What is an HPD car?
An HPD car is a race car or performance machine associated with Honda Performance Development, the U.S.-based motorsports division of Honda. It typically refers to race cars and engines built or supported by HPD for competition, rather than a standard production model.
What HPD is and how it operates
Honda Performance Development (HPD) serves as Honda’s North American motorsports arm, coordinating engineering, race programs, and technical support for Honda and Acura racing efforts. While HPD has roots in elite race programs, its influence extends to both professional competition and, in some cases, performance parts developed for track-use street cars.
Key roles of HPD
The following list outlines the core activities HPD undertakes to support Honda/Acura racing in North America.
- Engine development and production for major series (notably IndyCar) and race platforms.
- Chassis and performance parts development, integration with race regulations, and technical support for teams.
- Factory-backed race programs and customer racing support, including data, logistics, and parts supply.
- R&D and technology transfer between racing programs and road-going Honda/Acura models.
- World-class engineering services and performance tuning tailored to specific series rules and race formats.
HPD’s activities shape how Honda/Acura cars perform on tracks in the U.S. and influence technology that sometimes makes its way into production models.
Notable HPD-powered programs and cars
HPD has been involved in several high-profile racing efforts. The following examples illustrate how HPD-backed engineering powers competition across major series.
- IndyCar engine program: HPD designs and builds the Honda Indy V6 turbo engines used by Honda-powered teams in the IndyCar Series, a cornerstone of Honda’s U.S. motorsports presence since the early 2010s.
- IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (DPi era): The Acura ARX-05, an HPD-engine-backed Daytona Prototype International racer, competes for Acura in IMSA, with teams such as Wayne Taylor Racing achieving championships and race wins.
- GT racing and customer support: HPD provides engineering input and race-part support for Acura NSX GT3 programs used by customer teams in GT3-sanctioned events around the world.
In each case, the HPD badge signals a close collaboration between Honda’s factory engineering and the race team, aligning on performance, reliability, and compliance with series rules.
How to identify an HPD-powered car on track
Fans looking at a Honda/Acura race car on a circuit can look for branding cues and the technical context. HPD-powered entries typically carry HPD or Acura branding and may feature engines or engineering badges associated with Honda Performance Development. In IndyCar, the distinctive Honda Indy V6 engine—developed and maintained by HPD—helps distinguish Honda-powered cars from the field.
Concluding: The HPD designation marks the car as part of Honda’s formal competition program, rather than a standard street-model offering.
Summary
HPD stands for Honda Performance Development, the U.S. motorsports arm of Honda. An HPD car is a race car or engine-backed vehicle built, tuned, or supported by HPD for competition in series like IndyCar and IMSA. HPD’s work includes engine development, chassis and performance parts, and factory-backed or customer racing programs, linking Honda’s engineering prowess from the track to the road. While there isn’t a single generic “HPD car” model, HPD-backed machines are a core part of Honda/Acura’s racing identity in North America.
