HONDA PERFORMANCE DEVELOPMENT UNVEILS CR-V HYBRID RACER: “AN INDYCAR WOLF IN CR-V CLOTHING”

February 28, 2023 — Markham, ON.

Demonstration vehicle combines HPD INDYCAR drivetrain, racing suspension,Firestone high-performance tires and Honda CR-V Hybrid bodywork

Features 2024 Honda INDYCAR hybrid power unit technology

CR-V Hybrid Racer to debut at Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

Will be on display and making on-track demonstrations at Honda Indy Toronto

While hybrid power units officially debut in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2024, race fans and car enthusiasts alike will be treated to a “sneak preview” of the incoming technology with the debut of the Honda CR-V Hybrid Racer at next month’s season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

“It’s kind of an INDYCAR ‘beast’ in Honda CR-V ‘sheep’s clothing’,” said David Salters, president and technical director for Honda Performance Development, the North American racing arm of American Honda and Acura. “This project is our ‘rolling electrified laboratory,’ to investigate where the talented men and women of HPD and Honda could go with electrification, hybrid technology and 100% renewable fuels. It epitomizes Honda’s fun-to-drive ethos, showcases electrification and it just rocks our car culture roots and racing heritage! We present the CR-V Hybrid Racer – aka ‘The HPD Beast’!”

Conceived and designed at Honda Performance Development (HPD) in California and built at Honda Automotive Development Center (ADC) in Ohio by the Honda of America Racing Team (HART) group at ADC, the CR-V Hybrid Racer places a 2.2-liter twin-turbocharged, electrified Honda V6 INDYCAR power unit and transmission under 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid bodywork to create the “rolling laboratory” for the continued development of electrified technology by Honda and HPD. The CR-V Hybrid Racer runs on Shell’s 100% renewable race fuel: and features world-leading Skeleton Supercapacitors and Empel MGU hybrid motor technology.

While under development, the project carried the appropriate code name “The Beast,” with looks reminiscent of the silhouette GT racing and Group B rally cars of the 1980s and ’90s. But the technology under the skin is strictly 21st century.

The Honda CR-V Hybrid Racer strengthens the connections between HPD, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and Honda passenger vehicles; creates additional awareness around the new INDYCAR hybrid powertrain coming in 2024; showcases the fun and power available from Honda electrified powertrains; and spotlights the innovation, creativity and capabilities of both Honda Performance Development and Honda Automotive Development Center.

Where to see the Honda CR-V Hybrid Racer

The Honda CR-V Hybrid Racer will make its public debut March 3-5 at the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Florida. The unique vehicle will be on display and making on-track demonstrations at multiple INDYCAR events, including the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach (April 14-16); the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix (April 28-30); the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio (June 30- July 2); the Honda Indy Toronto (July 14-16); the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix in Nashville (August 4-6); the Grand Prix of Portland (September 1-3); and the season-concluding Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey (September 8-10).

In addition to INDYCAR race weekends, the CR-V Hybrid Racer will make additional appearances at select media events throughout 2023.

Honda CR-V Hybrid Racer Specifications

Powertrain

Honda HI23TT 2.2-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 engine
Borg Warner EFR7163 turbochargers
McLaren Applied Technologies Tag 400i Engine Control Unit
Drive-by-wire controlled port throttle
Shell 100% renewable race fuel
Driver-activated Empel electric motor generator unit
Skelton super capacitor energy storage system
XTRAC six-speed transmission; Mega-Line Assisted paddle-shift
Chassis and Bodywork

Chromoly tube frame chassis
New, sixth generation Honda CR-V Hybrid bodywork from beltline up
Standard Honda CR-V Hybrid windshield and greenhouse
Custom carbon fiber lower bodywork incorporating flared fenders
Butterfly half-cut doors provide access for driver and passenger
Radiator adapted by HPD from the Dallara IR-18 Indy car
Clamshell rear bodywork to display power unit and drivetrain
Custom downforce-producing front splitter and rear wing
Suspension

Front suspension from HPD-developed Acura NSX GT-3 Evo22
Rear suspension adapted from Dallara IR-18 Indy car
Brembo 380mm front brakes from Acura NSX GT-3 Evo22
Brembo 355mm custom rear brakes adapted to Dallara IR-18 suspension
Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 Ultra-High Performance Summer Tires
Front tires 285/35-20; Rear tires a massive 305/35-20
2Elle Engineering 20×10.5 Front and 20×11 Rear two-piece alloy wheels
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About Honda Performance Development
Honda Performance Development, Inc. (HPD), has a rich heritage creating, manufacturing, and supporting Honda Racing and Acura Motorsports customers since 1993. From pinnacle racing in INDYCAR and IMSA Sports Cars to commercial racing programs, HPD powers the dreams of professional and amateur racers from age 4 to 40+. HPD is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., and leads all of the Honda and Acura high-performance racing programs in North America.

HPD specializes in the design and development of competition powertrains, chassis and performance parts, as well as technical and race support. HPD offers parts and race support to Honda and Acura amateur and professional motorsports racers and is continually expanding its palette of racing programs that make Honda racing products available to all racing styles, from karting and Quarter Midgets to the highest levels of pro racing.

Learn more at https://hpd.honda.com.