2021 Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition Sets FWD Lap Record At Suzuka

The Honda Civic Type R continues to break front-wheel-drive lap records on racetracks around the world, with the latest one to fall being the Suzuka Circuit in Japan.

The most extreme iteration of the Type R yet, the Civic Type R Limited Edition, has posted a 2:23.993 lap time at Suzuka, cementing its status as the hot hatch segment’s front-wheel-drive benchmark.

The Civic Type R Limited Edition achieved the record-breaking lap in February 2020 during the model’s final performance evaluation. The development car featured the same technical specifications representative of the production version, with no modifications or performance enhancements.

See Also: Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition Is 2020 WTCR’s Official Safety Car

The Civic Type R Limited Edition is 47 kg (103.6 lbs) lighter than the stock Civic Type R thanks to lightweight components and stripped-back interior; it also features suspension and steering upgrades.

The 2021 Civic Type R Limited Edition rides on lightweight 20-inch forged BBS alloy wheels shod with high grip Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. The vehicle also features modified dampers that optimize this new wheel and tyre combination, as well as recalibrated steering for maximum control and feedback.

Additionally, the updated Adaptive Damper System’s control software is said to evaluate road conditions faster, resulting in improved damper reactions for both better handling response and ride quality.

The standard Civic Type R’s 2.0-liter VTEC Turbo engine is retained but delivers increased cooling performance. It produces 320 PS (310 HP) at 6,500 rpm and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque from 2,500 rpm to 4,500 rpm. Mated to a six-speed manual transmission, the powertrain enables the Civic Type R Limited Edition to spring from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.7 seconds. Honda will build 600 Type R Limited Edition models for the United States and just 100 for Europe.

The Suzuka Circuit is a 5.8-km (3.6-mile) track famous for its high-speed chicanes and challenging corners, incorporated in a ‘figure eight’ layout that includes a long 1.2-km (0.74-mile) back straight. A highlight in the Formula 1 calendar, Suzuka has been an important test bed for developing performance Honda vehicles and engines since 1962.