Honda has introduced the world to the 2023 Honda Civic Type R that will serve as the pace car for the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season making its debut at this weekend’s season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St Petersburg presented by RP Funding.
The latest in a series of Honda Pace Cars utilized for Indy car competition since 2006, the new Civic Type R Pace Car is the most powerful model in the Type R’s 30-year history, and benefits from additional improvements made to the production Honda Civic Type R for 2023, including an all-new immersive cockpit experience and a sleek, muscular new design.
Hideki Kakinuma, global Civic Type R development leader said:
“Type R is very important for Honda as the pinnacle of our factory performance and an irreplaceable brand that enables enthusiasts to experience Honda’s racing spirit, and seek the ultimate in speed and driving pleasure. “The all-new Civic Type R will continue that legacy, leveraging Honda’s racetrack-proven engineering to deliver extreme performance and passion—both on the road and on the racetrack.”
Under its new vented aluminum hood is an even more powerful version of Honda’s award-winning K20C1 engine. Horsepower, torque and response are improved by a redesigned turbocharger, increased air intake flow rate, and a new more efficient exhaust system that features a straight through design and an active exhaust valve. The size, shape and number of the turbocharger’s turbine wheel blades have been optimized along with the flow path of the intake charge, enabling the turbocharger to generate pressure in a wider range and more efficiently. The turbocharged 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine now produces 315 horsepower at 6,500