FK8 Honda Civic Type R sets new record at Silverstone

It’s three for three as the FK8 Honda Civic Type R has managed to set a new front-wheel drive lap record at the Silverstone GP circuit in the United Kingdom. This comes following records set at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium as well as the Magny-Cours GP circuit in France, as part of the Type R Challenge 2018.

The Civic Type R was piloted by three-time British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) winner Matt Neal, who managed to set a blistering time of two minutes 31.32 seconds, beating the benchmark set by the previous generation Civic Type R (FK2) in 2016. Neal is pretty familiar with the Civic Type R, as he is currently campaigning one himself in the 2018 BTCC with Halfords Yuasa Racing.

A well-known track, Silverstone features fast straights and high-speed corners, combined with more technical sections that demand pinpoint placement of the car along the 5.89-km course. Honda says the symbiotic relationship between the 2.0 litre VTEC Turbo, handling setup and aero package were all integral to setting the record.

“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,” Neal said.

“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 scrutinised 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,” he added.

GALLERY: FK8 Honda Civic Type R

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.