Honda unveils 1.6 liter for touringcar, may be fitted in new Civic Type-R

Honda has offered up the details on its latest Civic race car motor for the upcoming World Touring Car Championships, dubbed the HR412E. The motor is an inline-four 1.6-liter turbo with direct injection, and may be the precursor to a Honda Civic Type-R turbo.

While Honda has not released any specs, we do know that the car has passed the automakers testing in Italy so far.

A requirement of WTCC race cars is that they be based on production cars, so the one Honda is currently developing could likely be the start of something new for the public. “We believe the innovations that have led to this revolutionary engine will also lead to benefits beyond the race track, helping us to further increase the efficiency of our road car engines,” the company said in a statement.

Europe’s Civic Type-R is a probable candidate for a tuned-down version of the motor, but we won’t know for sure until this fall. The automaker should also be releasing a concept for the Type-R in spring 2013 for sale early 2014. With the current generation’s motor being put to rest due to tightening emissions regulations, the HR412E is a likely candidate for the next generation, so be sure to check back for the specs come race time.

– By: Alexandra Koken

Source: Automobile