Honda to race new Civic Type R in the 2015 BTCC
Honda has announced it will race the new Civic Type R in the 2015 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season.
Scheduled to be officially unveiled at Donington on Tuesday 24 March, the new car has been designed and built from the ground up in the Team Dynamics workshops in Pershore, Worcestershire.
Based on the production version of the new Civic Type R, which is due to hit dealerships in July, the race version will develop 350bhp with 400Nm of torque. Team Honda Yuasa Racing started designing the car last September with the build beginning in November, working in close conjunction with Honda UK manufacturing in Swindon.
By building on the existing road car, which was sourced direct from the Honda UK factory in Swindon, the team has produced a car with increased down force, less drag and a more effective air flow management compared to last year's Tourer.
Barry Plowman, technical director at Honda Yuasa Racing, said: "We cannot wait for the new season to start. Our car for 2015 is going to win races. The shape of the new road going Civic Type R has allowed the team to build on the design and take it forward to be a championship-winning car.
"2015 is widely being billed as the year Honda is back and we are continuing that in to BTCC. We've worked hard over the winter to ensure we have a winning car for 2015."
The announcement follows the team's recent confirmation that Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal will form the driver line-up for the sixth consecutive season.
Matt Neal said: "This is a car that not just us, but the entire automotive industry has been waiting for. We are as excited as anybody to start running the Civic Type R, which is a massive step forward from last year's Tourer from the engine to the handling and aerodynamics."
Gordon Shedden added: "The Civic Type R is an iconic car. "We are champing at the bit to get this distinctive, aggressive looking car out on the track. It's going to stand out and cause a real stir on the track. Especially when we clean up in the championship!"