Honda Is Taking On The Pikes Peak Hill Climb With Hydrogen Power

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Honda has a long history of sustainable racing at Pikes Peak that dates all the way back to 1994 with an EV-converted Civic wagon. Since that time, the Japanese automaker has continued to make appearances to test its renewable fuel solutions on the twisting mountain circuit, such that one of its latest efforts in a four-motor Honda NSX concept nearly broke the 9-minute mark. For this year's run, however, Honda is attempting something new altogether: using hydrogen power to take on the Pikes Peak Hill Climb.

Honda

Divisions Acura, Honda Motorcycles, Honda Racing, HondaJet

Founded 1948

Founder Soichiro Honda

Headquarters Tokyo, Japan

Expand Collapse

A CR‑V Will Be The First Hydrogen Racer

Close

Honda says the car in question -- the CR‑V e:FCEV -- will be the first hydrogen-powered vehicle to compete at Pikes Peak, which makes for a significant accomplishment given the many experimental hill climb race cars to have made an appearance over the years. Former class-winner, two-time Formula Drift champion, and HRC driver Dai Yoshihara will be at the helm, using all of his expertise to tackle the perilous 156-turn course.

While some other manufacturers, like Ford, are pulling out all the stops with purpose-built Pikes race cars, Honda is actually keeping things pretty conservative in the case of its CR-V e:FCEV. Along with lowering the suspension by one inch, fitting some racing brake pads, and a set of lightweight 18-inch wheels wrapped in Yokohama Advan A052 tires, Honda's American Race Team also equipped the car with a competition seat and an interior roll-cage. Otherwise, however, it's a stock crossover.

Related

This 2.0-Liter Hydrogen Engine Could Be Motorsport's Green Future

Could hydrogen, and not electric, be the way forward for motorsports in the future?

Posts

To account for its hydrogen fueling during the event, Honda will be tapping Zero Emission Industries for the use of its FTcase. Unlike other hydrogen-powered cells, the company's refueling solution is portable (barely larger than carry-on luggage) and can be handled safely even by non-professionals.

The Hill Climb Is Heating Up This Year

If you've been following the entry announcements for Pikes Peak this year, you'll know that there are some exciting competitors to keep an eye on. For instance, having taken the King of the Mountain in its F-150 Lightning and SuperVan 4 demonstrators, Ford will once again be fielding an electric vehicle in the Super Mustang Mach-E. With Romain Dumas behind the wheel, the Blue Oval is bringing some big firepower to ensure that the hill climb goes off without a hitch.

Related

Ford Just Revealed A Super Mustang, Promises Insane Performance

Is this the next electric muscle king? Super Mach-E spotted in camo.

Posts 1

And that's not all; among the many other amazing vehicles to tackle Pikes Peak, you'll find everything from GT4 mainstays, like the Mustang GT4 and the Porsche 718 GT4, to old-school open-class competitors such as the Audi Quattro. As is to be expected, there will be plenty of rookies looking to make their mark during their first appearance, and even YouTubers like Emilia Hartford are hoping to race their way to hill climb glory.