Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Honda gets new Civic NGTC out on the track to defend BTCC title]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/23/honda-gets-new-civic-ngtc-out-on-the-track-to-defend-btcc-title/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/23/honda-gets-new-civic-ngtc-out-on-the-track-to-defend-btcc-title/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/23/honda-gets-new-civic-ngtc-out-on-the-track-to-defend-btcc-title/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Honda NGTC race car testing

It's been five months since we first brought you word that Honda was developing a version of its new euro-spec Civic hatchback for competition in the highly competitive British Touring Car Championship. A month later, Matt Neal took home the title for the Japanese automaker behind the wheel of the outgoing Civic touring car. And just a couple of weeks ago, Honda released a quintet of renderings of the version it is preparing in parallel for the World Touring Car Championship.

By now, the Honda team has not only finished building the new Civic NGTC - shorthand for Next-Generation Touring Car - but it has completed initial systems testing, carried out its first on-track shakedown and released these images to tell the tale. With everything running smoothly so far, the team is gearing up for further testing before the 2012 championship kicks off at Brands Hatch on April 1. That's when Neal and Gordon "Flash" Shedden will campaign the new Civic NGTC against a vicious field of rivals driving Ford, Vauxhall, Volkswagen, Skoda, Seat, Audi, BMW, Toyota and Proton racers. Heck, there's even the new MG MG6 GT...but not Chevrolet.

We'll be watching keenly to see if Neal and Shedden can defend Honda's title, but for now, you can check out the high-res images in the gallery above and the press release after the jump to see how their new ride is shaping up.

Continue reading Honda gets new Civic NGTC out on the track to defend BTCC title

Honda gets new Civic NGTC out on the track to defend BTCC title originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 honda civic2012 honda civic ngtcbritish touring car championshipbtcccivicgordon sheddenhondahonda civichonda civic ngtcmatt nealnext generation touring carngtctouring carThu, 23 Feb 2012 13:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20176209/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/23/honda-gets-new-civic-ngtc-out-on-the-track-to-defend-btcc-title/20176209/article-detail.xml 20176209 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/webhondabtcc-02_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/webhondabtcc-02.jpg <![CDATA[MG goes big with new BTCC entry]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/26/mg-goes-big-with-new-btcc-entry/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/26/mg-goes-big-with-new-btcc-entry/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/26/mg-goes-big-with-new-btcc-entry/#commentsFiled under: , ,

MG6 GT BTCC

The field of cars entered in the British Touring Car Championship has grown incredibly in the last year or two. But as quintessentially British as the series is, few of those automakers represented on the grid are actually, you know... British. But that's all about to change with the latest entry from MG.

Now you might look at MG's current line-up of ho-hum Chinese econo-boxes and lament at how far the brand has fallen since its heyday of building quirky yet iconic roadsters, but MG is pulling all the stops with its touring car effort. The cars - based on the MG6 GT five-door - are being prepared by Triple 8 Race Engineering, the outfit responsible for turning Vauxhall into a powerhouse that dominated the BTCC for years.

If that's not enough to get the job done, the Sino-English automaker has also retained one of the very best drivers in the series. You may know the name and face of Jason Plato from Fifth Gear, the British motoring show he co-presents. But he's also a two-time BTCC champion, winner of 68 races and holds the records for the most fastest laps, pole positions and podiums in the history of the series. Poached from Chevrolet, Plato will be driving alongside up-and-coming talent Andy Neate.

All in all, MG KX Momentum Racing is shaping up as a force to be reckoned with, so the other 22 drivers on the grid had better take notice as the series gears up for its 55th running. Details in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading MG goes big with new BTCC entry

MG goes big with new BTCC entry originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy neatebritish touring car championshipbtccjason platomgmg6mg6 btccmg6 gtmg6 ngtcneatengtcplatotriple 8 race engineeringThu, 26 Jan 2012 08:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20156936/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/26/mg-goes-big-with-new-btcc-entry/20156936/article-detail.xml 20156936 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/web01-mg-btcc_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/web01-mg-btcc.jpg <![CDATA[Lotus enlisted to regulate BTCC engine performance]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/07/lotus-enlisted-to-regulate-btcc-engine-performance/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/07/lotus-enlisted-to-regulate-btcc-engine-performance/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/07/lotus-enlisted-to-regulate-btcc-engine-performance/#commentsFiled under: ,

BTCC turbo engine

Of the many motorsport disciplines in which Lotus is competing these days and will be in the near future, the British Touring Car Championship isn't one of them. And of all the manufacturers taking part in the BTCC, Lotus isn't among them. Which could be why race organizers have solicited the services of the Norfolk, England-based engineering consultancy in regulating the performance between the various cars competing in the series.

The issue comes down to the variety of racing formulas employed in the touring car series: some are naturally aspirated, some are turbocharged. Some follow the S2000 rules, some the BTCC's own Next-Generation Touring Car regulations, while others are still on the old BTCC rule book. It's a heck of an act to juggle, particularly when as many as 30 cars from a dozen or so different manufacturers are all racing towards the same checkered flag.

After Lotus presents its findings to the BTCC's Engine Technical Review Panel, organizers will then be able to establish what amount of boost the turbocharged cars can run in order to make it a fair fight for those running without them. Details in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Lotus enlisted to regulate BTCC engine performance

Lotus enlisted to regulate BTCC engine performance originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>british touring car championshipbtcclotuslotus engineeringngtcMon, 07 Nov 2011 18:41:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20099863/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/07/lotus-enlisted-to-regulate-btcc-engine-performance/20099863/article-detail.xml 20099863 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/65820-btcc-turbo-engine-2011_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/65820-btcc-turbo-engine-2011.jpg <![CDATA[Honda Racing UK already working on NGTC-spec Civic]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/04/honda-racing-uk-already-working-on-ngtc-spec-civic-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/04/honda-racing-uk-already-working-on-ngtc-spec-civic-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/04/honda-racing-uk-already-working-on-ngtc-spec-civic-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2012 Honda Civic

Of all the new debuts scheduled for the Frankfurt Motor Show - now less than two weeks away - few will proliferate quite like the new European-market Honda Civic. The Old World version of the new Civic has so far only been teased, but the company's UK competition division has already started work on the racing version that will take on the most famous circuits Great Britain has to offer.

The competition version of the new Euro Civic is being built according to the new NGTC rules employed by the British Touring Car Championship, and is currently undergoing development in conjunction with Team Dynamics. The outfit fields the old Civic, which was introduced to the BTCC back in 2007, with considerable success: the team has collected a slew of titles in the series, including the teams' and manufacturers' championships last season, and is currently sitting second and third in the current standings.

Expect the new racer to be unveiled sometime after the road car makes its debut in Frankfurt. In the meantime, Honda has released the first of a four-part video series highlighting its BTCC effort. Check it out after the jump.

Continue reading Honda Racing UK already working on NGTC-spec Civic

Honda Racing UK already working on NGTC-spec Civic originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 04 Sep 2011 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>british touring car championshipbtccciviceuro civiceuro honda civiceuropean civiceuropean honda civichondahonda civicnext generation touring carnext-generation touring carngtcteam dynamicsvideoSun, 04 Sep 2011 20:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20032769/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/04/honda-racing-uk-already-working-on-ngtc-spec-civic-w-video/20032769/article-detail.xml 20032769 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/webeuro-civic-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/webeuro-civic-630.jpg <![CDATA[Skoda Octavia slated as latest entry to join British Touring Car Championship]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/29/skoda-octavia-slated-as-latest-entry-to-join-british-touring-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/29/skoda-octavia-slated-as-latest-entry-to-join-british-touring-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/29/skoda-octavia-slated-as-latest-entry-to-join-british-touring-car/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

TH Motorsport Skoda Octavia vRS NGTC

The new entries just keep on lining up for the British Touring Car Championship, which is rapidly becoming the most varied racing series in the world. There are already 27 cars based on 13 different models from 10 different manufacturers, but now the touring car series is about to get a 28th, based on a 14th from an 11th, respectively.

The latest car set to join the BTCC grid this year is the Skoda Octavia vRS. The compact sedan from the Czech Volkswagen subsidiary is based on some very old technology, taking its underpinnings (and everything else) from the several-generatons-old VW Jetta. That doesn't seem to be deterring TH Motorsport from bringing it to the BTCC, though.

The independent team has been racing in the series since 2001, fielding everything from Mitsubishis and Hondas to Protons and Seats. It withdrew from the BTCC after last season and has been plotting its return ever since, finally settling on the Octavia which it will adapt to the new cost-effective NGTC regulations that have opened up the field to so many independents.

Matt Hamilton, who drove for the team the past two years running (and who, as far as we can tell, is of no relation to F1 champion Lewis Hamilton), will be taking the wheel of the Skoda when it's ready, but the team is considering the potential for a second car. Press release after the jump.

Continue reading Skoda Octavia slated as latest entry to join British Touring Car Championship

Skoda Octavia slated as latest entry to join British Touring Car Championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>british touring car championshipbtccngtcoctaviaskodaskoda octaviaTH Motorsport Skoda Octavia vRS NGTCtouring carFri, 29 Jul 2011 07:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20003081/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/29/skoda-octavia-slated-as-latest-entry-to-join-british-touring-car/20003081/article-detail.xml 20003081 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/th-skoda_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/th-skoda.jpg <![CDATA[Vauxhall Insignia to go racing in British Touring Car Championship]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/13/vauxhall-insignia-to-go-racing-in-british-touring-car-championsh/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/13/vauxhall-insignia-to-go-racing-in-british-touring-car-championsh/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/13/vauxhall-insignia-to-go-racing-in-british-touring-car-championsh/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Vauxhall Insignia NGTC

You go ahead and try to find a racing series with as high a participation rate as the British Touring Car Championship. With 13 different models from 10 different manufacturers covering 27 entries, the BTCC field is at an all-time high this year. But there's always room for one more.

That one more is slated to come in the form of the Vauxhall Insignia - known on these shores as the Buick Regal. Of course as General Motors' British subsidiary, Vauxhall is already well-represented on the BTCC grid. In fact, the Griffin marque has claimed six drivers' titles, six teams' titles and eight manufacturers' titles just since the turn of the millennium. But while the Astra has dominated in years past and the Vectra appears on the grid this year - to say nothing of the Chevrolet Cruze - the new addition is reportedly going a decidedly larger route by converting the Insignia into a touring car.

The project is being undertaken by Thorney Motorsport, a British tuning and racing firm that specializes in BMWs and Vauxhalls, who are tempted by the latest cost-effective Next-Generation Touring Car (NGTC) regulations. The Insignia would be the fourth NGTC-spec car on the grid, joining the Toyota Avensis, Audi A4 and Proton Gen-2 along with the ten returning S2000 and BTC-T cars.

Thorney, which operates 60 performance garages across the UK, may opt to develop its own engine or else use the spec engine package offered by series organizers TOCA. The larger form of the Insignia, the team hopes, will be offset by its low aerodynamic drag coefficient. Thorney hopes to have the car on the grid by the end of the season.

[Sources: BTCC, Autosport]

Vauxhall Insignia to go racing in British Touring Car Championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 09:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>british touring car championshipbtccbuick regalinsignianext generation touring carnext-generation touring carngtcopel insigniaregaltouring carvauxhallvauxhall insigniaWed, 13 Apr 2011 09:38:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19909298/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/13/vauxhall-insignia-to-go-racing-in-british-touring-car-championsh/19909298/article-detail.xml 19909298 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/insignia-btcc_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/insignia-btcc.jpg <![CDATA[Audi returning to BTCC with privateer A4 touring car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/15/audi-returning-to-btcc-with-privateer-a4-touring-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/15/audi-returning-to-btcc-with-privateer-a4-touring-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/15/audi-returning-to-btcc-with-privateer-a4-touring-car/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Rob Austin Racing Audi A4 touring car renderingWhile archrival BMW may be downscaling its racing program - in touring car series particularly - Audi looks to be going the other way. For evidence, we turn your attention to Exhibit A: a new entry into the British Touring Car Championship for 2011.

The two-car entry is being undertaken by Rob Austin Racing, a privateer British racing outfit taking a step up into the championship. The team has commissioned a pair of A4 touring cars to be built to by racing constructor GPR Motorsport to the BTCC's Next Generation Touring Car formula. The new regulations are aimed at reducing the cost of constructing and fielding an entry in the series, helping Audi - though entered independently from the manufacturer - become the ninth automaker represented on the grid for next season.

Testing of the new A4 NGTC is set to kick off in March, but the rendering above has been released in advance to give us an idea of what the car could look like. Follow the jump for the official announcement.

[Source: Rob Austin Racing via Autocar]

Continue reading Audi returning to BTCC with privateer A4 touring car

Audi returning to BTCC with privateer A4 touring car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 09:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a4audiaudi a4audi a4 touring carBritish Touring Car Championshipbtccngtcrob austin racingtouring carWed, 15 Dec 2010 09:38:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19759820/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/15/audi-returning-to-btcc-with-privateer-a4-touring-car/19759820/article-detail.xml 19759820 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/robaustin-a4-btcc_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/robaustin-a4-btcc.jpg <![CDATA[Ford announces Touring Car motorsport program for new Focus]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/08/ford-announces-touring-car-motorsport-program-for-new-focus/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/08/ford-announces-touring-car-motorsport-program-for-new-focus/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/08/ford-announces-touring-car-motorsport-program-for-new-focus/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


2012 Ford Focus ST touring car - Click above for high-res image gallery

Few automakers have the deep history in motor racing as Ford. But these days the Blue Oval isn't fielding much in the way of factory works racing teams, opting instead to support independent campaigns and privateers. Plenty of race-ready packages are available for the Mustang, the Fiesta just joined the fold with a new rally package and now the new Focus is jumping in on the action as well.

Ford is using the upcoming Focus ST as the basis for an adaptable touring car program, working with teams that will be campaigning it in series around the world. First up will be the British Touring Car Championship, with further forays planned to follow in the China Touring Car Championship and the Nürburgring 24-hour race. Although development will be carried out largely by the participating teams, they'll have access to Ford technology and expertise, while Ford inversely plans to use the program to benefit the development of the Focus production car.

The touring car is being developed in accordance with the FIA's Super 2000 regulations, a platform from which Ford figures the Focus could easily be adopted for use in other categories as well, including the BTCC's Next Generation Touring Car. Few details on the car's specifications have been revealed beyond that, but you can read the full announcement after the jump while scoping out the pair of images in the gallery below.


Gallery: 2012 Ford Focus ST touring car


[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford announces Touring Car motorsport program for new Focus

Ford announces Touring Car motorsport program for new Focus originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Nov 2010 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>british touring car championshipbtccfordford focusford focus stford focus touring carnext generation touring carngtcsuper 2000touring cartouring car championshipMon, 08 Nov 2010 18:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19706253/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/11/08/ford-announces-touring-car-motorsport-program-for-new-focus/19706253/article-detail.xml 19706253 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/focustc-630op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/focustc-630op.jpg <![CDATA[Next-Generation Toyota Avensis Touring Car previewed in sketches]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/14/next-generation-toyota-avensis-touring-car-previewed-in-sketches/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/14/next-generation-toyota-avensis-touring-car-previewed-in-sketches/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/14/next-generation-toyota-avensis-touring-car-previewed-in-sketches/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Toyota Avensis touring car sketch
Toyota Avensis Next Generation Touring Car - Click above for high-res sketches

You've seen NASCAR's Car of Tomorrow - now meet its British counterpart. Based on the Toyota Avensis, this Next Generation Touring Car is the first of a new breed of cars set to take over the British Touring Car Championship starting next season.

Although Toyota isn't competing in the series with a works team, it has supplied the donor car and body shell to GPR Motorsport to use as the basis for its new touring car, built to revised BTCC regulations. The Avensis is, after all, a British-built car - one that enjoys broad sales success in the UK and across Europe.

The Avensis NGTC will make its debut at the last round of this season's championship on October 9 at Brands Hatch, where two-time BTCC champion James Thompson will take the wheel. In the meantime, click below to view the first sketches of how the new contender will look, or follow the jump for the full press release.


Gallery: Toyota Avensis Next Generation Touring Car


[Source: GPR Motorsport]

Continue reading Next-Generation Toyota Avensis Touring Car previewed in sketches

Next-Generation Toyota Avensis Touring Car previewed in sketches originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avensisBritish Touring Car Championshipbtccgprgpr motorsportnext generation touring carngtctouring cartouring car championshiptouring car racingtouring carsTouringCartoyotatoyota avensisTue, 14 Sep 2010 16:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19632656/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/09/14/next-generation-toyota-avensis-touring-car-previewed-in-sketches/19632656/article-detail.xml 19632656 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/web630-61632toyotathreefourveiw_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/web630-61632toyotathreefourveiw.jpg <![CDATA[Fiat previews updated Abarth Punto Evo, touring car to follow?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/26/fiat-previews-updated-abarth-punto-evo-touring-car-to-follow/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/26/fiat-previews-updated-abarth-punto-evo-touring-car-to-follow/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/26/fiat-previews-updated-abarth-punto-evo-touring-car-to-follow/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Where there's smoke, there's fire. So it was natural to expect that, with the debut of the mildly facelifted Fiat Punto Evo and its smoked headlights, we might expect an updated version of the fire-breathing Abarth to go with it. And this, according to reports, is our first look at just such a hot hatch.

A revised fascia isn't the only change the new Abarth Punto Evo brings to the table. Confirming earlier reports, the new Scorpion will get a bump in power from 155 horsepower to 170, thanks to the use of Fiat's new MultiAir engine technology. But that's just the base Abarth. The even hotter EsseEsse model is tipped to have 200 hp on tap, perfect for doing battle with the recently revised Clio Renaultsport 200. The use of Fiat's new dual-clutch gearbox is also reportedly in the mix, along with some LED lighting.

In a related development, Scottish racing team If Motorsport is reported to be considering bringing the Punto Abarth into the British Touring Car Championship. The adoption of new, low-cost NGTC rules for the 2011 series is the impetus, and if recent competition-spec Abarth machines are anything to go by, the BTCC could have a real thrasher on its hands.

[Source: Cardisiac via rmpgo.com, Autosport]

Fiat previews updated Abarth Punto Evo, touring car to follow? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abarthabarth btccabarth puntoabarth punto evoAbarthBtccAbarthPuntoAbarthPuntoEvoBritish Touring Car ChampionshipBritishTouringCarChampionshipbtccfiatfiat abarthfiat punto evofiat punto evo abarthFiatAbarthFiatPuntoEvoFiatPuntoEvoAbarthgrande puntogrande punto abarthGrandePuntoGrandePuntoAbarthif motorsportIfMotorsportmulti airMultiAirngtcpuntopunto evoPuntoEvoTue, 26 Jan 2010 07:56:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19320561/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/01/26/fiat-previews-updated-abarth-punto-evo-touring-car-to-follow/19320561/article-detail.xml 19320561 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/abarth-punto-evo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/abarth-punto-evo.jpg -1 2