Following the record-setting lap set by the Honda Civic Type R FL5 at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan last year, the hot hatch has delivered yet another impressive track performance. This time, the vehicle set a new lap record time of 7:44.881 at the Nürburgring Nordschleife race track, also known as “Green Hell” in Germany.
2023 Honda Civic Type R Sets New Front-Wheel Drive Nürburgring Track Record
The new lap record falls under the category belonging to front-wheel drive (FWD) cars. Honda’s hot hatch thus reclaims the throne as the FWD king as it bested the Renault Megane R.S. Trophy-R, which in turn clocked a 7:45.389 lap time back in 2019.
Note that the Civic Type R FL5 and the Megane RS Type-R’s lap times were set on a full lap of the Nordschleife including the short Sabine Schmitz Kurve (formerly known as T13) grandstand section, which is 20.832 km long.
Honda Civic Type R FL5
Previously, the Civic Type R FK8 took on the shorter 20.6-km track length configuration that excludes the Sabine Schmitz Kurve with a 7:43.8 lap time in 2017.
The new record-setting Civic Type R FL5 was fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect tires jointly developed with Michelin. These are said to improve the vehicle’s performance by improving dry grip and well-balanced handling.
The new FWD king of the Green Hell
Propelling the hot hatch around the track was a 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo VTEC engine that produces varying power figures depending on the market. While the Philippine-spec Civic Type R makes 316 horsepower and 420 Nm of torque, the JDM-spec version claims to deliver 325 horsepower.
“Six years after the lap record was set by the previous-generation Civic Type R (FK8), we reached this 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,” said Civic Type R Development Leader Hideki Kakinuma.
“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,” added Kakinuma.
The latest on the Civic Type R in the Philippine market is Honda Cars Philippines, Inc.’s (HCPI) plan to bring in the second batch consisting of around 80 units. This is almost twice the number of the first batch at 39 limited units.
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