Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cars
  3. News

Ain’t no mountain high enough: Honda reaches for Pikes Peak

Stephen Edelstein
By

Honda ARX-04b
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Rules and regulations usually constrict the variety of the cars you’ll see in most forms of motorsport, but that’s not the case with the annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

Held every year on the Colorado mountain that is its namesake, the “Race to the Clouds” is one of the most challenging motorsport events around. It features 156 curves over 12.42 miles and 4,000 feet of elevation. The finish line is at 14,110 feet – nearly 3 miles above sea level.

Recommended Videos

And the field of cars is almost as spectacularly varied as the course itself is treacherous. You can see everything from lightly-modified production models to purpose-built racers gunning for the top.

Related

Honda’s recent efforts to conquer the hill are a case in point. In the last few years, the Japanese carmaker has fielded everything from a Fit EV electric car to a tuned version of its Odyssey minivan, and this year it’s entering a car designed for a completely different type of racing.

The Honda ARX-04b is an LMP2-class coupe designed for endurance racing on much flatter terrain. The car Honda plans to enter spends most of its time in the Tudor United SportsCar Championship, debuting at the 24 Hours of Daytona back in January.

Going twice around the clock on a conventional road course is no easy task, but Pikes Peak presents its own challenges. A miscalculation could send the driver plummeting off a cliff, and as the car climbs higher, it makes less power because of the thinner air.

That will put a lot of strain on the ARX-04b’s 3.5-liter V6, which is derived from the engine used in numerous Honda and Acura production models.

In years past, the unpaved Pikes Peak course was dominated by custom-built buggies that often looked like a cross between a rally car and something out of Mad Max. Now, however, the course is almost entirely paved, opening the door for sports car-style racers like the Honda.

Honda calls the 2015 attempt an “exploratory effort,” ahead of a full-on assault on the overall record of 8:13.878, set by World Rally Champion Sebastian Loeb in 2013. Loeb drove a Peugeot 208 T16, a custom-built machine based loosely on Peugeot’s 208 hatchback.

Will Honda be able to do better with its repurposed endurance racer? Check out the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on June 28 to find out.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Stephen Edelstein
Stephen Edelstein
Contributing Editor
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more
Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs
Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?
The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.

Read more