Earlier this week, Honda gave us a glimpse at its new direct-injected 1.6-liter turbo-four slated for its World Touring Car Championship Civic. The Japanese automaker has taken the WTCC Civic testing and given us a look at the new racer’s body.
The 2012 WTCC Civic is unsurprisingly based on the all-new 2012 Civic hatchback. The race car carries over the production-spec’s sinister front fascia, complete with projector headlights and blacked-out grille, but amplifies the aggressive look with a wild black/white/red paint job, flared wheel arches, and large rear wing. Honda performed extensive wind tunnel testing to whittle down the WTCC’s aerodynamic drag.
Powering the WTCC Civic is a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder utilizing direct injection that fully conforms to FIA regulations for WTCC racing. It will debut for the 2013 season at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan this October. Piloting the new Honda racer will be Gabriele Tarquini and Tiago Monteiro.
“To see the finished Civic finally on the race track is an extremely emotional moment for the whole team. I am so proud of everyone involved,” said Alessandro Mariani, the team principal of Honda Racing Team JAS. “They have managed to accomplish so much in such a short period of time. Everyone has been working tirelessly for this day to happen and the new car and engine are no less than our expectations.”
Honda has completed initial testing at the Vallelunga circuit, near Rome, Italy and at Vairano circuit near the car’s factory in Milan. The team will continue testing the car throughout the summer, led by Tarquini, who was the WTCC champion in 2009.
Source: Honda
