Honda reveals 1.6-liter turbocharged heart of its new WTCC Civic racer

Technical details are still scant, but we do know a tiny bit more about Honda and its plans for a World Touring Car Championship entrant based on the Euro-spec 2012 Civic. The automaker has unveiled its HR412E, a 1.6-liter, turbocharged and direct injected gas engine, and let us know its plans for getting the engine and car into some races: Tiago Monteiro will race one example in the final three rounds of the season, beginning with Suzuka, and multiple touring car champion Gabriele Tarquini will join him for races in the second car as of 2013. Tarquini is doing development work on the car this year.

The car itself is currently in Milan, Italy being tested and prepped by JAS Motorsport, a collaboration we've already had a taste of in the dirt with their Honda Jazz rally car. Honda has also partnered with Mugen on its WTCC project. It will be three months before we see the Civic WTCC going for the checkered flag, the Suzuka race running October 19-21. Have a read of the presser below for a few more details on the engine and the drivers.