Latest Japanese hot hatch claims front-drive lap record at Green Hell
The banzai new 2023 Honda Civic Type R has officially become the fastest front-drive production vehicle to lap the punishing Nurburgring road course in Germany.
Setting a blistering pace around the Green Hell, the new Type R – which is sold out until 2024 following its local launch earlier this month – set a lap time of 7:44.881, besting the Renault Megane RS Trophy-R’s 2019 lap record of 7:45.399.
Check out the full tyre-screeching YouTube video of the hot lap at the bottom of the page.
Widely regarded as one of the most challenging circuits in the world, the almost 21km Nurburgring Nordschleife is the ultimate benchmark for high-performance vehicles and snatching bragging rights as the fastest front-drive vehicle at the circuit is a very big deal.
The Japanese-built Honda Civic Type R is one of the most expensive front-drive hot hatches ever released, priced at $72,600 drive-away, but that’s done little to deter buyers eager to acquire what is set to be the last non-electrified Civic Type R.
Powered by Honda’s potent 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine (235kW/420Nm), codenamed K20C1 and matched exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, the Type R offers a claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time of 5.4 seconds a top speed of 275km/h.
The FL5-series Civic Type R achieved the lap time fitted with optional Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres – Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S rubber is fitted as standard.
Rusted-on CTR addicts might be scratching their chins and questioning the 2017 Nurburgring lap time of 7:43.80, set by the previous generation FK8 Civic Type R. But due to an official change in the Nurburgring Nordschleife lap distance back in 2019 – longer by 225 metres – lap times have dipped slightly.
Simply put, any lap times that were set before the 2019 regulations changed cannot be compared to lap times set since then. It is confounding but ultimately the new Civic Type R is a faster vehicle than its predecessor – and any other front-drive production car.
The latest lap record means the Civic Type R now holds lap records at two racetracks, the Nürburgring and the Suzuka circuit in Japan. It set a time of 2:23.120 at the latter, shaving several tenths off its predecessor’s 2:23.993.
Honda Civic Type R development leader, Hideki Kakinuma, said: “Six years after the lap record was set by the previous-generation Civic Type R, we reached this new dimension as a result of all of the passions we poured in and all the advancements we made for this Type R model.
“Finally, our wish to share this title with all Type R fans all around the world came true.
“We sincerely hope that all current and prospective owners of the Type R will enjoy and love their vehicle with the pride we share with you,” he said.
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Keyword: New Honda Civic Type R set Nurburgring record