For over a year now, Honda has teased higher-performance models with a stronger link to the brand's motor racing activities. The company has shown concept vehicles based on the current Prelude and Civic Type R, which have already generated excitement among fans.
To answer some of the questions surrounding these models, three HRC executives took part in events around the 24 Hours of Daytona this past weekend. Koji Watanabe, president of the global Honda Racing Corporation, revealed that development of the Type R concept is already crossing over with the motorsports side of HRC.
The company aims to connect its road cars to its racing activities through various means, including shared suppliers and advanced simulation systems. The Integra HRC prototype was seen at Daytona wearing a new forged aluminum wheel that would look familiar to a fan of the Acura ARX-06.
This is one way Honda wants to bridge the gap between its road-going and racing elements. The structure of the modern iteration of Honda leaves plenty of room for further expansion, with applications of lessons learned from racing potentially leading to faster, more efficient, and more enjoyable Hondas throughout the company's lineup.
Programs in IMSA GTP, Formula 1, Super GT, IndyCar, off-road racing, and various motorcycle disciplines are all current focuses. Honda has notably not committed to continue its IndyCar involvement, but recent developments have shown enthusiasm for the series.
The company plans to keep showcasing its HRC division by racing around the world, with a focus on connecting its road cars to its racing activities.
As we see more direct connections between Honda's road cars and its racing activities, it's clear that the brand is committed to creating a seamless experience for enthusiasts. With advanced simulation systems and shared suppliers, Honda is well on its way to bridging the gap between its performance parts division and its motorsports side.
