While Honda has chosen to race the Civic Tourer in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), the Japanese carmaker continues to approach the World Touring Car Championship in a more traditional way, choosing the Civic hatchback for the job.
Following the teaser rendering released late last year, Honda has now revealed the real 2014 Civic WTCC works car, albeit with camouflage gear. The first two images of the new Civic racer were taken earlier this year during its first test session in Aragon, Northern Spain.
The design of the new Civic WTCC reflects the latest technical regulations for the FIA WTCC and stands out because of the wheel arch extensions, larger diameter wheels, sleeker aero package and extended rear spoiler.
Under the banner of the “Castrol Honda World Touring Car Team”, Honda will enter two works cars in 2014, driven by Gabriele Tarquini and Tiago Monteiro and run by J.A.S. Motorsport. Private outfits Zengő Motorsport and Proteam Racing will also compete for honors with two further Civics, driven by Hungary’s Norbert Michelisz and Moroccan Mehdi Bennani respectively.
Honda’s objectives for the 2014 WTCC season are clear: the carmaker wants to win both the manufacturer’s and the driver’s titles.
“We achieved four victories and captured the manufacturer’s title last season in the FIA World Touring Car Championship, the WTCC, which was our first year of full-participation,” said Honda CEO Takanobu Ito. “In this season, we will strive to win the double title for driver’s and manufacturer’s with a total of four machines including a works team and two private teams,” the executive added.
By Dan Mihalascu
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