Honda Civic to enter the WTCC in 2012

Honda has announced that they will be joining the FIA’s World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) later in 2012 and will continue to participate in every race of the WTCC in 2013. Honda will be using their ninth generation Civic modified in accordance to the FIA’s Super 2000 regulations. Honda has developed a new engine for the WTCC Civic. The engine in question is a 1.6 litre, four cylinder, direct injection, turbocharged petrol engine.

While Honda is developing the new engine, they have asked their tuning division, Mugen, to manufacture and service it. J.A.S. Motorsport will develop the race car based on the new five door Honda Civic. The car will be produced at Honda’s manufacturing plant in Swindon, UK.

As of now Honda is in discussions with the FIA as to when exactly they will be able to enter the 2012 WTCC season. However, it should include the WTCC race to be held on the 21^st of October at Honda’s Suzuka racing circuit followed by China and Macau.

Racing has always been a key element of Honda’s DNA in developing better and safer components and technology for their road cars. In the late 1950s Honda first entered the Isle of man T.T and then Formula One in the 1960s. The FIA WTCC is the next chapter in Honda’s on-going commitment to world motor sport and provides a perfect platform to demonstrate its racing spirit to numerous fans around the world.