Roberto Colciago gives new Civic Type R TCR track debut

The latest incarnation of the Honda Civic Type-R TCR has broken cover after JAS Motorsport completed the initial track run of the new car in Italy.

JAS announced earlier this year that it would develop a racing version of Honda’s FK8 Civic for use in TCR competition, with an initial run of 25 cars due to be delivered to customers from December onwards.

The first run for the new car was completed by reigning TCR Italy Champion – and TCR International Series front-runner – Roberto Colciago at the Autodromo Tazio Nuvolari, with the 49-year-old insisting that the early impressions for the car were positive.

“It’s great to be able to get a first taste of the new Honda Civic Type R TCR,” he said. “As this is only a first run it’s too early to say much about the car, but initial impressions were that it feels well-balanced, the engine is responsive and the gearbox and other major areas like the aero package, are improved over the old car, which was itself a multiple championship-winner. Anybody who races this car next year is going to have a very competitive package.”

The new Civic will now undergo an extensive development programme before the first customer cars are delivered.