The Honda Civic Type R keeps breaking records on Europe's legendary circuits

The compact segment is one of the most fiercely contested of all segments, if not the most fiercely contested. Practically every brand has a model in this class and, moreover, the C segment is the best-selling one in Europe. Therefore, mainstream and Premium manufacturers must try to outdo their rivals, seeking a good balance of price, quality and equipment.

Within this C segment there is a very special niche, which enjoyed its golden age in the 1990s. Although sporty compacts are no longer what they once were, the battle between most brands is still ongoing. A year ago the Honda Civic Type R debuted, becoming the most powerful front-wheel-drive compact in the sector thanks to its 2-litre turbo engine producing 310 horsepower.

A few months before it was presented live and in person, the Civic Type R underwent a tough test on one of the most spectacular and dangerous circuits in the world, the old Nürburgring. There it was crowned as the front-wheel-drive car that had taken the least time to complete a lap of the legendary “Green Hell”.

Recently, Honda has wanted to repeat this achievement on other renowned European tracks, and has succeeded. The Honda Civic Type R has been the fastest production car on five of the most famous circuits on the old continent, with the brand’s drivers competing in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) at the wheel.

The first session took place in April at Britain’s Silverstone. Matt Neal took the wheel, but luck was not on their side, as the day was rainy, and he set a time of 2 minutes and 44 seconds. A few days later they returned to the track and this time achieved their goal, lapping in 2 minutes and 31 seconds.

In May the brand’s team travelled to Belgium to set a good lap at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Rob Huff took the wheel there and stopped the clock at 2 minutes and 56 seconds.

Five renowned circuits, to which the old Nürburgring must be added. The third track chosen for the Japanese sports car to make its mark was the very fast Monza, in Italy. On this occasion it was Hungarian Norbert Michelisz who was tasked with flying round the Italian track, achieving a lap of 2 minutes and 15 seconds.

For the fourth session, the brand’s driver who was supposed to push the Civic Type R to its limits at Estoril was Tiago Monteiro, but a fairly serious accident prevented him from getting behind the wheel. Bruno Correia, the driver of the WTCC safety car, then took over. With little time to test the car, he completed a lap in 2 minutes and 4 seconds.

The final stage of this record hunt came in early June at the Hungaroring circuit in Hungary. Norbert Michelisz got back into the production Type R to stop the clock at 2 minutes and 10 seconds.

In this way, the Civic Type R can now boast that it is not only the fastest front-wheel-drive production car on the old Nürburgring circuit, but also on five other iconic tracks in Europe.

Source | Honda

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackHonda Civic3 versions · from 36,300 €