Looks like factory teams are getting back into WTCC?

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97283

 

Badass. Are they on the new unified chassis or is that only a btcc thing?

 

Very very nice.. if only they would sell that car here...

 

So they are running an older BTCC chassis in WTCC?

 

Honda today announced that the Honda Civic will race in the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC).

"We have made a decision" said Honda CEO, Takanobu Ito "to enter into the WTCC with the European Civic. We will develop a totally new engine for this project and we are all excited about starting this new challenge."

For this project, Honda has formed a joint partnership with Mugen and J.A.S. Motorsport. Mugen will manufacture a bespoke racing engine developed by Honda R&D and will maintain the engine in every race along with the team. J.A.S. Motorsport will develop the race car, using the new Honda Civic 5door produced in Honda's manufacturing plant located in Swindon (UK).

The racing engine is a 1.6 litre 4 cylinder direct injection turbo-charged petrol engine, developed in accordance with FIA's Super 2000 regulations.

Honda's ambition is to join the WTCC as early as this season, with a string of "inaugural rounds". Discussions are currently being held with the FIA, but these rounds would include Japan (held on 21 October 2012 at Honda's Suzuka circuit), followed by China and Macau. Honda will then enter a two car team, managed by J.A.S. Motorsport, into every race in the 2013 championship season.

 

I use to live in Swindon, factory is huge!

 

Interesting to see that Honda uses turbocharged engines in production cars now. I was surprised to hear that watching a btcc race.

 

Yeah i was surprised too. Maybe its something they're developing for future car models? Since it seems most cars are going I4 with DI turbo.

 

NICE!

 

1.6L turbo! I'm excited!

 

Yes indeed!!