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Motorsport is changing. F1 engines are now supplemented by electricity, the quickest endurance sportscars are hybrid-powered, and there's even a dedicated single-seater race series for cars powered only by protons and electrons. One of the oldest petrolhead events in the world, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, even has a special Electric Modified section.
Honda has therefore decided to enter a new evolution of its 2015 Exhibition class-winning EV. The big change externally is that it now resembles the new NSX as opposed to the CR-Z, and it certainly looks the part with its mad aerodynamics. Now boasting three times more power than last year, the new machine further builds on Honda's catchily-named ''Super Handling All-Wheel Drive'' concept. This system aims to provide true torque vectoring capability, and along with the instantaneous torque provided by the four electric motors is sure to see the EV Concept fly up the hill. A huge advantage for the car is the fact that altitude will have no effect on power like it does on conventionally-powered entrants, so it will be interesting to see its performance relative to other competitors. Japanese racer Tetsuya Yamano has been entrusted with piloting the car, and hopes to build on his class win from last year.
This year sees the 100th anniversary of the Colorado event, and word on the street is that Kiwi driver Rhys Millen is aiming to take the overall win again in another EV, which allegedly boasts an output near 1190kW. While I'm as staunch a petrolhead as any, there's no denying that electric vehicles are starting to become seriously capable, both on the road and track...