Together, the K20 and electric motor make for a 600 horsepower hybrid drivetrain similar in spirit to the one found in Honda’s own NSX. The car is fully functional, and was shown to be so on an autocross course that had been set up in a Clemson parking lot for the event. The Civic is able to run both as an all-wheel-drive hybrid, or as a front drive electric vehicle.

Robert Prucka, a Motor Sports Engineering professor at CU-ICAR told the Clemson Newstand, “Our program requires students to make highly technical decisions quickly while also keeping the top-level project goals such as safety, performance, customer usability and compressed deadlines in mind. Designing, building and testing a fully functional vehicle of this level gives our students the perspective, skills and hands-on experience that allows them to seamlessly transition into the workforce.”

After this successful project, Clemson is already planning Deep Orange 10, which will be an autonomous vehicle developed in conjunction with Ford.