The estate car is returning to the British Touring Car Championship, in the form of this: the 2014 Honda Civic Tourer BTCC. It’ll contest the 10-venue, 30-round championship in the hands of 2012 driver’s champion Gordon Shedden, and veteran three-time champion Matt Neal.
What’s the spec of the 2014 Honda Civic Tourer BTCC?
Under the wagon’s bonnet, the Civic runs a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, turbocharged like the upcoming Honda Civic Type-R. Power is estimated to be more than 300bhp – around the same as the road-going hot hatch is expected to produce.
Torque is around 221lb ft, all of which is applied to the track via the front wheels. Inbetween, there’s a sequential six-speed racing gearbox, a carbon clutch, and 18in lightweight wheels wearing sticky Dunlop track rubber.
Despite the wagon’s more sedate profile, Honda claims the stripped out racer is not heavier than the hatchback’s 1280kg, and is still as fast, reaching a top speed of 160mph. The major visual changes versus the road-going Civic Tourer are a wider track and wheel arch extensions, a new front splitter and tall rear-wing combo, and of course the multispoke alloys.
The car will do battle with the BTCC field, including reigning champion Andrew Jordan, from 30 March 2014, when the BTCC circus fires up again at Brands Hatch circuit.
It’s sure to get a few enthusiasts hankering after a road-going version – Honda Civic Type-R Tourer anyone?