Having lost the 2014 British Touring Car Championship to MG, Honda Racing Team returns to the series with a new race car->ke148 based on the newly launched Civic Type R. The beefed-up hatchback replaces last year's Civic Tourer model, which became the first wagon to win a BTCC event. Unveiled during testing at the Brands Hatch track, the new Civic Type R race car will be driven by Gordon Shedden, the 2012 champion, and Matt Neal, a three-time BTCC winner, meaning Honda->ke34 will retain the same driver lineup for the sixth consecutive season.

Honda Racing had very few details to share about its new race car, but the Japanese manufacturer has high hopes for 2015. "Our car for 2015 is going to win races. The shape of the new road going Civic Type R has allowed the team to build on the design and take it forward to be a championship winning car," said Barry Plowman, technical director at Honda Yuasa Racing.

The unveiling of the new BTCC-spec car comes to confirm Honda won't pull out of the series, as it has been initially rumored due to its Formula 1->ke190 entry with McLaren.->ke284 Honda will be looking to win its fifth BTCC championship. The Japanese achieved their previous four wins between 2010 and 2013.

Continue reading to learn more about the Honda Civic Type R BTCC.

Exterior

Even though Honda provided only a handful of photos of the Type R BTCC, the race car clearly is based on the road-going, 2016 Civic Type R. The aerodynamic kit has received extensive updates compared to last season's car, but the BTCC car retains most of the cues seen on the street-legal hatchback. The front grille and the headlamps are identical, while the bumper sports only minor alterations, especially in the apron area. Of course, the reshaped fender flares and the lowered ride height increase the car's aerodynamic potential dramatically, but the new BTCC car is a good example of "watch it at the track Sunday, buy at at the dealership Monday."

Around back, the race car gets beefier bumper and fender flares, as well as a slightly modified rear wing. The exhaust pipes have been relocated into the wider side skirts, a feature you won't find on the road-going hatchback.

Interior

The interior is where the R Type BTCC is in no way related to its road-going sibling. Sure, the plastic piece that acts as a dashboard mimics the standard car's for regulation purposes, but, other than that, this hatch is a full-fledged racer. The driver has an Alcantara-wrapped, multifunction steering wheel at his disposal and sits in a race-spec, carbon-fiber seat.

A custom instrument cluster provides all the necessary information while out on the track. Naturally, the cockpit was built inside a full roll cage that prevents the car from crumbling in the event of a crash.

Drivetrain

Honda was brief about the engine powering the Type R BTCC, only saying it will send 345 horsepower and 400 Nm (295 pound-feet) of torque to the pavement. Judging by the 39-horsepower improvement over the standard hatch (torque figures are identical), it's safe to assume Honda meddled with the internals of the turbocharged, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder VTEC unit, which now mates to a sequential gearbox. The added oomph and improved aerodynamics should enable the Type R BTCC to hit 62 mph in around five seconds to go with a top speed in excess of 160 mph.

The enhanced drivetrain is backed by a tweaked chassis that features a stiffer sports suspension and lightweight wheels wrapped in Dunlop race-spec tires.

Competition

Infiniti Q50 "Support Our Paras" Racing

While last year's championship saw only Honda and MG battle for victory in the Constructor class, 2015 brings "Support Our Paras Racing" and its Infiniti Q50 as a third contender. A rookie in this series, Infiniti's BTCC effort is a charity above anything else, as the team consists of several injured paratroopers. That's because the aim is to help raise awareness and funds for "Support Our Paras," a charity benefiting the British Parachute Regiment and those coming home injured from war.

As per BTCC regulations, each of the the two Q50 race cars will feature a turbocharged, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine, a sequential six-speed gearbox, and an aerodynamics package. The sedans will be driven by Richard Hawken and Derek Palmer Jr.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class WIX Racing/Laser Tools Racing

As usual, the Independent class attracted an impressive number of entries, with no fewer than 10 nameplates, including race cars based on the Ford Focus ST, Chevrolet Cruze, Toyota Avensis, Audi A4, and the Audi S3. Having joined the series in 2014, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class returns for 2015 wearing the colors of Laser Tools Racing and WIX Racing. With only one victory and a 10th-place finish last season, WIX Racing's Adam Morgan will certainly be looking to score better results in 2015. The second A-Class will be driven by Aiden Moffat, who completed his first BTCC season in 2014.

As you might have already guessed, the A-Class BTCC employs the standard car's 2.0-liter four-banger and a new aero kit designed to reduce drag and increase acceleration. It is likely the A-Class won't be much of a competitor for the Civic Type R, but the two will clash on a regular basis over the 30 events scheduled on 10 tracks across the UK.

Conclusion

Although I feel a bit sad to see the Civic Tourer retire after just one season (come on, how often do you see a wagon racing?), the new Type R is definitely better suited to defeat the competitive MG6 GT and put Honda back at the top of BTCC rankings. Of course, winning the 2015 BTCC will also be a matter of consistency for Honda, which lost the previous trophy after its two entries missed eight races between them due to retirement, disqualification or DNS. All told, the 2015 BTCC racing season will be entertaining to say the least.