- CR-V will be the first hydrogen car to compete at Pikes Peak
- Based on production car, with the powertrian unchanged for the run
- Honda has a long history of zero-emissions racing at the famous hillclimb
Exotic it's not, but the Honda CR-V will be the first hydrogen-powered vehicle to compete at the legendary "Race to the Clouds", The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb brought to you by Gran Turismo, on June 22.
The production CR-V e:FCEV will compete in the Exhibition Class without modifications to its zero-emissions powertrain, which includes the second-generation Honda fuel cell system: a front-mounted single-motor, 17.7kWh battery pack, and two high-pressure hydrogen tanks.
Prepped by Honda of America Race Team (HART), Honda R&D Japan, and Honda Racing Corporation USA, the CR-V e:FCEV will take on the 156-turn, 12.42-mile (approx 20km) mountain course on June 22, driven by Pikes Peak class-winner, two-time Formula Drift champion, and HRC US driver Dai Yoshihara.
The CR-V e:FCEV is hand-built at the Honda Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio, and is the only fuel cell electric passenger vehicle made in America; it's also the first to pair hydrogen fuel cell with plug-in hybrid technology.
For competition, the only modifications from stock are 25mm-lowered suspension, racing brake pads, light weight 18-inch wheels and 265/45R18 Yokohama Advan A052 tires. HART has also equipped the CR-V e:FCEV with a racing seat and safety cage.
Hydrogen fueling will be provided by Zero Emission Industries (ZEI) during the event. The company’s new FTcase, a portable hydrogen refueling solution barely larger than carry-on luggage, can transform any gaseous hydrogen supply into a fueling station.
Known as the Race to the Clouds due to the 14,115-foot summit in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is one of America's longest running motorsports competitions.
Honda's eco-history at Pikes Peak
Honda has a history of zero-emissions competition at Pikes Peak, dating back to 1994 when the company entered into the first-ever “EV Class”. That year, driver Katy Endicott propelled an EV-converted Honda Civic wagon to a 1st place finish in the EV Class (15:44.7).
Five years later, Honda again entered the EV Class with a race-prepared EV Plus, and again took first in the class (15:19.9). In 2014, an all-electric Honda Fit won the EV-Class, and also set a new race record for an EV (12:55.6).
In 2015, a four-motor EV concept based on the Honda CR-Z placed first in the Exhibition Class with a 10:23.8 run time. Honda further improved the four-motor EV technology for 2016, where the NSX-bodied concept came close to breaking the 9-minute barrier (9:06.1).
The Honda CR-V e:FCEV
The CR-V e:FCEV combines an American-made fuel cell system with plug-in charging capability designed to provide nearly 50km of EV driving around town, with the flexibility of fast hydrogen refueling for longer trips. It's currently available for customer lease in California.
