Honda’s most extreme Type R yet, the Civic Type R Limited Edition has set a new 2 mins 23.993 secs lap record for a front-wheel drive car at the world-renowned Suzuka Circuit in Japan.
The Suzuka Circuit is a 5.8 km track famous for its high-speed chicanes and challenging corners, incorporated in a 'figure eight' layout that includes a long 1.2 km back straight that passes over an earlier part of the circuit. With its lightweight components, suspension and steering upgrades, and a stripped-back, driver-focused interior, the Civic Type R Limited Edition has pushed the boundaries of what’s possible from front wheel drive, on one of the most demanding tracks in motorsport.
Widely regarded as a highlight in the F1 calendar, Suzuka has been an important test bed for developing performance Honda vehicles and engines since 1962. It was built on the instruction of company founder and president, Soichiro Honda, who famously said: "Automobiles cannot be improved if they are not put through their paces on the racing circuit."
The record-breaking lap was achieved by a Type R Limited Edition development car as it underwent its final performance evaluation in February 2020. The development car featured the same technical specifications representative of the production version, with no modifications or performance enhancements. The Type R Limited Edition is on sale across Europe now.
Just 100 of the Type R Limited Edition will be built for Europe, each benefitting from the standard Type R's outstanding driving dynamics and performance. The new Limited Edition features lightweight 20-inch forged BBS alloy wheels with high grip Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 tyres. These are designed exclusively for outstanding circuit performance but still deliver exceptional on-road performance, whilst providing a 10kg weight saving.
Modified dampers optimise this new wheel and tyre combination and, together with recalibrated steering, offer maximum control and feedback. The Adaptive Damper System’s control software now evaluates road conditions faster, resulting in improved damper reactions for both better handling response and ride quality.
The Suzuka Circuit is a 5.8 km track famous for its high-speed chicanes and challenging corners, incorporated in a 'figure eight' layout that includes a long 1.2 km back straight that passes over an earlier part of the circuit. With its lightweight components, suspension and steering upgrades, and a stripped-back, driver-focused interior, the Civic Type R Limited Edition has pushed the boundaries of what’s possible from front wheel drive, on one of the most demanding tracks in motorsport.
Widely regarded as a highlight in the F1 calendar, Suzuka has been an important test bed for developing performance Honda vehicles and engines since 1962. It was built on the instruction of company founder and president, Soichiro Honda, who famously said: "Automobiles cannot be improved if they are not put through their paces on the racing circuit."
The record-breaking lap was achieved by a Type R Limited Edition development car as it underwent its final performance evaluation in February 2020. The development car featured the same technical specifications representative of the production version, with no modifications or performance enhancements. The Type R Limited Edition is on sale across Europe now.
Just 100 of the Type R Limited Edition will be built for Europe, each benefitting from the standard Type R's outstanding driving dynamics and performance. The new Limited Edition features lightweight 20-inch forged BBS alloy wheels with high grip Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 tyres. These are designed exclusively for outstanding circuit performance but still deliver exceptional on-road performance, whilst providing a 10kg weight saving.
Modified dampers optimise this new wheel and tyre combination and, together with recalibrated steering, offer maximum control and feedback. The Adaptive Damper System’s control software now evaluates road conditions faster, resulting in improved damper reactions for both better handling response and ride quality.
The new Limited Edition model retains the Type R’s powerful 2.0-litre VTEC Turbo engine. Peak power output is 320PS at 6,500 rpm and peak torque is 400 Nm from 2,500 rpm to 4,500 rpm. 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) is achieved in 5.7 seconds.
The striking Type R Limited Edition will be available in an exclusive new colour, Sunlight Yellow, and will feature an exclusive dark chrome Civic badge on the rear hatch and a contrasting gloss black roof. Gloss black wing mirrors and an intake vent on the bonnet complete its aggressive styling.
The interior of the flagship Civic Type R Limited Edition echoes Honda's sporting bloodline with red bucket seats and a plaque marking the build number of the car. The Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel and a newly designed teardrop style gear knob provides the driver with a greater sense of oneness with the Type R even on the highly technical Suzuka Circuit. The track-focused nature of the car means the infotainment and air conditioning systems are omitted to save weight, but the rear seats remain to ensure that that the Limited Edition retains the everyday usability for which the Civic is renowned. The new tyres and wheels, together with new lightweight components and a stripped-back interior all contribute to a 47kg weight reduction compared to the Type R GT variant.
In addition to the new Limited Edition, the Civic Type R range has been extended to include a Sport Line variant that combines outstanding performance with a stealthier design and increased comfort. All models in the new Type R lineup, including the standard GT, have been upgraded for 2020, offering drivers many of the same performance enhancements that helped the Limited Edition achieve its record-breaking lap around the Suzuka Circuit.
These enhancements include the upgraded braking system, with two-piece floating front brake discs and new brake pads, which increases the car’s capabilities during high intensity driving. Meanwhile, the suspension set-up and Adaptive Damper System have also been improved across all Type R models for more responsive, sharper handling and improved ride quality.
Honda's tenth generation Civic Type R GT broke the front-wheel drive lap record at the Nurburgring Nordschliefe in 2017 with a lap time of 7 minutes 43.8 seconds. Following this success, a production specification Civic Type R GT went on to break front wheel drive production car records at five legendary European racetracks with Honda racing stars behind the wheel.
The striking Type R Limited Edition will be available in an exclusive new colour, Sunlight Yellow, and will feature an exclusive dark chrome Civic badge on the rear hatch and a contrasting gloss black roof. Gloss black wing mirrors and an intake vent on the bonnet complete its aggressive styling.
The interior of the flagship Civic Type R Limited Edition echoes Honda's sporting bloodline with red bucket seats and a plaque marking the build number of the car. The Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel and a newly designed teardrop style gear knob provides the driver with a greater sense of oneness with the Type R even on the highly technical Suzuka Circuit. The track-focused nature of the car means the infotainment and air conditioning systems are omitted to save weight, but the rear seats remain to ensure that that the Limited Edition retains the everyday usability for which the Civic is renowned. The new tyres and wheels, together with new lightweight components and a stripped-back interior all contribute to a 47kg weight reduction compared to the Type R GT variant.
In addition to the new Limited Edition, the Civic Type R range has been extended to include a Sport Line variant that combines outstanding performance with a stealthier design and increased comfort. All models in the new Type R lineup, including the standard GT, have been upgraded for 2020, offering drivers many of the same performance enhancements that helped the Limited Edition achieve its record-breaking lap around the Suzuka Circuit.
These enhancements include the upgraded braking system, with two-piece floating front brake discs and new brake pads, which increases the car’s capabilities during high intensity driving. Meanwhile, the suspension set-up and Adaptive Damper System have also been improved across all Type R models for more responsive, sharper handling and improved ride quality.
Honda's tenth generation Civic Type R GT broke the front-wheel drive lap record at the Nurburgring Nordschliefe in 2017 with a lap time of 7 minutes 43.8 seconds. Following this success, a production specification Civic Type R GT went on to break front wheel drive production car records at five legendary European racetracks with Honda racing stars behind the wheel.
