- Civic Type R FL5 TCR to make North American debut in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge in 2023
- Continues successful relationship between HPD and JAS Motorsports building on multiple wins achieved by the Civic Type R FK7 TCR
- HPD partners HART, LA Honda World and Victor Gonzalez Racing Team (VGRT) will be first to campaign the new car
Santa Clarita, CA (December 12, 2022)- Honda Performance Development (HPD) and JAS Motorsports announce the introduction of the new FL5 Civic Type R TCR for motorsports competition in 2023.
The new race car, which is based on the latest FL5 Honda Civic Type R production model revealed last summer, builds on the great success achieved by its predecessors since the Type R brand debuted in TCR competition in 2015.
Key features include a brand-new exterior design and aerodynamic package to improve downforce, a new chassis for enhanced cornering stability and greater driver safety, upgraded braking and transmission systems plus a race-prepared version of the four-cylinder, two-liter turbocharged engine featured in the Type R production vehicle.
An ergonomically refined cockpit has been created in line with the latest FIA global safety standards and houses a sophisticated multi-channel driver display providing a greater level of relevant information than ever before.
Additional lighting, driver cooling, and anti-lock braking is available in addition to a heavily revised ‘quick-fill’ fueling system and a more sophisticated cockpit display to provide a greater range of relevant information to the driver in real time.
The new Civic Type R TCR continues a long and successful partnership between HPD and JAS Motorsport. All cars are developed in Italy by JAS Motorsports and available in North America for racing competition through HPD.
These new cars will make their official debut on track this coming April with our partner teams HART, LA Honda World and VGRT in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. LA Honda World will field two cars, with Ryan Eversley and Matt Pombo as one of the driver pairings.
VGRT is looking to follow-up from their breakthrough season last year, when Victor Gonzalez and Karl Wittmer combined for two wins in 2022, including the Petit Le Mans season finale and a breath-taking final-lap pass for the victory at Sebring.
JAS-developed Civics Type R TCRs race cars have helped Honda to become FIA World Touring Car Champions and its partner teams to achieve 397 TCR race victories and 74 major crowns in the category globally.
The previous-generation Civic Type R TCR was named TCR Model of the Year in both 2019 and 2020. In 2022, the Type R TCR enjoyed its most successful year to date with 76 race victories and 19 championship titles in Europe, Asia, South America and Oceania as well as the runner-up spot in the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup.
“We are delighted and excited to reveal the all-new Honda Civic Type R TCR, designed and built by JAS Motorsport at our specialist facility in Italy, and send our most sincere thank you to Honda for not only continuing to give us their blessing for this project, but for their renewed commitment to customer racing globally through a TCR program that we are incredibly proud to be at the center of. The new Type R TCR features significant enhancements in chassis, engine, suspension, and braking, while we’ve used the extensive knowledge gained through the NSX GT3 and Civic Type R TCR Customer Racing Programs to create our safest and most driver-friendly cockpit yet.” Mads Fischer, JAS Motorsports TCR Project Leader
“The Civic Type R is one of Honda’s most iconic and desirable cars. Being an icon and a globally homologated proper race car makes it no surprise that the TCR is one of HPD’s most popular cars. We at HPD are very proud to continue our partnership with JAS and offer the Honda Civic Type R FL5 TCR to North America in 2023.” John Whiteman, HPD Commercial Manager.
HPD will open ordering of cars for North America starting February 1, 2023. To inquire about car orders please contact HPD Customer Service by phone: (661) 702-7777 or email hpdsales@na.honda.com. Pricing details will be announced at a later date.
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