Honda has recently made headlines by successfully putting an IndyCar powertrain into a CR-V Hybrid. This unique build, known as the CR-V Hybrid Racer, was carried out by Honda Performance Development, the division responsible for Honda’s IndyCar engine program. It was completed at Honda’s North American Development Center in Ohio by a dedicated team of Honda employees known as the Honda of America Racing Team.
The main objective behind this project was to demonstrate that hybrid vehicles can be exhilarating and entertaining to drive. In addition, the CR-V Hybrid Racer serves as a mobile laboratory and testbed, providing valuable insights and data to Honda’s engineers. David Salters, the head of Honda Performance Development, explains that this initiative allows their engineers to showcase their skills without the constraints imposed by regulations guiding the racing industry.
Commonly referred to as the Beast, the CR-V Hybrid Racer is equipped with a turbocharged 2.2-liter V-6 engine, a Xtrac 6-speed sequential transmission, and rear suspension sourced from an IndyCar race car. The front suspension and steering, on the other hand, come from an Acura NSX GT3 race car. The front brakes are also from the NSX GT3, while the rear brakes are custom-made. All of these components are integrated into a custom-built frame, with the bodywork featuring a combination of stock 2023 CR-V and design elements inspired by DTM and Group B racing.
With an estimated peak power output of 800 horsepower, the CR-V Hybrid Racer utilizes a hybrid system that functions similarly to the push-to-pass system found in current IndyCars, but with electric power instead of turbo boost. This system enables the vehicle to deliver quick bursts of additional power and even allows for all-electric launches.
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The completion of the project took 14 months, with the volunteer build team dedicating their spare time, including nights and weekends, to bring the CR-V Hybrid Racer to life. One of the challenges they faced was integrating the existing CR-V sheetmetal, particularly in designing the rear clamshell section that unveils the IndyCar engine. The team experimented with different approaches, initially hinging it at the top before deciding to reverse it.
It is important to note that while the production version of the CR-V Hybrid will not adopt the IndyCar powertrain setup, Honda is working on a hybrid powertrain for IndyCar itself. The racing series plans to introduce hybrid powertrains starting from the 2024 season. This ambitious endeavor by Honda underscores their commitment to pushing the boundaries of hybrid technology and their continuous efforts to improve the performance and efficiency of their vehicles.
In conclusion, Honda’s transformation of the CR-V Hybrid into a high-performance racer demonstrates the potential of hybrids to deliver an exciting driving experience. By incorporating an IndyCar powertrain, Honda not only showcases the capabilities of their engineers but also utilizes the project as a platform for research and development. It is evident that Honda remains at the forefront of innovation in the automotive industry, consistently pushing the limits and exploring new possibilities to enhance their vehicles’ performance and efficiency.
