The 2017 Honda Civic Type R has claimed the title of world's fastest production front-wheel-drive (FWD) production car, setting a new benchmark lap time at Germany's legendary Nürburgring. On April 3, a Civic Type R lapped the 12.9-mile Nordschleife (north loop) in a record 7 minutes 43.80 seconds - an improvement of nearly 7 seconds compared to the previous-generation (European market) Type R, and over 3 seconds faster than the previous FWD record.
Multiple factors contribute to the new Civic Type R's benchmark time including its high-performance 2.0-liter VTEC Turbo engine with peak output of 306 hp and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. The six-speed manual transmission with new, lower gear ratios further improves the car's acceleration, while the new Type R's comprehensive aerodynamic package delivers outstanding high-speed stability with an optimal balance between aerodynamic stability and drag.
The highly rigid body of the new Civic Type R is over 35 lbs. lighter than the previous-generation (European market) model, and boasts a 38-percent gain in torsional stiffness. The 10th-generation Civic platform's new multi-link rear suspension enhances stability under braking and reduces the total roll movement of the car, enabling later braking into corners and helping to achieve higher cornering speeds during the lap.
The pre-production development Civic Type R that achieved the lap time was technically representative of production specification. A full floating roll cage was installed for safety reasons, but did not provide any additional rigidity to the body frame. The extra weight of the cage was compensated for by the removal of the Display Audio system and rear seats. It was using street legal, track-focused tires.
Production of the new Civic Type R began in March 2017 at Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) in Swindon, England - the global manufacturing hub for the tenth generation Civic hatchback.
