Honda is working on a new competitor for the Super GT series and is now showing the model with a new concept car during the Tokyo Auto Salon in Japan. The so-called Civic Type R-GT race car has been developed based on the currently running Civic Type R and is slated to replace the NSX-GT Type S. The concept car shown in Tokyo wears Honda Racing Corporation’s corporate colors – red, blue, and white. The prototype debuted in Tokyo alongside HRC president Koji Watanabe.
Despite the obvious visual similarities between street legal and racing cars, there are some key differences between the two. The track engine is rear-wheel drive as opposed to the Civic Type R’s front-wheel drive layout. No detailed mechanics information was available, but Honda says the concept points to the direction in which the final version of the race car will develop during the development process.
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We also don’t know at what stage of the development process is currently, but the Japanese automaker announced the first track tests are scheduled for this summer. The final version should be ready for the 2024 season of the Super GT series when new regulations in the GT500 segment will be introduced. Honda is expected to be the only manufacturer with a new competitor in the series as Nissan and Toyota will likely continue with modified versions of their current race cars based on the Nissan Z and Toyota Supra, respectively.
This is everything we know about Honda’s new Super GT race car currently in development. As a reminder, the grand touring car championship was founded in 1993 and changed its name to its current name in 2005. This series represents the top level of auto racing in Japan and currently has two classes – GT300 and GT500. Last year, Nissan took the crown in both classes and Honda’s last title will be in 2020 with the front-engined NSX-GT.
The 2023 season in Super GT begins on April 15 this year at the Okayama International Circuit. A total of eight races are planned for this year, although Honda will have to wait until 2024 to introduce a new Civic Type-R based competitor.
