This is how the record of the new Honda Civic Type R compares with that of its predecessor

The tenth generation of the Honda Civic Type R is officially the fastest front-wheel-drive production vehicle around the Nürburgring circuit. The Japanese compact completed the famous circuit in 7 minutes and 43.8 seconds, which represents an improvement of almost seven seconds over its predecessor.

In the following video we can see how the new version (2017) compares with the old one (2014) on the “Green Hell”; it should be remembered that the previous model also held the front-wheel-drive record at the “Ring” until the Golf Clubsport S took it away from it a few months later.

As we can see, the differences between the two are small but consistent, which confirms that the mechanical improvements introduced by the new model translate into a real and objective performance gain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sPSlW4EEe4

The tenth generation Type R features the two-litre TURBO VTEC engine, which has been optimised to produce 320 CV of power 10 CV more than its predecessor and 400 Nm of torque. The new Japanese compact weighs 16 kg less than its predecessor and offers 38% more torsional rigidity. The gear ratio of the six-speed manual gearbox has been shortened, which translates into faster acceleration. Furthermore, the aerodynamic structure of the new Type R offers greater stability at high speeds.

Ryuichi Kijima, the chief chassis engineer of the Honda Civic Type R, said the following about the improvements the new model makes at the Nürburgring compared with the previous-generation car: “The cornering speed achieved with the new Type R is higher because the car has wider tyres and track width, a longer wheelbase, a new multi-link rear suspension and optimised aerodynamics that improve stability. Drivers typically enter the corner after the Metzgesfeld section at around 150 km/h. Even in this medium-speed corner, the speed is now about 10 km/h higher compared with its predecessor. With better cornering performance, we can carry more speed along the course, which helps the new Type R achieve a much faster lap time.”

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackHonda Civic3 versions · from 36,300 €