Simon Pagenaud Will Drive 532hp Honda Minivan Up Pikes Peak

IndyCar Series driver Simon Pagenaud has received perhaps the most fun job ever this year at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. HondaHondaJapan, 1948 > present102 models
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has tapped him to drive its turbocharged Honda OdysseyHonda Odyssey US Gen.4United States of America, 2010 > present10 versions
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minivan up the hill at Pikes Peak.

The van uses its standard 3.5-liter V6 with an added Garrett turbocharger that bumps power to 532hp and 460lb-ft of torque. It gets a custom H&R competition suspension and Brembo brakes. The six-speed transmission and limited-slip differential come from an Acura TLAcura TL Gen.4Japan, 2009 > present22 versions
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. Honda Performance Development and Honda R&D Americas, Inc. built the car.

"I’ve done a little bit of rallying in France, and I used to watch highlights of the Pikes Peak race on television as a kid.  Our entry will be unique, to say the least!  A Honda Odyssey with power similar to an IndyCar will raise some eyebrows for sure! But with the preparation it is getting from Team Honda Research, it will be a proper race car, and I’m very excited about it," said Pagenaud. 

Honda is entering eleven factory-supported vehicles into this year's Pikes Peak rally in the car, motorcycle and ATV classes.

Pagenaud won the LMP2 class in the American Le Mans Series in 2010 and finished second overall in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with PeugeotPeugeot 908France, 2011 > present3 photos
in 2011. He won one of the two IndyCar Series races in Detroit on June 2 as well. 

The 91st Pikes Peak International Hill Climb will begin on June 30.