It is clear that the Honda CR-V is a hybrid SUV of the most conventional. The truth is It has very usable details and when we tried it we liked it for its comfort while walking, but we would never say that it had sporty connotations. Although we would never imagine that a prototype of the cutting of the Honda CR-V Hybrid Racer. It is a copy that anticipates the arrival of hybrid propulsion systems to the next 2024 season of the Indycar.
It will not be the car with which the Japanese brand is present in said competition, but it has its engine and serves as a true test laboratory. It has been made by the team of Honda Performance Development (HPD) in California and will be on tour in the coming months at some of the biggest Indycar GPs in the United States. Also will be seen by other events throughout 2023but it is difficult for us to see it in Europe, so we are going to tell you about its details.
The CR-V Hybrid Racer features the same hybrid powertrain that will be used in competition starting next year. It consists of a 2.2-liter twin-turbo V6 engine which is accompanied by an Empel electric block, a supercapacitor to store energy and a McLaren control unit. Note that it moves using Shell fuel and that it has a Xtrac six-speed transmission. Although many other modifications have been made to this specimen, as can be seen with the naked eye.
The bodywork is brand new and it is full of radical modifications. It is true that things from the standard CR-V are maintained, such as the windshield, the windows or the roof; but so far the similarities. A good number of panels are added so that the vehicle gains width and all kinds of carbon fiber aerodynamic elements as is the case of the front splitter, the rear spoiler or the diffuser. Even the doors have been modified to have a butterfly opening.
Other modifications that can be seen in this Honda CR-V Hybrid Racer are the 20 inch wheels, which are shod with Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 competition tires. Inside you can see some 380mm Brembo brakes that come from the Honda NSX GT3. The front suspension is also taken from that competition copy, while the rear is adapted directly from the Dallara IR-18 Indy car.
Photo gallery:
1/53Photos
