Civic Type R Limited Edition: 2020 WTCR Official Safety Car
Honda will be at the forefront of both safety and competition when the WTCR - FIA World Touring Car Cup season gets underway, with the new Civic Type R Limited Edition becoming the Official Safety Car of the series for 2020.
Unveiled in February at the Milan headquarters of Honda's long-term motorsport collaborator and official partner, JAS Motorsport, the Civic Type R Limited Edition is one of two new variants to be added to the Type R line-up for 2020 and is the most extreme version of the iconic hatchback to be made to date.
Developed in keeping with Type R tradition, and with track performance the primary focus, it also includes the same industry-leading active safety and driver-assistive technologies that helped the Civic range - which includes the standard Type R on which the Honda Civic Type R TCR racer is based - earn top ratings in Euro NCAP tests.
The Type R Limited Edition Safety Car will carry a resplendent livery featuring the 'Sunlight Yellow' colour - the same colour that the dynamic front-wheel drive hatchback will be available to customers in.
In addition to features that optimise on-track performance, such as lightweight 20" forged BBS alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup-2 tyres, 2-piece floating brake discs and modified dampers, the Limited Edition's stripped-back interior helps contribute to a weight reduction of 47kg compared to the GT-specification Type R.
The Limited Edition retains the Type R’s powerful 2.0-litre VTEC Turbo engine, which has a peak power output of 320PS at 6,500rpm and peak torque of 400Nm. 0-100km/h (0-62mph) is achieved in 5.7 seconds.
The livery of the Civic Type R Safety Car is inspired by the aggressive philosophy behind the production vehicle, and is the work of Belgian artist Vanuf, who has designed many of Honda's official liveries for its touring car programmes.
The 2020 WTCR season will consist of six rounds at European venues, starting at the Salzburgring in Austria on the weekend of 12-13 September. Four Honda Civic Type R TCRs will be campaigned - two by ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport, and a further two by ALL-INKL.DE Münnich Motorsport.
François Ribeiro, Head of Eurosport Events, the WTCR promoter, said: "Honda has a rich history in FIA World Touring Car competition and its long-standing commitment to the category is second to none, so we are delighted to welcome Honda as the new Official Safety Car Partner of the WTCR - FIA World Touring Car Cup with its Civic Type R Limited Edition. Having such an iconic car as the Civic Type R as the Official Safety Car - with its excellent safety rating, its sporty, dynamic qualities, as well as its affordability - fits perfectly with the philosophy of WTCR."
