Honda Civic Type R sets FWD Nürburgring record (again)
Not only is the FL5 Civic Type R the most engaging hot hatch on the market, it’s also now the fastest in its class around the Green Hell
The new FL5 Honda Civic Type R has proven to be an outstanding performer on the road, but now it’s gone one step further with a record-breaking Nürburgring lap. Late last month, Honda tackled the Green Hell using an unmodified Type R, achieving a time of 7:44.881 to dethrone Renault Sport’s Mégane RS Trophy-R as the world’s fastest production FWD car around the iconic circuit.
This new time puts it only five tenths ahead of the Trophy-R, but with the Mégane a hardcore, £72,000 special, it’s an impressive feat nonetheless. In 2017, Honda took to the ’Ring in the FK8-generation Type R, achieving a time of 7:43.8 on the shorter layout – since 2019, all official records have taken place on the full 12.92 mile (20,832m) lap.
Civic Type R Large Project Leader, Hideki Kakinuma, said: ‘Since the launch of the Civic Type R in 2022, we have received numerous positive responses globally, far exceeding our expectations, but there was one more mission that we had to challenge - to be the fastest FWD model on the Nürburgring.’
The FL5 Civic Type R utilises Honda’s K20C1 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, sending 324bhp and 310lb ft to the front wheels – this is enough for a 5.4sec 0-62mph time under the right conditions, with top speed set at 170mph. While these numbers aren’t drastically different to its FK8 predecessor, changes to its chassis and aerodynamics are what give it the edge.
Tweaks to the underbody with new, complex aerodynamic elements, alongside a more aggressive rear wing help to provide greater stability at speed. The wheelbase has also seen an increase of 35mm over the previous car, with multi-link suspension and a widened track at the rear also contributing to a bump in performance.
While the car that undertook the record-breaking lap was an unmodified, production-spec FL5 Civic Type R, Honda has revealed that it was a Type R ‘S grade’, an upcoming, lighter variant equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect tyres. While a launch date is yet to be announced, it won’t be coming to the UK; it’s destined only for LHD European markets.
