JAS Motorsport unveils new Honda Civic Type R TCR

JAS Motorsport revealed the new Honda Civic Type R TCR, which will be introduced for the 2023 motorsport season.

The new race car, which is based on the latest FL5 Type R production model, launched 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-litre turbocharged engine from 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.

An ‘endurance’ version, influenced by the knowledge gained through the NSX GT3 Customer Racing Programme, is also available for customers planning to contest championships such as the VLN, 24h Series, IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and other long-distance events. Additional lighting, driver cooling and anti-lock braking are available together with a revised ‘quick-fill’ fuelling system and a more sophisticated cockpit display to provide a greater range of relevant information to the driver in real time. 

The car was given its maiden run at Circuit Tazio Nuvolari in Cervesina, Italy, on December 5 by Honda Racing Driver Néstor Girolami and is now undergoing a thorough track-based test and development programme before the first examples are delivered to customers.

The new Civic Type R TCR continues a long and successful partnership between Honda and JAS Motorsport that began in 1998 and intensified when the Milan-based organisation was chosen to develop the first Civic Type R for grass-roots circuit racing and rallying in 2001.

Delivery to customers is due to start in April 2023.

Mads Fischer, JAS Motorsport TCR Project Leader, said: “We are delighted and excited to reveal the new Honda Civic Type R TCR, designed and built by JAS Motorsport, 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 programme that we are incredibly proud to be at the centre of.”

Picture: JAS Motorsport