Video: Hybrid Honda CR-V ‘Beast’ race car with 600kW revealed

The new Honda CR-V has been turned into a race car – complete with a twin-turbo V6 engine and one of the world’s most advanced hybrid systems.

The North American division of Honda has unveiled its CR-V ‘Hybrid Racer’ – combining the new looks of its popular SUV with technology from its racing programs.

After teasing the vehicle earlier this week, Honda Performance Development (HPD) – the car-maker’s US racing division – took the covers off its radical CR-V and shared more details about what it calls the ‘HPD Beast’.

As previously reported by Drive, the CR-V’s petrol power comes from a 2.2-litre twin-turbo V6 which Honda produces for the North American IndyCar open-wheel racing series – the same engine which has won eight Indy 500s winners and four championships since 2012.

According to Honda, the engine runs on ‘100 per cent renewable’ racing fuel made by oil giant Shell, rather than the 85 per cent ethanol blend which IndyCar mandates for all teams.

In an IndyCar, the engine can produce up to 560kW in its qualifying mode, but the addition of a hybrid system means this Honda CR-V racer can make as much as 600kW.

The V6 engine is fitted with a Formula One-style electric ‘motor generator unit’ (MGU) which provides the power boost straight to the engine, though Honda did not specify whether it is installed on the turbochargers or crankshaft.

While electric motors are conventionally powered by batteries, Honda has equipped its CR-V race car with supercapacitors – a technology which has been previously used by Lamborghini.

Unlike a conventional battery, which is designed to store large amounts of energy and discharge it more gradually, a supercapacitor relies on electrostatics to discharge its power more rapidly.

Drive is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed gearbox which is operated by paddle shifters on the car’s steering wheel (also taken from an IndyCar), while the 20-inch wheels are wrapped in Firestone ‘Firehawk Indy 500’ tyres – sold in Australia as the Bridgestone Potenza RE003.

Both the petrol engine and its hybrid system are fitted behind the driver in a steel tube chassis which incorporates rear suspension components from an IndyCar, while the occupants are protected by a roll cage and racing seats in the cabin.

On the outside, the new-look Honda CR-V’s design has been modified and enhanced with huge aerodynamic parts, carbon fibre and lightweight bodywork.

Despite its extreme appearance, Honda claims the hybrid race car retains the CR-V’s steel body, including the glass windshield, windows and even the sunroof.

According to Honda, the HPD Beast will be shown at various IndyCar rounds throughout the year as well as making “additional appearances at select events throughout 2023” – but it is not clear whether it will ever be driven on a race track in a competitive environment.

The post Video: Hybrid Honda CR-V ‘Beast’ race car with 600kW revealed appeared first on Drive.