The latest Honda Civic Type R is proving to be among the best front-wheel-drive performance cars on the market, as the Japanese carmaker puts the hot hatchback on a variety of tests.
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To affirm its capabilities once again, Honda’s new Civic Type R hatchback holds the lap record around France’s Magny-Cours Grand Prix circuit for front-drive production cars. FIA World Touring Car Cup driver Esteban Guerrieri lapped the 2.73-mile (4.4-kilometer) track in 2:01.51.
The Civic Type R that Guerrieri drove was a production-spec example with road-legal tires. It was in the European tune with 316 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque, as opposed to the 306 hp version in the United States.
Honda’s next goal is to set similar records at four more European circuits: Estoril in Portugal, Hungaroring in Hungary, Silverstone in England, and Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. The company has quite a talented driver lineup to attempt to set these quick lap times, including former Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button, World Touring Car Cup driver Tiago Monteiro, Super GT racer Bertrand Baguette, and British Touring Car Championship star Matt Neal.
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Even if the these drivers can’t take the Civic Type R on record-setting runs, Honda can still feel proud that the Civic Type R holds the fastest front-drive production car record around the Nürburgring Nordschleife from a lap in 7:43.8, which is a full 5.41 seconds faster than the previous record holder, the VW GTI Clubsport.
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
