2017 Civic Type R Claims Title as World’s Fastest Front-Wheel-Drive Production Car with Record Nürburgring Lap Time
- 2017 Civic Type R laps Nürburgring in record 7 minutes 43.80 seconds
- Ohio-made 2.0-liter VTEC® TURBO engine powers Civic to new record
- Advanced aerodynamics deliver best-in-class balance between lift and drag
- Civic Type R – America’s first Honda Type R model – goes on sale late spring
TORRANCE, Calif., Apr. 24, 2017 – Less than two months before its U.S. launch, 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, 2017, a Civic Type R lapped the 12.9-mile Nordschleife (north loop) in a record 7 minutes 43.80 seconds. This new benchmark time represents 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. Video footage of the benchmark lap can be viewed on Honda’s YouTube channel at Honda.us/TypeRLapRecord.
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 horsepower (hp)1 and 295 lb.-ft. of torque2. The engine, which makes the new Civic Type R the most powerful Honda ever sold in America, is manufactured in the U.S. at Honda’s Anna, Ohio engine plant3. The Type R’s 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 all-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.
Ryuichi Kijima, the lead chassis engineer for the Honda Civic Type R development explains the model’s most significant improvements around the Nürburgring compared to the previous-generation car: “The cornering speed achieved in the new Type R is higher because the car features a wider track and tires, a longer wheelbase, a new multi-link suspension in the rear and optimized aerodynamics that improve stability. For example, drivers typically enter the corner after Metzgesfeld at around 150 km/h (93 mph). Even at this medium-speed corner, the speed is around 10 km/h (6 mph) higher due to the new Type R’s excellent stability. So, with improved cornering performance, we can increase the speed throughout the lap, helping the new Type R to achieve a much quicker lap time.”
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. The car was using street legal, track-focused tires.
The new Civic Type R, the very first production Honda Type R model for America, is the final piece in the 10th-generation Honda Civic launch that began in the fall of 2015 with the Civic Sedan, named 2016 North American Car of the Year. The Civic lineup, featuring the most ambitious and extensive remake in the model’s 44-year history, includes the premium and sporty Civic Sedan and Coupe; the versatile and Euro-inspired Civic Hatchback; the fast and agile new Civic Si Sedan and Coupe, launching next month; and the ultimate representation of Civic performance, the new Civic Type R.
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.
- Engineered to deliver the most rewarding drive in the hot hatch segment
- Optimised and refined 2.0-litre VTEC TURBO with an output of 320 PS and 400Nm of torque
- New Type R further refines sporty dynamics of new Civic hatchback heightening driving performance
- Sales to begin summer 2017
- To be built in Swindon, UK, for markets worldwide, including Japan and USA
Honda has revealed the all-new Civic Type R at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, ahead of the model’s European launch in the summer. The new car builds on Honda’s heritage in developing high-performance hatchbacks, and represents the segment’s ultimate expression of dynamic purity.
Sharing the same fundamentals as the new Civic hatchback, the new Type R has been engineered from the ground up to deliver the most rewarding drive in the hot-hatch segment – both on road and on the race track.
Revised 2.0-litre VTEC TURBO engine and 6-speed manual transmission
The 2.0-litre VTEC TURBO ‘heart’ of the multi-award-winning previous generation Type R has been optimised and refined and now produces 320 PS with peak torque of 400 Nm. Throttle response and driveability have improved thanks to optimised engine control settings.
The smooth and precise six-speed manual transmission is further improved by a rev match control system, ensuring no compromise in the Type R’s intimate, rewarding connection with the driver.
A stiffer chassis and revised suspension
The new Type R takes the lighter, more rigid body shell of the new Civic hatchback and adds further use of adhesive in key areas. Compared to the previous Type R, torsional rigidity is further improved by 38%.
The front Macpherson strut suspension of the standard hatchback is revised with new geometry to minimise torque steer and maximise sporty handling. At the rear, the new independent multi-link system of the standard car is improved with the use of unique high rigidity suspension arms.
Enhanced driving modes
An enhanced selection of driving modes give the car greater usability compared to the previous Type R. A new ‘Comfort’ setting sits alongside agile ‘Sport’ and track-focused ‘+R’ modes. Each selection tailors the adaptive dampers, steering force, gear shift feeling and throttle response of the car on demand.
Refined aerodynamics for high-speed stability
The all-new Type R has a more comprehensive aerodynamic package than the previous model, including a smoother underbody, front air curtain, a lightweight rear wing and vortex generators at the trailing edge of the roof line. The muscular, aggressive body has a best-in-class balance between lift and drag, contributing to greater high speed stability.
Produced in Europe, exported to major markets worldwide
Production of the new Civic Type R is anticipated to start in summer 2017 at Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) in Swindon – the global manufacturing hub for the 10th generation Civic hatchback.
The Type R will be exported across Europe and to other markets around the world, including Japan and the US. Its arrival in North America will mark the first time that any Honda-badged Type R has been officially sold there.
