Honda R&D will be making a custom motor, manufactured and maintained by Mugen. Development will be handled by J.A.S., and will base the model on the new Civic 5 door.

A direct injection 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine will power the model, displaced at 1.6-liters.

Click here for more news on the Honda Civic.

The automaker is aiming to enter the Championship as soon as possible, and is hopeful for this season, with a two car team to follow for ever 2013 race.

In addition, the Honda Racing British Touring Car Championship team, a group of three-time champions, will be running a separate operation with the Team Dynamics version of the new Civic. This event is to kick off April 1.

- By: Alexandra Koken

With plans to make a race debut at the Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps on May 5, the team will follow up with two TS030 Hybrid entries into the Le Mans 24 Hours. Driving the TS030’s will be Nicolas Lapierre, Kazuki Nakajima and Alex Wurz, with more to join.

The new Hybrids follow up the TS010 and TS020 models, and are the first to confirm participation in the FIA World Endurance Championship with a hybrid. Featuring the Toyota Hybrid System-Racing powertrain, the TS030 is powered by a new naturally aspirated 3.4-liter V8. TMG has developed and produced a new carbon fiber LMP1 chassis, as well.

Aisin AW provided the front motor system, while the rear was crafted by Denso, to meet regulations on hybrid systems. The team will be testing that the requirements are met on the first run.

By: Alexandra Koken

The 2013 Ford Fusion NASCAR Sprint Cup will debut at Daytona 500 in February 2013 and features a new fresh face.

Click here for our original post on the 2013 Ford Fusion.

”We wanted Fusion to be the car that helped return ‘stock car’ to NASCAR.” stated Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing. “I think fans, when they see the car, are just going to smile and cheer. It is going to reengage them with the sport and make the sport better because there is just something natural about seeing race cars that look like cars in their driveways.”

The new NASCAR Ford Fusion will be tested throughout the 2012 campaign in preparation for their racing debut.

- By: Omar Rana

Two weeks before the wrecking ball was scheduled to take down Hyundai Motor America’s headquarters in Fountain Valley, California, the Korean automaker thought “Wouldn’t it be cool to do something outrageous inside the building before all the walls finally came down?”

Then came along Dustin Loranger, one of Hyundai’s Service Technicians, why suggested putting Rhys Millen, his Genesis Coupe drift car, and the company’s abandoned HQ together for a unique drift demonstration in a unique industrial setting

Hit the jump for the video to see how it turned out

- By: Omar Rana

Click here for our original post on the Ford Focus ST-R.

The ST-R will be a track only offering falling into your hands for just under $100,000 and even though the cheaper and more powerful 2013 Mustang Cobra Jet undercuts the Focus by $13,505 at $85,490 it’s really just a different friendly face in a world of high quality driving instruments.

Check out more new on the Ford Focus.

Ford’s idea of a high quality driving instrument includes a stripped out road car, roll cage, 2.0 liter 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine, upgrades wheels, suspension, brakes etc.

Seriously hurting to pick up a FR-S for your team or track days? You can order yours through any Ford dealership and pick it up in the fourth quarter of 2012.

- By: Sawyer Sutton

Source: CARandDRIVER

What if Ken Block were to take is new H.F.H.V Ford Fiesta rally race car to the streets of LA? Well, that’s exactly what he did recently to test out the new SYNC system on his race prepped Fiesta.

Block’s Ford Fiesta RS WRC HFHV, which stands for Hybrid Function Hoon Vehicle, had its normal 1.6L four-banger replaced with a Pipo Moteurs-built, 2.0L four-banger.

It’s definitely difficult as an everyday drive – but nothing is difficult for the Block.

Check out the video after the jump.

- By: Omar Rana

We are not sure exactly what, why or how, but there is a rumor that the Toyota Prius will be making its racing debut in an upcoming series.

The 2012 Prius has a 1.8-liter four-banger powerful enough to manage a combined output of 134hp, giving it a top speed of 112mph and a 0-60mph time of 9.8 seconds. These figures are pretty great for an eco-friendly daily driver, but a race car? Perhaps if it will be going up against others in its class, but there are no details for such an event as of yet.

There is a part of the Super GT series called the GT300 class that features cars with less than 300hp, so if there is a Prius GT300 in the works, TRD has its work cut out.

As for the rendering of the anticipated release, this is not official Toyota material; although it looks like it would be an awesome addition to my matchbox collection.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: motorpasionf1.com (via AutoBlog)

Following the public debut of the road-going Subaru BRZ, the company has dropped a video of its new Subaru BRZ GT300, which will compete in the GT300 Class and will replace the STI Legacy B4. The model will represent the company at the 2012 Super GT Championship in Japan.

Check out the video after the jump.

Click here for our original post on the Subaru BRZ.

Refresher: Weighing in at just 2,689 pounds, the Subaru BRZ is powered a 2.0 liter 4-clyinder boxer engine making 197-hp at 7,000 rpm with a maximum torque of 151 lb-ft at 6,600 rpm. The engine is mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission.

- By: Omar Rana

“The car ran like clockwork throughout and we’ve managed really good mileage already,” Turner said. “The feeling of the V12 Vantage GT3 is a massive step forward from the DBRS9. Being based on the smaller Vantage it is more responsive and feels more nimble, giving the driver plenty of confidence to extract all the performance from the V12 engine while also being light on its tyres. It isn’t too physical to drive and I didn’t even break into a sweat during the test!”

Power for the Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 comes from a 6.0 liter V12 making 600-hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

“With the clean styling and the amazing sounding V12, it’s closer to the core values of Aston Martin’s road cars than any of the racing cars we’ve ever built,” Turner said. “I’m certain it’ll become a favourite among motorsport fans in no time at all.”

Aston says that the V12 Vantage GT3 will be eligible to run in all FIA GT3 and national GT3 championships; the Blancpain Endurance Series; VLN and the Nurburgring 24 Hour endurance race. The company will continue testing into the New Year and beyond.

Check out the vide and technical specs after the jump.

Technical Specifications – V12 Vantage GT3

Engine

Lightweight V12

Dry sump oil system

Power >600bhp

Torque >700Nm

Transmission

Xtrac 6 speed sequential transmission with semi-auto gear change

Limited slip ramp/plate differential

Carbon fibre propshaft

Chassis

Lightweight aluminium chassis

Steel roll cage to FIA safety standards

High speed pneumatic jack system

Suspension

Double wishbone with uniball bearings

2-way adjustable dampers front and rear

Optimised geometry for lower race ride height

Steering

Hydraulic power assisted steering

Fuel system

110-litre fuel cell to FIA safety standards

Twin quick release couplings

Brakes

6 pot front & 4 pot rear calipers with ventilated steel discs

Manually adjustable front/rear brake bias

Adjustable motorsport ABS and traction control

Wheels & Tyres

Front 12.5″ x 18″ 30/68-18

Rear 13″ x 18″ 31/71-18

Cockpit

Six-point safety harness

Adjustable seat & pedal box position

Lightweight battery

Carbon fibre dash

Fire extinguisher system

Driver display and shift lights

Body & Aero

Removable carbon-fibre body panels & aluminium roof

Front splitter

Adjustable full width carbon fibre rear wing

Aerodynamically optimised bumpers, side sills and rear fenders

Weight

Dry weight 1250kg

- By: Omar Rana

The Police Interceptors will be released in 2012, and will appear for the first time on the NASCAR circut.

Ford has been the predominant brand for police vehicles for 15 years, and continue the tradition with the new Interceptors. The new models were created with a top of the line powertrain, technology and safety innovations.

Ford has also made the first Utility vehicle ready for pursuit, which will also be racing during the Ford Championship Weekend. Both the sedan and the utility will be pacing the races.

In the past, Ford has been the first to bring a Hybrid to pace at the NASCAR races with the Fusion Hybrid, and the brand has featured the 2011 Explorer SUV and the Mustang GT 5.0-liter V-8 as pace cars.

“Using our new range of Ford products to pace signature events like Ford Championship Weekend is an important part of our marketing strategy,” said Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing. “We’re thrilled that we’re able to help launch the new Police Interceptors at Ford Championship Weekend, and know that the fans will be excited to see these unique vehicles performing out on track.”

- By: Alexandra Koken

Mercedes-Benz previously announced that Mika Hakkinen, two-time Formula 1 world champion, would be coming back for the final race in the International Le Mans Cup, in Zhuhai, China.

The champion’s return comes after spending four years away from the cockpit, and this time he will be getting behind the wheel of the SLS AMG GT3. ”

“This is challenging for me, because I’ve never done it before,” said Hakkinen. He also adds that this experience will be “very different from Formula 1 or DTM cars, but also very easy to drive and very consistent.”

While this may be a temporary return, Hakkinen did mention that if all goes well, he may come back again for next year’s race.

Follow the jump for the video.

- By: Alexandra Koken

The model is based on its predecessing 997-series 911, and comes with a six-cylinder boxer engine with a 4.0-liter displacement, producing 454-hp, versus last year’s 449-hp. Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters operate the six-speed sequential gearbox. Porsche also made the wheels on the 2012 911 GT3 RSR a bit larger, by 30mm, and modified the air intake.

“Our customer teams can expect a technically mature, high performance race car with which they will be highly competitive at international long distance races,” assures Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport. “Our test programme on various international race tracks is currently running at full speed. We are very pleased with the car’s performance and driveability.”

Specs for the car can put in in race series such as the FIA World Endurance Championship, the Le Mans and Americna Le Mans Series, the Le Mans 24-hour, and the International GT Open.

- By: Alexandra Koken

“Jeg Jr. is a proven winner, with four Pro Stock championships on his resume,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “We are thrilled to add an elite driver to Team Mopar, and we look forward to sharing in his great success at the drag strip next season.”

“I’m extremely excited to join forces with Mopar in 2012,” said Jeg Jr. in reply, the only racer in the history of the NHRA to win a national event in six different classes. “The entire Coughlin Brothers Racing team has high expectations for the 2012 season and we expect to field a premier program with our Mopar/JEGS.com Dodge Avenger team, from top to bottom.”

Coughlin Jr. will join veteran racer Allen Johnson as the only two drivers in the Pro Stock class directly sponsored by Mopar.

- By: Omar Rana

The track ready 370Z Nismo RC is based on the street legal Z but has been prepared for the track but is significantly lighter and fitted with a FIA-compliant roll cage, fire extinguisher, racing seat and numerous NISMO performance upgrades. The model has been built to conform to International FIA GT4 and World Challenge GTS class specifications.

Power still comes from the 3.7 liter Nissan VQ37VHR engine making 355-hp and 276 lb-ft of torque. The track-ready model gets a NISMO race exhaust, NISMO tuned ECM, high capacity NISMO clutch, flywheel, engine oil, transmission and differential coolers and a Recaro racing seat with 6-point racing harness. The best part? It weighs in at 2,954 lbs.

If you end up buying one, Nissan Motorsports provides an easy way to race its 370Z in a competitive professional racing series. You can contact them at 1 (888) 833-3225 or send e-mail inquiries to nmc.race@nissan-usa.com.

- By: Omar Rana

The Federation Internationale de I’Automobile, responsible for the Le Mans 24 Hours among other races, has teamed up with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest to open up the World Endurance Championship for 2012.

Toyota plans on participating in several of the races with a new LMP1 prototype. While all the specs and details have not been released yet, we do know the LMP1 will feature a a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain.

Tadashi Yamashina, Toyota’s Senior Managing Officer, announced “We have completed in Le Mans before, but by using our hybrid technology, our participation in 2012 will be completely new. We want to make history in the Le Mans 24 Hours, as well as in the FIA World Endurance Championship, through use of our hybrid technology. In addition, we aim to learn from the experience of competing in such a challenging motorsport environment to enhance our production-car technology. We thank the ACO and the FIA for their input and assistance.”

- By: Alexandra Koken

Bentley may be planning to put its LMP1 up against Porsche and Audi in upcoming racing plans.

While no official announcements will be made until next summer, Wolfgang Durheimer, Bentley CEO says “An LMP1 car would be a good way to go, but not the only possible way. There is nothing saying the same brands can’t compete against each other – the only important thing is that the racing activity supports fully the brand identity.”

Other possiblities include different race programes, as Durheimer sees space for the brand in both Asia and the U.S. He elaborates “The three brands of Bentley, Porsche and Audi could race in different regions and come together five or six times a year for the world sportscar championship and that once per year in France. It’s no decided, but it is possible.”

He also feels that it is crucial to keep the race team and Bentley’s Crewe base close to one another, because he is “absolutly convinced that having the racing department close to the company headquarters is key in motivating people at the factory. I am also keen that people from the road car side sample the racing side… In racing you need discipline and focus, and when people come back to road cars from that enviorment it really helps them.”

By: Alexandra Koken

Source: AutoCar

The Dakar Rally is a 14 day off road race that goes for over 5,500 miles with hundreds in competition.

Three cars crafted by RaBe Race Cars will be driven by the British Rally Raid Team, made up of drivers Andrew Colley, John Hardy, and Martin Rowe.

The unique vehicles the team will be driving are a mix of the all-new Range Rover Evoque body, powered by a BMW 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six diesel engine. This motor puts out 275-hp at 479 lb-ft of torque, and is paired with a ZF 6-speed transmission.

Click here for more news on the Range Rover Evoque.

David Jones is the British Rally Raid Team’s business manager, who comments “We’ve been working on this project for a long time. We were approached by a manufacturer, RaBE Race Cars, whose staff has been around the sport for a long time. Seeing our professional approach, they asked if we could work together. We have goals we can assist each other with, so we have now set our sites a bit higher.”

RaBe Race Cars’ Mike Jones also notes “We have years of off-road motorsport experience at entry level, from club to international work teams…It is little known, but we have built cars for many other teams who race under their own colors and logos.”

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: CarScoop

Designed and built to conform to the new Technical Regulations of the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, the A5 DTM will be entering the 2012 season.

To meet the new Technical Regulations, the A5 DTM features a hybrid construction, which means the A5 DTM features a full carbon fiber unibody combined with a steel cage for reinforcement.

Powering the A5 DTM is a 460-hp V8 mated to a six-speed sequential manual with paddle shifters. Underneath, all of the electronics are powered without fuses amongst other state of the art technology.

For more detailed information, check out the press release after the jump.

- By: Chris Chin