Tiertex Design Studios

Honda Performance Development Unveils CR-V Hybrid Racer: "An INDYCAR Wolf in CR-V Clothing"

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 28, 2023

"This project vehicle is an INDYCAR 'beast' in Honda CR-V 'sheep's clothing'," said David Salters, president and technical director for Honda Performance Development, the North American racing arm of American Honda and Acura.

Key Points: 
  • "This project vehicle is an INDYCAR 'beast' in Honda CR-V 'sheep's clothing'," said David Salters, president and technical director for Honda Performance Development, the North American racing arm of American Honda and Acura.
  • Conceived and designed by the engineers at Honda Performance Development (HPD) in California and designers from the North America Auto Design Division (NAAD) of American Honda; then built at Honda Automotive Development Center (ADC) in Ohio by the Honda of America Racing Team (HART); the CR-V Hybrid Racer places a 2.2-liter twin-turbocharged, electrified Honda V6 INDYCAR power unit and transmission under 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid bodywork to create the "rolling laboratory" for the continued development of electrified technology by Honda and HPD.
  • The Chromoly steel tube chassis of the Honda CR-V Hybrid Racer is clothed in suitably "hybrid" bodywork designed by NAAD.
  • "The graphics were inspired by the hybrid powertrain, radiating from Honda Hybrid Blue to Honda Racing Red to symbolize the duality of the drivetrain," Melikian explained.