Update 4/20: Although the original North American press release did not mention it, we later discovered from a statement released by Honda Europe and verified with our European contacts that the 2023 Civic Type R that broke the Nurburgring lap record for FWD cars was actually a new and lighter version called the S-grade. We’ve updated this story accordingly, and you can find more details in our article here.
Honda has returned to the Green Hell to reclaim its front-wheel drive title, wiping the smile off Renault in the process. The French manufacturer beat them to the punch last time around, stealing the record from the 2018 Civic Type R. But in 2023, the latest Honda Civic Type R (in the newly announced S-grade) is the new king of the ‘ring, claiming to be the fastest FWD car around the 20.8-kilometer Nurburgring track.
Nurburgring times have been a big deal for manufacturers since the ’90s, with the records serving as the proof of the pudding for their latest and greatest creations. For the past decade, the Civic and Megane have been trading places at the top of the FWD tables, and this time around is no different.
Setting a time of 7:44.881 seconds, the 2023 Civic Type R-S is around half a second faster than the previous record set by Renault. Back in 2019, the Renault Megane RS Trophy-R set a time of 7.45.39 on the 20.8 km circuit — the official track length since 2019. Honda last got their CTR to the top of the front-wheel drive tables in 2017, setting a time of 7.43.80 in the FK8 Type R — but this was, of course, on the shorter 20.6 km track, so that time is not representative of modern record attempts.
Related: These Are The Fastest Cars On The Nurburgring
The car that set the record in Germany is the European-spec Type R, which is slightly more powerful than its North American counterpart and in particular, the new S-grade version that removes certain amenities, such as the air-conditioning and GPS systems, to reduce weight. Powered by Honda’s K20C1 turbocharged inline-four-cylinder engine, the hot hatch makes 325 hp (329 PS/ 242 kW) vs. the U.S. model’s 315 hp (319 PS / 235 kW). However, torque figures stay the same at 310 lb-ft (420 Nm) between 2,600 and 4,000 rpm, and the 2023 Civic Type R remains the most powerful Honda ever offered in the U.S.
The 2023 Civic Type R S-grade (or R-S) might make it the fastest FWD car around the ‘Ring, but it’s still nearly four seconds off the best compact, the 2022 Audi RS 3 (7:40.75) – although that car obviously has the advantage of harnessing all the extra grip afforded by its all-wheel drive system.
The new lap record was achieved using Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect tires, which Honda jointly developed with the French tire manufacturer. The Cup 2 tires are described as a premium track day tire, and while the Civic Type R normally comes on Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires, the Cup 2 Connects are available for customers to purchase through Honda dealers.
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