honda-civic-tourer-2014-btcc

Honda Yuasa Racing will be entering a Honda Civic Tourer in the 2014 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). The only estate car on the BTCC grid will make its track debut in March at Brands Hatch, piloted by Matt Neal and Gordon 'Flash' Shedden.

According to CAR Magazine UK, the BTCC Honda Civic Tourer is powered by a 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbo engine that is estimated to develop upwards of 300 hp and around 300 Nm of torque, all of which are sent to the front wheels via a sequential six-speeder and a carbon clutch.

Honda claims the BTCC Honda Civic Tourer isn't heavier than this year's 1,280 kg hatchback and can exceed 250 km/h. The British publication also reports that compared with the road-going Civic Tourer, the racer has a wider track and extended wheel arches. Of course, the front splitter, rear wing, lightweight 18-inch multi-spoke alloys and Dunlop racing rubber are also evident additions.

This year's season saw the team's Honda Civics winning both the teams' and manufacturers' crowns for the fourth consecutive year, with Neal and Shedden narrowly missing out on the drivers' crown.

"It might be a Tourer, but it's still a Civic, the car that has won every championship in BTCC for the last three seasons," said Shedden. "I'm really looking forward to the challenge of next season, and to seeing what the Tourer can do on race day."

"Racing with the Civic Tourer means no compromise over the Civic hatchback," said team manager Peter Crolla. "The weight, wheelbase, layout and suspension remain the same, but naturally, the length of the car is extended due to the larger tailgate."