Speaking at the launch of the Honda Civic Tourer, UK MD Phil Crossman argues that the brand has to be in racing, whether it’s bikes or touring cars.

“Touring car fans, like bike fans, are fanatics and our new race car uses the same bodyshell as the road car; it’s really something we need to make more of,” said Crossman.

The Honda Civic Tourer arrives with either a 1.8 i-VTEC petrol engine of 142PS or the 1.6 i-DTEC diesel with 120PS.

Not surprisingly the diesel is expected to be substantially more popular with business buyers because of its 74mpg and company car tax beating emissions of 99g/km.

Just don’t expect the Honda Civic Tourer race team to be giving up its petrol engines just yet…