Driving a Honda Touring Car | BTCC Civic Type R review

The British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) is one of the most competitive racing series on the planet. Heavily modified production-based cars packed onto one circuit, battling it out for the lead in quickfire races. Here, we drive one of the front-running Team Dynamics Honda Civic Type Rs around the world-famous Silverstone International circuit. A serious racing car, or just a tuned up Civic Type R? Get the verdict, here.
With special thanks to Honda UK and Team Dynamics.
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Written and presented by: @JDennisonCars
Edited by: @StephenJDwight
CAR is the online edition of CAR magazine, Britain's oldest monthly motoring mag. It's the UK's best and fastest online motoring news service, providing a constant stream of scoops, first drives and official pictures of new cars.

[@CARmagazineTV]

We're back! It's been a while since we last made a video (our apologies for that) but we've got plenty of great video content on the way for 2020, so do be sure to subscribe keep an eye on the channel over the coming months. In the meantime, enjoy this little video we made towards the end of 2019.

[@tedtheturbot]

ffs guys you've dropped the ball on this one.. The ONLY way to get a feel for what she's like to drive from an armchair is pov.. Just inset a part screen/full screen cam that shows the wheel, driver inputs and a clear view of the apex (not blocked by the rear view mirror, dash, pillars etc).. Haven't you ever just watched a car video before?? C'mon boys it's obvious..and there's you 'its good its really noisy in the cabin cause its gives us a better understanding of what the things.. Dear oh dear..what ever next??

[@CARmagazineTV]

We would have liked a forward facing view, but only had very limited control of the setup on the day. A forward facing camera sadly wasn’t an option given to us.

[@stevep9041]

Excellent. I bought my Renault Cio R27 because of your article back in your first few issues

[@tedtheturbot]

@@CARmagazineTV lets hope for happier times the next setup

[@ianbradley7215]

The Type R is an insanely good road and track car and this thing is just a monster :)

[@CARmagazineTV]

Absolutely 👌👌

[@NordschleifeTypeR]

You are right! 👍

[@Mcfc2Rich]

My 21 year old Civic Type R is an animal I absolutely love it. Bred for circuit racing.

[@aidelibrahim6379]

A race car that you can drive it on a street, just put reg number, head lamp, tail light, turn light and drive to the street and back to the track at tbe same day. Brilliant Honda design boss.

[@vddracing3745]

Amazing car, amazing championship! Been a fan for years!

[@williambellisIII]

What an epic race car and experience! Will be back to watch this again and again.

[@CARmagazineTV]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@guidodesalvo444]

Unlike others mag videos...this one is quite detailed about the car handling and mecanics...great video!

[@CARmagazineTV]

Thanks Guido! Glad you enjoyed

[@tw2210]

Looking forward to this! 👍🏻 Love the magazine too.

[@CARmagazineTV]

Hope you enjoy it, Tim. Glad you're enjoying the mag, too. If you're interested, there's a web article from driving the BTCC car, too. www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/honda/civic-type-r-btcc/

[@nikezri92]

Must be a pleasure to drive these touring cars. Looks like an actual road going without the decals

[@mrfrdman]

Wow ,that sounds fantastic :)

[@corone2018]

I can only imagine how amazing that car is cause the road car is fantastic , TYPE R 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👌

[@CARmagazineTV]

It’s even better 😉

[@rockefelleragent1357]

Hyundai i30N TCR engine sounds better it has prettier higher pitch melody more like Ferrari... and it out handles and brakes the Type R TCR too

[@TheWetCanadian]

@@rockefelleragent1357 This guy... :'D Get outta here with your hyundai doodoo

[@corone2018]

I_need_1_Decillion_Dollars what Eva makes you feel better mate , lol your comparing Hyundai engine to a k20 Honda engine 😂😂😂

[@xu10j4rs1]

@@rockefelleragent1357 a BTCC car isn't the same as TCR.

[@chrispearson7126]

What an experience! What an opportunity! 😉📷🤘🏻 I'm only ever so slightly jealous 😂

[@CARmagazineTV]

It was! 😉

[@ianbradley7215]

It really is. The dude in the video (sorry, don't know his name) talked about its stability braking from 100mph. I've done a little track work and the road going version is so stable you know exactly what's going on. You're not correcting anything, just braking and turning in.

[@bumpinjeep]

Almost missed this, awesome video.

[@CARmagazineTV]

Glad you didn’t miss it!

[@Wesley_C]

This new Civic R touring car gotta be so great.

[@Marksession]

Where can I get this body kit?

[@paul197290]

Can't wait for end of March !!!

[@CARmagazineTV]

Us neither!

[@snikgg]

Oh man when that car started.. that exhaust sounds beautiful lol

[@93455Driver]

Good timing, the 2020 Chicago Auto Show has the revised 2020 Type R, a lot of positive comments from journalists, best got better.

[@nezabytes]

RML double wishbone suspension!?! Whaaat!!!

[@MiniEggs1999]

Very nicely driven sir. You clearly sneak off between SUV crossovers and get a few laps in to keep yourself sane 😁

[@jamesdennison9722]

Mini Eggs Absolutely. Better than banging my head against the desk 😉

[@MiniEggs1999]

James Dennison 🤣🤣 BTW is the Passat All Track on your day job list ? Be interested to know how it compares to more premium rivals. A6 etc. Shame Superb Scout not coming to UK.

[@CARmagazineTV]

Will look at getting one in for a video!

[@user-pf5uz1si4i]

Do you need to heel - toe or rev matching with such transmission or it'll do everything automatically for you. I just curious about the driver's braking algorithm. You hold the brake pedal and simultaneously changing gears or you still need to left foot brake and rev match with the right foot?

[@CARmagazineTV]

No rev-matching required - just like a video game. Driver can use right foot or left foot braking.

[@EnsoLLC]

Would love to have that type of bucket seat.

[@kaos3383]

Love my fk8

[@hartmutthomas989]

Bravo, Bravo . this car is amazing , realy

[@CARmagazineTV]

Glad you enjoyed it ☺️ Don’t forget to subscribe!

[@robertstrongman8617]

Awesome race car.civic type r are brill but because I'm bias. for me there's only one type r.an Impreza type r . SUBARU.rooooaaarrrrr

[@JIMMY_NEMESIS]

The sound that Honda never gave us...

[@kadenmonfredi6611]

Can someone explain to me why race cars have the steering wheel so close to the driver?

[@ukracer467]

Because of the forces involved you want to you use your shoulder muscles not just your arm muscles. Proper seating position for a race car means there should be a 90 degree bend at your elbow.

[@vkoptchev]

I would appreciate if you can comment on how much of a smoothness is sacrificed in order to achieve such levels of performance? The car looks jerky at low rpm when you exit on the pit lane. How smooth are the gear changes up and down, how much engine vibration is present in the cockpit. What is the level of overall roughness compared to the road version, and in what areas.

[@vkoptchev]

@@maxymillion7480 I know that in theory, but have not experienced it. Smoothness should be a concern even in a race car. The guy doesn't give information about how that car feels, except that it's noisy and fast.

[@CARmagazineTV]

It is indeed jerky at low RPM - as indeed any racing car with said gearbox is. Gearchanges are instantaneous as long as you're decisive with the lever, also surprisingly smooth. Engine vibration is prominent at all speeds. Like night and day compared with the road version, which is reasonably civilised. As you'd expect, BTCC racer is far noisier, firmer and harder to drive. Steering is much lighter than the road car however - something which is tailored to the specific driver.

[@ukracer7593]

Most race cars feel like tractors at low speed on normal roads. It's not until you get them in the powerband at speed that they work. You don't really notice any vibration, roughness etc when you're racing.

[@MrAdambinnie]

More videos of James in race cars please 😍

[@CARmagazineTV]

We’ll need a good tracking driver...

[@MrAdambinnie]

I know a guy.

[@stephendwight1628]

Why? Because the engine drowns out the h-weels? 😂 ​

[@CARmagazineTV]

Oh... 😭😭😭

[@stephendwight1628]

CAR Magazine 🤭 oh I feel bad now! Definitely loving James in these videos! 😍

[@Vincent-xd8nu]

Complimenti.

[@Jtbg80]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@aidelibrahim6379]

Nice car

[@DonLee1980]

What is more sensible? buying a BTCC car for track use, or a GT4 car?

[@bobbieeeee]

A GT4 is a lot closer to its road car than equivalent a BTCC car. However in GT4 most components will be specific to that manufacturer whereas many parts in BTCC are shared among other teams and manufacturers. A BTCC car will probably be more expensive to buy but cheaper to race over the course of a season.

[@danielbrown4579]

More like this please. 👏🏽

[@CARmagazineTV]

More on the way!

[@HaiTran-ry8pz]

Please sir can i have the bodykit name, i know it's type R but name the wide body part, thanks sir

[@CARmagazineTV]

It’s not a bodykit unfortunately. What you see are custom built parts from Team Dynamics.

[@logwind]

Why the clutch pedal if sequential?

[@CARmagazineTV]

Clutch pedal is used to get the car off the line. Not needed again until you come to a stop.

[@logwind]

@@CARmagazineTV got it, thanks.

[@matthewlai9892]

What's the different of the cars between BTCC and TCR?

[@CARmagazineTV]

BTCC cars are faster.

[@ukracer467]

There's not a lot in it speed wise but TCR cars are far, far closer to the road going version than a BTCC car is.

[@ajshed1419]

Matthew Lai TCR cars are BTCC cars but unused old ones, e.g. Henry Neal in TCR uses the old Dynamics FK2 (2018 Eurotech car)

[@surf183]

Where can i get this widebody kit??

[@CARmagazineTV]

Ask Team Dynamics if they'll sell it to you!

[@surf183]

CAR Magazine i can only wish

[@infiniteyou]

I would buy it right now if it was for sale

[@russellhagy]

One question...what parts do I need to put centerlock wheels on my Civic Type R??!!?? LOL

[@CARmagazineTV]

Pass! But they do look pretty darn cool...

[@leonmason77]

All I want to know is.... what were the brakes like?? 😂

[@airs2k]

Even though in real world the car looks hideous I might still get one. First mod, get rid of stupid wing.

[@FlyinGato]

This looks like the JAS motorsports one, but not quite as modified. Interesting that this also has the sequential gearbox, may have to look into that for my car.

[@furi7619]

Team Dynamics NGTC, 375hp spec subframe, about 1280kg and less DF than a TCR.

[@maxymillion7480]

Cant wait until you see the price tag of an gearbox from X-trac....

[@ukracer7593]

JAS motorsports one is a TCR car. This is a BTCC NGTC car which is very heavily modified compared to a TCR car.

[@BtccDan]

Absolutely nothing like the JAS car, which is a TCR spec car. NGTC BTCC cars are a different breed.

[@johnthor4999]

That wide body...oof

[@bseries8826]

♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️🏁

[@ajshed1419]

Safety first - right foot breaking. It’s also a replica car i think so it’s not exactly the BTCC car

[@CARmagazineTV]

Can confirm it is the BTCC car! Definitely not a replica.

[@paulofurtado4925]

Remove that C from that drivers name, and confuse people.

[@Pharaoh_The_Great]

Just wish it was based off a 2 door hatch... everything these days got to be sedan and heavyweight 🙄

[@giancarlocatedral8870]

3:17 hahaha sorry Am I the only one who heard it?

[@giancarlocatedral8870]

Anyways, awesome vid

[@AnonYmous-wz8ql]

A lot of times we love to hear the car run not the mouth!

[@melthippe383]

I mean you can still hear the car in the video but ok sass!

[@OhhRyzxh]

He compared an NSX to this...

[@CARmagazineTV]

For straight line speed, they were very equal!

[@markrs59]

Not much Honda civic left on it though is there!?!

[@CARmagazineTV]

Not a huge amount!

[@markrs59]

@@CARmagazineTV they actually run a Honda engine don't they?? Not the toca one, that's why they got that really deep exhaust note?

[@CARmagazineTV]

Yep, it’s Honda sourced.

[@rockefelleragent1357]

It is pretty much genuine Honda with the TCR it is the same with Hyundai and other brands too. The engine block is from the manufacturer. The foundation chassis / chassis are the same. So the engine note will carry on from stock to racing. Sounds changes a bit due to bigger turbo's and exhaust and header. You still get that Honda Civic-bred out of the TCR car. This was closely explained with the Hyundai i30N TCR and its the same with the Honda and other brands sorry

[@creedassasians4000]

8ii

[@Android-vk8yh]

Immensely jealous I drove my Civic Type R fn2 at Brands Hatch that was a dream for me but to drive an actual touring car would be amazing, test drive the new type of but don't have the money and a family full of girls but absorb all my money so I have no chance of driving these cars on the road or the track this should be a competition giveaway for the best comments and the most dedicated father just saying ☝️🤭👍votes here👇

[@alvinchan7746]

lmao larger fuel tank than a ford gt

[@BoilerBloodline]

Awesome car...although I’d much prefer it to be RWD...or at least AWD.

[@xu10j4rs1]

How come?

[@BoilerBloodline]

xu10j4rs1 Acceleration & handling are better in a RWD.

[@xu10j4rs1]

Pretty sure a fwd civic would lap faster than a rwd civic. It depends on a lot of things not just the driven wheels, there are fwd drive civics running 8's. AWD gets good 0-60 times but adds a lot of weight so can often have a disadvantage in lap times, take the focus rs for example, much heavier.

[@BoilerBloodline]

xu10j4rs1 Yeah...I’m not sure what changes are made to further balance the car for FWD. Assuming there is, obviously they would do the same for RWD. But it is true that RWD cars are faster around a track. I can’t say if AWD’s are as well, that one is just preference due to having driven both RWD and AWD on a track.

[@xj_220]

@@BoilerBloodline lmao the CTR is faster than a awd 600 hp merc e63s in nurburgring

[@jimhiscott2918]

2821 pounds???? I own a B swapped 1995 EG coupe. It ways only 2180 lbs and makes 487 hp on 19 psi of boost to the wheels. Wonder if that new TypeR would like to have a go. Lol However I'm guessing there typeR suspension is incredible and no doubt the race driver is a far better driver then I am👍

[@harryazzole7814]

There's a reason EG/DC chassis are still the fastest time attack cars in the world. Give the same treatment given to this Type R to a GSR or EG hatch and you have a 2400lb full dress race car with a better center of gravity and less weight. Look up some videos of the ITR at GridLife last year.

[@jimhiscott2918]

@@harryazzole7814 Agreed. I been watching some BTCC racing lately and it's incredible. Those drivers are out for blood. 2005 brands hatch race. Go have a look at that. It's a bumper car fest lol.

[@jimhiscott2918]

@Ade Matthews I kinda figured that. That car is certainly bad ass no matter what the weight, I love it!

[@disarchitected]

Those stupid rear bumper vents are blocked off even on a BTCC racer. I just can’t get over how bad the styling of this car is.

[@CARmagazineTV]

Does seem to be a marmite car with regards to styling. Some love it, some hate it.

[@arthurbikemad]

@@CARmagazineTV I love it, but then, I own it hahaha

[@garrettsmith8286]

That car is the exact replica of a reverse mullet. Damn its ugly back there......

[@SaWuDOHC]

that fake CF dash tho XD.