Honda Performance Development delivers 800 horsepower CR-V
The electrification of transport also affects the field of motor racing. F1, endurance racing and several racing series now require the use of hybrid systems in vehicle construction. A few weeks ago, Cadillac unveiled its hybrid endurance racing car to meet new technical standards. It is now up to the team to Honda Performance Development (HPD) to unveil an experimental vehicle that could compete in the racing series Indycar.
A frenzied Honda CR-V
In honor of the angel of darkness, the Honda CR-V Hybrid HPD was nicknamed “The Beast”. For what? Simply because this vehicle is evil. Developed and engineered in California, The Beast is hardly a typical Honda CR-V hybrid. In fact, all of its mechanical ingredients have been modified by the Honda Performance Development team.
A 2.2-liter V6 engine replaces the 4-cylinder in the civilian version of the compact SUV. Same thing for the electric motor which is replaced by a more efficient motor powered by a supercapacitor from Skeleton Technologies, a company specializing in the field. The vehicle’s energy is transmitted to the 4 wheels through a 6-speed XTRAC gearbox specially developed for the Indycar series. To power the V6 engine, Honda will use a renewable fuel developed by Shell. By combining each ingredient, The Beast promises to produce 800 horsepower. However, no details have been released regarding the vehicle’s acceleration time or torque.
A unique look
The design of the vehicle shares some visual elements with the regular version of the CR-V. To be honest, it’s a hybrid design between a completely custom-made part and a part borrowed directly from the commercial CR-V. The upper part of the vehicle uses the steel body from the 6e generation of the Honda CR-V. The windshield, windows and sunroof are very similar to the vehicle that we can see on the roads of Quebec. Conversely, the tubular chassis, gullwing doors, huge spoiler, lowered suspension and Brembo brake system are all bespoke. Moreover, the lower part of the body is made of carbon composite to lighten the weight of the vehicle.
The colors chosen to embellish the body represent the fusion of the two sources of energy used to propel the vehicle. Blue, in reference to the electric side, and red, which recalls the power of the V6 under the hood. The stylists of The Beast do not hide it, the objective was to give a look reminiscent of rally cars from the 80s to 90s while incorporating the silhouette of Grand Touring racing vehicles.
That said, it will be possible to see the Honda CR-V racing hybrid developed by Honda Performance Development during the year 2023. The vehicle will touch down on Canadian soil from July 14 to 16 during the Indy Toronto. For the impatient, The Beast will make its very first debut as a demonstration vehicle from March 3 to 5 at the opening event of the Indy Car racing season in St. Petersburg, Florida.
