Energy-efficient vehicle design specialists Oaktec have been working on Honda’s IMA hybrid system for motorsports usage since 2004 and has recently signed on Lotus Engineering to be a part of a project funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency to develop a stage rally and circuit race version of the Honda Civic Hybrid.
No specs have been released on what upgrades have been made to the Civic Hybrid to make it motorsports-worthy, but Lotus says the Civic Hybrid’s CVT transmission allows the car to be driven in full power constantly, making performance very accessible.
The motorsports Civic Hybrid developed by Oaktec and Lotus will be raced for the first time at the Dunlop Max Sport Cup at the Rockingham circuit on the 28th of September 2008 so perhaps we will learn more about the car after the race. What we know now is that the electric motor has been revised for more power and there is now an upgraded control system to allow for more aggressive brake energy regeneration.
After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history. An avid electronic gadget aficionado as well as big-time coffee lover, he's also the executive producer of the Driven motoring TV programme.
waooo… hybrid rally car… interesting….
1st?
Meaning whenever it accelerate to certain rpm/ kmh it pumps petrol instead of electric? Well, it’s still basically running on petrol. Good thing was, Lotus was signed as part of this project? lol..Then very soon we’ll have our Waja Hybrid, Persona Hybrid..
I fail to see the benefits of this. (?)
Are they running out of new ideas to go racing with?
Hybrid Batteries packs are the 2nd most heavy powertrain component after the engine. Why would anyone go racing with a racing car saddled with a 50-100kg weight penalty is beyond me.
if it can win a race, will get good effect like audi’s diesel….though seriously i hope it doesn’t cause hybrids aren’t cool
It’s like taking drugs with herbal tea…
Next time those car goes into pit-stop is not to re-fuel. But to re-charge. Haha… It’ll be an endurance race and see who’se battery stand longer. Interesting!
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