HONDA 

Civic Type R does well at the Suzuka circuit

The next-generation Honda Civic Type R has set a new lap record for a front-wheel drive hatchback at Japan's celebrated Suzuka circuit. The car went around the 5.8 km circuit in 2:23.120 seconds, that is, 0.873 seconds faster than its predecessor: the 2021 Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition.

The new brand was established during the final development assessment of the new model on March 15, 2022. The new Civic Type R is the latest high-performance vehicle that has demonstrated its capabilities on the iconic Suzuka international circuit, famous for its complicated curves and their high-speed chicanes. The track, often regarded as one of the best circuits in the world, has been the test bed for Honda's high-performance vehicles since 1962, as well as the home of the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix since 1987, except on a couple of occasions.

The previous lap record for a front-wheel drive car at Suzuka – 2:23.993 seconds – was achieved by a Civic Type R Limited Edition during its development phase in February 2020. Previously, the tenth generation Civic Type R GT beat the fastest lap time record for a front-wheel drive car on the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring circuit in 2017, with a mark of 7:43.008 seconds. Then a production-spec Civic Type R GT would once again set records among production front-wheel drive vehicles at five legendary European circuits.

More information about the new Civic Type R will be available closer to its launch in late 2022.

Autonews