The Honda Civic Type R has set a new lap record for front-wheel drive production car at Britain’s Silverstone race circuit. Earlier it was also crowned as fastest production front-drive hatchback at French Magny-Cours and Belgium’s Spa-Francorchamps race circuit.
Related: Honda Civic Type R is the Fastest Front-Wheel-Drive Car at Magny-Cours
Driven by three-times British Touring Car Championship winner Matt Neal, the Civic Type R set a new lap record of 2:31.32, beating the previous record that was, coincidentally, set by the previous-gen Civic Type R over the 5.89km race circuit.
Commenting on its performance, its Driver Matt Neal said:
“Where I found the real advantage of the Type R was really in the high-speed corners – the stability which is a combination of the aero and the new advanced suspension system. Into corners like Copse and Stowe at the end of the Hangar straight, you can carry big entry speed with supreme confidence.”
Back in April 2017, the current generation Honda Civic Type R became the fastest front-wheel drive production car ever around the Nurburgring, setting a lap time of 7:43.80.
Related: 2017 Honda Civic Type R Captures Nurburgring Lap Record
Powering the Type R is a 2.0-liter VTEC Turbo engine under its hood, which churns our 310 hp and 400 Nm of torque. This helps the Type R hit 100km/h in 5.7 seconds and tops out at 272km/h.
Matt Neal added on the Type R’s performance:
“There isn’t just one point that makes this Type R the best in its class – it’s across the board. It’s a completely new platform from its predecessors from the ground up, and Honda have scrutinized and improved every area from the stability of the handling with the multi-link suspension, the aero, the centre of gravity which is lower, it’s wider, it’s longer, the feedback the driver gets through the steering, the power delivery of the engine – it’s a step forward in every direction.”
With another record in the books, the Type R firmly remains the benchmark of Honda and its motorsport heritage. According to the Japanese automaker it has plans to break more lap records at other undisclosed circuits in future.
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
