Honda’s New Racing Engine tested successfully at Suzuka Circuit

・HRC’s new race engine has been tested successfully at Honda’s Suzuka circuit.

・Based on Civic Type R’s mass production engine, the multi-variant engine may comply with different race categories, while aiming at low cost.

・The Spec D tested at Suzuka aims to extract 600 horsepower.

Honda’s racing development subsidiary, Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), has developed the new racing engine HRC-K20C based on the Civic Type R engine. This engine is designed to cater to various racing categories, ranging from 300 horsepower to 600 horsepower classes, while aiming to achieve low costs. On November 7th, the engine was successfully tested at Suzuka Circuit, mounted on a Super Formula SF19 chassis.

The HRC-K20C is a track-specific engine based on the 2.0L VTEC TURBO K20C engine used on the globally acclaimed Civic Type R. The new race engine is designed to endure the long full-throttle runs unique to circuit racing. The engine has been developed with four variations in mind, from Spec A with 300 horsepower class to Spec D targeting 600 horsepower class.

Spec B is already installed in the Acura Integra Type S DE5 in North America, with five cars participating in the TCX class of the TC America touring car race. It also competed in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in June 2024. The cylinder block is reinforced through special casting process based on mass-produced block and is manufactured at the Anna Engine Plant in Ohio, USA. Most components, except strengthened pistons, connecting rods, oil jets, high-strength bolts, oil baffles, and the aforementioned reinforced cylinder, are the same as those in the mass-produced K20C engine.

The engine tested at Suzuka Circuit was the top-tier Spec D, capable of producing around 600 horsepower. It utilizes mass-produced engine parts while reinforcing necessary areas for high output and is designed to support dry sump and midship mounting for formula machines such as SF19.

The HRC-K20C, capable of adapting to various racing categories with different horsepower classes, is a race-specific engine that balances high potential and low cost. HRC is exploring the possibility of external sales.