Honda is popping the CR-V Hybrid into an 800-hp race automotive. The finished venture automobile, merely dubbed Honda CR-V Hybrid Racer, shall be revealed on February 28.
Teaser photographs launched by Honda trace at a automobile that solely bears a superficial resemblance to the road-going CR-V Hybrid. Your complete rear part of the physique—together with the hatch and rear doorways—lifts up as one clamshell part, whereas the motive force enters and exits by way of what seem like Lamborghini-style scissor doorways.
2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid Racer
Typical racing modifications may be glimpsed as nicely, together with a large rear wing, and a fancy aero association for the entrance bumper. There additionally seem like air intakes within the physique sides, suggesting a mid-engine configuration.
The CR-V Hybrid Racer is a joint venture of Honda’s North American R&D and design workplaces, in addition to Honda Efficiency Growth (HPD), the outfit answerable for all Honda and Acura racing packages for North America, together with the Honda IndyCar and Acura IMSA sports-car packages, in addition to the Honda Ridgeline desert race truck.
Honda redesigned the CR-V for the 2023 mannequin 12 months, marking the favored crossover’s sixth technology. The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid, which began manufacturing in Ohio in October 2022, is generally powered by a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle inline-4 working with Honda’s two-motor hybrid system. Output from the manufacturing unit is 204 hp.
The CR-V Hybrid might not look like the best foundation for a race automotive, however Honda is keen to advertise this mannequin, seeing elevated hybrid gross sales as a step towards better electrification. Starting with the 2023 mannequin 12 months, Honda goals to make hybrids 50% of CR-V gross sales within the U.S. It is step one in a gradual electrification technique that can see the launch of the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX electrical SUVs, in addition to a CR-V powered by hydrogen gas cells, in 2024, adopted by the primary EVs for the Sony-backed Afeela model in 2025.