors is the power”, explained David Salters, CEO of HPD, during an event with the press, assuring that the purpose of the car is to know the possibilities offered by this technology and to be able to apply it in the future in its racing cars, but for now the brand does not plan to take this CR-V to any competition.

The model inherits the front suspension and Brembo brakes from the Honda NSX GT3, while at the rear the suspension is from the Dallara IR-18 Indy, with disc brakes also Brembo. As for the tires, they measure 285/35 at the front and 305/35 at the back, on 20-inch wheels, wider at the rear.

The large rear spoiler works alongside the front splitter, generating a large aerodynamic load, although the Japanese manufacturer has not detailed the car's performance. In any case, we can dare to say that it should be pretty quick.

All those fans who want to see this Honda creation will be able to do so in several IndyCar events of this 2023 season, where the brand will exhibit the model, starting with the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Florida, on the 3rd of March.

Autonews