Most people know Honda for its sturdy sedans and family-friendly SUV’s. But many people are surprised to learn that Honda is also a major player in the auto racing world.
In fact, the very first car Honda built in 1963 was a sports car, proof that the corporation and its founder — Soichiro Honda — had a need for speed from day one.
The Honda Performance Development, Inc. (HDP) was founded in 1993 and is based in Santa Clarita, California. The HDP specializes in the research, design, and development of racing engines and high-performance parts for open-wheel, sports car, and grassroots racing.
Honda racing was on full display at the 2016 Indianapolis 500, where 17 of the 33 total drivers took to the starting line in a Honda racecar including the winner, Alexander Rossi. In fact, Rossi’s victory made it 11 of the last 13 years in which the winning car has sported a Honda engine under the hood.
Honda Enthusiasts, Start Your Engines
You may not be able to get behind the wheel of a Honda race car and hit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for some laps, but there are plenty of Honda models that can more than satisfy your need for speed.
Perhaps Honda’s fastest car for everyday drivers was the NSX Type-R, or better known to American drivers as the Acura NSX. The first generation of this Honda had 280 horsepower and reached a top speed of 168 MPH.
The Honda Accord Coupe EX-L features a 3.5-liter V6 engine that spits out 278 horsepower and is the fastest car in Honda’s current lineup.
In addition to rolling some fast cars off the assembly line, the HDP’s two decades of experience designing products for the track has made its way onto the streets, with many of the department’s performance features now showing up in Honda’s everyday inventory.
The Honda Performance Development team designs a number of racing-inspired accessories as part of the Honda Racing Line. These include sport suspension kits, superchargers, spoilers, clutches, sport exhaust systems and more designed for Formula, KART, Rally, Touring and Quarter Midget racing.
For more information about Honda’s performance-oriented vehicles, parts and accessories, visit your local Honda dealership. If you live near Asheboro, North Carolina, the friendly and knowledgeable associates at Asheboro Honda are always ready to talk shop. Check out our inventory of Honda’s online or stop in to to see us and take one out for a test drive today.
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