What's all this about?
After an unbranded version was seen pounding around Brands Hatch, Honda Yuasa Racing (HYR) has confirmed that it will be running Civic Type Rs (CTR) in this year's British Touring Car Championship.
Excellent, does that mean the end of the daft Tourer?
Yes, it does, although we quite like racing estates, we'll have you know. However, the Next-Generation Touring Car (NGTC) Civic Tourer didn't exactly cover itself in glory in 2014, winning just four races in the hands of three-time drivers' champion Matt Neal and 2012 champ Gordon Shedden (and 'Flash' Gordon won three of those). HYR says the CTR has more downforce, less drag and more effective airflow management than the Tourer, so it should be much more competitive..
What are its specs like?
It is also an NGTC vehicle, making around 355hp and 400Nm in race trim; torque is therefore the same as the road car but power is up from 310hp. The BTCC CTR is designed and built from the ground up in the Team Dynamics workshop in Pershore, Worcestershire, with the base cars sourced direct from the Honda factory in Swindon, where all Type Rs will be made.
Does this make any difference to recent announcements about the road-going CTR?
No, although genuine, credible motorsport links always add a halo effect to any performance motor, while the 'R' of Type R does stand for 'racing'. Also, the UK pricing of the CTR has been confirmed - the entry-level model dips under the £30k mark at £29,995, while the GT version (much more spec and predicted to be the big seller) commands a £2,300 premium, retailing at £32,295.
Matt Robinson - 17 Mar 2015