Is the Civic Type R-GT the ultimate Honda race car?

Photograph Courtesy Honda

The ultimate iteration of the Honda Civic Type R? The purpose-built Civic Type R-GT might be the answer.

The Type R-GT is currently undergoing sea trials at Okayama International Circuit in Japan, and is expected to compete in the GT500 class of the SUPER GT Series starting in 2024.

Although the release doesn't specify power output, GT500 cars are commonly capable of over 600 horsepower.

Comments

j_tso Dork
7/26/23 3:17 p.m.

It's definitely most extreme Civic-looking race car. The GT500 class specifies all cars use the same carbon tub, engine, and be front-engine, rear wheel drive. It's essentially a redressed GT500 NSX which was also mandated to be front-engined.

So now Super GT will have the Civic, Z, and Supra in the top class while there's an NSX, LC500, and GT-R in the lower GT300 class. Wild.

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
7/26/23 4:23 p.m.

I’d drive it.

tarach New Reader
7/27/23 7:04 a.m.

What you do think about FK8?

J.A. Ackley Senior Editor
7/27/23 8:14 a.m.

j_tso said:
It's definitely most extreme Civic-looking race car. The GT500 class specifies all cars use the same carbon tub, engine, and be front-engine, rear wheel drive. It's essentially a redressed GT500 NSX which was also mandated to be front-engined.

So now Super GT will have the Civic, Z, and Supra in the top class while there's an NSX, LC500, and GT-R in the lower GT300 class. Wild.

So, kind of like NASCAR, but in Japan with Japanese cars. Sweet.

jb229 Reader
7/27/23 8:15 p.m.

In reply to J.A. Ackley :

The top GT500 class do similar lap times to LMP2 cars and are generally considered to be prototypes in all but name, while the GT300 class is similar to GTD in IMSA in that it's GT3 with some rules tweaked as the series sees fit. It's where the beloved but sadly now retired V8 Prius ran for several years.