Fondly named the “rolling electrified laboratory” by Honda, the CR-V Hybrid Racer is something we have never witnessed from the brand.
The IndyCar series plans to introduce hybrid powertrains in the 2024 edition. Honda is a brand closely associated with the engineering side of racing, as it currently supplies five engines to IndyCar. Yes, we are arriving at the connection — for the 2024 season, IndyCar has tried its electrification strategy on an unsuspecting CR-V, and the results are indeed wild. We introduce you to the CR-V Hybrid Racer — a regular CR-V from Honda that hides a twin-turbo V6 and a supercapacitor under its hood, all thanks to IndyCar.
The output is astonishing, as the CR-V Hybrid Racer overperforms with a power output of around 800 hp. The powertrain steals the show — the 2.2-liter electrified V6 will feature in the next year’s IndyCar series and runs on a 100% renewable Shell fuel. The engine connects to an Xtrac six-speed paddle shift gearbox and a hybrid system that boasts an Empel electric motor and a supercapacitor from Skeleton Technologies.
One might doubt the capacity and endurance of the supercapacitor since it’s not designed to serve like a traditional battery. But these units are efficient and give the right energy boost for performance vehicles to gain the sweet lead they need. If you feel like you have heard of supercapacitors before, it’s because these units were used in the 2021 edition Lamborghini Sián.
David Salters, president and technical director for Honda Performance Development, describes the project in simple but exact terms — he says that the CR-V Hybrid Racer is “an IndyCar ‘beast’ in Honda CR-V ‘sheep’s clothing.” To be clear, the production variant of the CR-V Hybrid and the Racer variant do not have anything in common, if not for the similar shape. The Racer comes with a Chromoly steel tube chassis comprising a steel body at the top and a carbon-composite construction at the bottom.
The eye-catching look of the CR-V Hybrid Racer is inspired by the 1980s Group B rally cars, says Honda. With the Hybrid Racer set to debut during the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg event this weekend, it will soon feature in many upcoming IndyCar events this year.
Gallery: Honda CR-V Hybrid Racer
