A Thought Occurred To Me Earlier

"Mikeado" (mikeado) 08/21/2013 at 06:51 • Filed to: Honda, Super GT, BTCC, Touring Cars

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I wonder if the 2.0 turbo four used in the new NSX Concept GT500 is the same basic engine as the 2.0 turbo four in the Civic BTCC car? They sound about the same, apart from the NSX revving higher and having more exhaust popping and turbo chatter as it's making nearly double the power (550bhp vs 300 or so). It would make sense, right? Why bother starting afresh when you have a similar racing engine already?

le video:

I honestly can't find a good video of just the Civic touring car. It's really annoying...

Bakkster, touring car driver > Mikeado 08/21/2013 at 08:53

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They might be basing them off the same block, or at least using the Civic as a starting point. It's a lot of power to gain without some changes, though, unless Honda really overbuilt the engine originally.

It is interesting seeing the 2.0L turbo 4 format, there was talk of that becoming the global racing engine template. If it meant cheaper engines and more teams competing, I'm all for it in any formula where it makes sense.

Mikeado > Bakkster, touring car driver 08/21/2013 at 10:08

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Yeah, I wouldn't think they could just turn up the boost a notch and change the exhaust to get that much, but I bet they're directly related in some way.

Supposedly by 2017, DTM, SUPER GT and GrandAm will all be racing under the same rules, so the three regions could field cars in all three series. If that did happen and we had grids with as much as 7 or 9 manufacturers in, that would be awesome.

Bakkster, touring car driver > Mikeado 08/21/2013 at 10:35

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Well, the rumor is that there will be a US series running the same rules as DTM and GT500 is SuperGT. It won't be adding to the Grand-Am series (which is disappearing next year anyway, merging with ALMS) as it stands, it would be a separate 'super silhouette' series just like DTM. Personally, I'm relatively skeptical that it will actually happen, the rules package is just so expensive it requires OEMs to field teams, and I don't think the payoff is there because I don't expect the viewer numbers to be marketable. Current rumors are at least one US OEM would need to field a team, and none of them have the cash without ending a current program.

But yes, the global engine formula is meant to allow a single base engine, perhaps with different upgrade packages based on whether it's in a touring car, formula car, or endurance sports car. That means less manufacturing and R&D costs. Lots of rumors over pushing for this engine in other categories, Super Formula (the old Formula Nippon) is also going 2.0L turbo-4 next year. If they can make the engines scalable enough there's no reason they can't be present in everything from touring cars to prototypes to national formula cars with nothing more than rev and boost limits.

ScootScoot > Mikeado 08/21/2013 at 15:07

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