The reporter didn’t disclose a lot of details but did mention the electrified prototype is coming with… lights. The track is always lit anyway, so a lighting system is an interesting addition. This could suggest that the EV will be off the track in some capacity, perhaps at events where it could showcase the performance capabilities of an electrified powertrain. Or it may be showcased at endurance races as it builds up hyper, similar to the Camaro that raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans last year.
The prototype is expected to take the form of a crossover, marking a distinct departure from current NASCAR racers, which emulate sedans or, in certain classes, trucks. But it won’t look like your daily family crossover. Thanks to leaked images, we’ve seen it will still ride low to the ground, and a giant rear wing is something you’d never find on your roadgoing Toyota RAV4. The concept of a crossover as a race car may sound unappealing, but when Honda showcased a race-spec crossover in the form of an 800-horsepower CR-V, it wasn’t bad at all.