New Honda ‘easier to drive’

The new generation Honda Civic Type R FL5 TCR developed by technical partner JAS Motorsport has been revealed and is already getting positive reviews from behind the wheel.

The new car will come to Australia next year when the TCR World Tour arrives down under and was released following at test at Cervesina, Italy last week.

Honda’s third Civic TCR is the 26th model to be certified by WSC Group since the category started in 2015.

Cutting the car’s first laps was Argentine factory star Nestor Girolami, who said it was a “very promising” car to drive.

“We completed two days at Cervesina, but it’s felt very promising,” he said. 

“The engine ran strongly with no reliability issues. We still have a lot of work to do with the testing programme before it races, but it’s been a very encouraging start.”

The new Honda Civic Type R FL5 TCR. Image: JAS Motorsport

Girolami said he felt much more at one with the car compared to the previous Civic TCR, which Tony D’Alberto steered to championship glory at Bathurst this year.

“This (the cockpit) is the first big difference. You feel much more comfortable with the seating position, and the level of technology at your fingertips feels two steps ahead of the previous car,” he said.

“You sit closer to the centre of the car and lower too so it’s better for the weight distribution and because you sit lower, you feel what the car is doing through your body much more.

“The new car it’s a bit easier to drive on the limit than the old one. It’s smoother all-round and you don’t have to fight as much to clock very good lap times.”

Tony D’Alberto won the 2022 TCR Australia championship with Honda. Image: Daniel Kalisz

According to Girolami the old Civic came alive in medium speed corners, but the changes made to the new model have ensured ‘improved’ handling and braking stability, making the Argentine hopeful it can perform on street circuits.

“The old Civic was very good in medium-speed corners, but the new car has a longer wheelbase, so the handling is improved in higher-speed corners and the stability is better under braking,” he said. 

“Because the steering has been modified quite significantly, it’s more reactive on turn-in too. The wheel is open at the top and you can’t cross your hands over in a really tight corner, so this is a big help. 

“It should make the car very strong on street circuits.”

WSC Group president Marcello Lotti welcomed the arrival of the new Honda Civic Type R TCR.

“We are delighted to welcome the new Honda Civic Type R in the family of TCR racing cars that has been consistently growing since 2015.

We are very grateful to JAS and Honda for continuing their commitment to the TCR concept. In fact, they have been early-hour supporters of the category, joining from the first season in the 2015 TCR International and TCR Asia Series.

Up until today, the Civic racers have totalled a remarkable 3666 starts over 43 TCR championships/series, claiming 365 victories in TCR-sanctioned races.

We wish JAS Motorsport and Honda to continue their successful activity in TCR with the new Civic.”

The new Honda TCR will be seen at Bathurst and one other Australian venue next year.

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