Last year, the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S dethroned the Honda Civic Type R (CTR) to become the new “FWD King of the ‘Ring.” Not content with being second best, Honda brought its new Civic Type R to the Nurburgring on April 3, 2017 to reclaim the title from the hot Golf – by setting a blistering time of 7 minutes 43.80 seconds.
By comparison, the Golf managed a time of 7 minutes and 47.19 seconds, which makes the CTR about three seconds quicker. Meanwhile, the previous CTR clocked a time of 7 minutes 50.63 seconds, making the new one nearly seven seconds quicker around the 20.76 km track.
As you’d expect, Honda has included official VBox footage of its record attempt to validate its claims, along with an old vs new video. The carmaker also provided a list of factors that contributed to the hot hatch’s record time, starting with the 2.0 litre VTEC Turbo four-cylinder mill that now offers 320 PS and 400 Nm of torque.
New, lower gear ratios for the six-speed manual transmission; a revised aerodynamic package; a more rigid and lighter body; as well as new multi-link rear suspension on the tenth-generation Civic’s platform, allowed the CTR to increase its speed throughout the lap compared to its predecessor.
Honda also explained that the record-attempt vehicle had a full roll cage installed for safety reasons, but did not increase the body’s rigidity in any way. The added weight from the roll cage was compensated by removing the car’s Display Audio system and rear seats. The car was using street legal, track-focused tires during its record attempt.
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- 2017 Honda Civic Type R sets new lap record at the Nürburgring
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- 2017 Honda Civic Type R sets new lap record at the Nürburgring
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- 2017 Honda Civic Type R sets new lap record at the Nürburgring
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- 2017 Honda Civic Type R sets new lap record at the Nürburgring
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- 2017 Honda Civic Type R sets new lap record at the Nürburgring
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- 2017 Honda Civic Type R sets new lap record at the Nürburgring
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- 2017 Honda Civic Type R sets new lap record at the Nürburgring
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- 2017 Honda Civic Type R sets new lap record at the Nürburgring
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- 2017 Honda Civic Type R sets new lap record at the Nürburgring
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- 2017 Honda Civic Type R sets new lap record at the Nürburgring
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- 2017 Honda Civic Type R sets new lap record at the Nürburgring
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- 2017 Honda Civic Type R sets new lap record at the Nürburgring
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- 2017 Honda Civic Type R sets new lap record at the Nürburgring
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- 2017 Honda Civic Type R sets new lap record at the Nürburgring
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next round GTi will come back and reclaim title…. with 7 minutes and 35 secs time.
To me, GTI already won. Simply because GTI did not sacrifice its pedigree of being a fun yet comfortable and practical day-to-day car.
Golf R ultimate fun day-to-day car.
Suprima S yo
Punch CVT outlast DSG… oh wait…
next challenger will be megane RS then…let see how..anyway, congratulations to Honda..
Doubt the lap time.
FWD Sepang record.
Suprima S bila lagi?!!
honda….take my money, give me 1 please
Should spend more effort on their F1 engine instead.
Should spend more effort on their F1 engine instead where it counts.
bye bye megane RS…
The GTI that HAD the record was more than a GTI. It was a clubsport S. How do you know it rides anywhere near as well as a regular GTI. Did u ride in one? That car is of limited production. Just to break record? And the CTR has a three position ride and handling mode. The CTR beat the record by 5.1 secs. It will be a long time before VW attemps that feat again. There mutch to busy trying to stay out of jail.
Honda Malaysia really should bring the new CTR into the Malaysian market
That’s close to Nissan GT-R territory back when it was launched…