Set to run alongside the Chevrolet Cruze, BMW 320i, Volvo C30 and Seat Leon in the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), Honda has announced the Civic will also enter the highly competitive series this year.
“We have made a decision,” said Takanobu Ito from Honda, “to enter the WTCC with the European Civic. We will develop a totally new engine for the project and we are excited about this new challenge.”
For this project, Honda has formed a partnership with Mugen and JAS Motorsport. Honda R&D is developing the bespoke racing engine, while Mugen will manufacture and maintain the motor. JAS Motorsport will develop the racecar itself, using the new Honda Civic five-door model that is produced in Swindon (UK).
The engine will be a 1.6-liter four-cylinder direct-injection turbo engine, developed in accordance with FIA’s Super 2000 regulations.
Honda’s ambition is to join the WTCC this season in selected races. Discussions are currently underway with the FIA, but the rounds would include Japan (on October 21, 2012 at Honda’s Suzuka circuit), followed by China and Macau. Honda will then enter a two-car team, managed by JAS Motorsport, in every race of the 2013 season.