The Honda Civic Type R has broken Renault’s strangehold on the unofficial lap record for a front-wheel drive car around the Nürburgring.
This video shows a development Type R lapping the Ring in 7 minutes 50.63 seconds. Interestingly, the claim was recorded in May 2014, around the same time as Renault took the record back from Seat.
It’s amazing that Honda has been able to keep that lap time quiet for so long. News of this lap has been published to coincide with the debut of the production-ready Civic Type R in Geneva this week.
Honda says it will send a production Civic Type R back to the Ring with a view to matching or bettering the time achieved by this development model.
In the meantime you can checkout the screechy lap record after the break.
Sub-8 minute lap times by FWD cars
- 7:50.63 – Honda Civic Type R
- 7:54.36 – Renault Megane RS 275 Trophy R
- 7:58.44 – Seat Lean Cupra 280
New Honda Civic Type R throws down Nürburgring gauntlet
- Honda announces Nürburgring lap time for Civic Type R development car
- 7 minutes 50.63 seconds lap time is unmatched in the front-wheel drive hot hatch class
- Lap time achieved in development car with technical specifications representative of the final production car
At the world premiere of its all-new Civic Type R at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show (5 – 15 March; Stand 4250, Hall 4), Honda announced that a development car had achieved a 7 minutes 50.63 seconds lap time of the legendary 20.8 km/12.9 mile Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany.
This time is unmatched by any other front-wheel drive performance hatchback.
The lap time was achieved during the final phase of pre-production testing in May 2014 by a Civic Type R development car. The development car was in a standard state of engine tune, with suspension, drivetrain, exhaust, brakes and the aerodynamic package identical to those of the production Civic Type R.
The removal of equipment such as air conditioning, the front passenger seat and audio equipment offset the additional weight of a full roll cage (installed specifically for safety reasons and not to add rigidity).
During the test cycle, the development car used production-specification high-rigidity 19-inch alloy wheels. these were fitted with 235/35R19 road tyres being developed in conjunction with a major European tyre manufacturer especially for the new Civic Type R. The test cycle during which the 7 minutes 50.63 seconds lap time was achieved was part of the tyre’s development and testing process.
Honda has now vowed to follow up this achievement by sending a production Civic Type R around the Nürburgring Nordschleife later this year with the aim of setting a new lap record for a front-wheel drive production car.
Highlights of the latest generation in Honda’s cult car dynasty is a world-first application of Honda’s new 2.0 litre VTEC TURBO engine, aggressive function-led styling, and advanced new chassis technologies, combining to deliver one of the most immersive and rewarding driving experiences available in any sector.
The new Civic Type R goes on sale across Europe in summer 2015.
