In April this year, the history books were rewritten as the new Honda Civic Type R broke the record for front wheel cars at the Nürburgring. Beating the previous record by six seconds, and its predecessor by nearly seven seconds, the new Type R looks to be seriously quick.
Set to be released in late 2017 for Australian markets, what can people expect with this new model? Under the hood, a tweaked 2.0 litre VTEC Turbo puts out a total horsepower of 320, with a top speed of 250km/h. 400Nm of torque keeps the beast on a leash, with an improved chassis and aerodynamic design allowing for better grip and handling. One of the biggest improvements to the new Type R, and one of the biggest factors in its record breaking lap, is the stiffer body frame. 16kg lighter than the previous model, the new body frame improves torsional rigidity by a massive 38%, improving cornering and stability, giving drivers a cleaner feel. Complementing this new frame, Honda have added wider tyres with a larger wheelbase, as well as a new multi-link rear suspension. These adjustments enhance the braking capabilities of the car, which allowed it to achieve high cornering speeds on Nürburgring.
Moving away from the performance side of the new Type R, Honda have looked to improve all aspects of the car, not just under the hood. More comfortable front bucket seats allow easy movement in and out of the car, and an automatic rev-matching capability has been added to help those unfamiliar with the clutch. The interior is decked out with the usual technological feast that comes to be expected with modern cars, but the six speed Type R now comes with three driving modes. The default Sport mode will excite your inner child as the engine roars through the gears, while the Comfort mode best serves the daily commute and family time. The +R mode is what will really get you going though. Primarily for track use, this mode will use the new improvements to its full advantage, showing you why it breaks records.
Externally, the new Type R will certainly divide drivers with its look. The track tested Aero Kit includes front and side splitters, a rear diffuser, vortex generators and a large rear wing, giving the Type R a lean and mean look. Combined with standard 20-inch alloy wheels and red brake calipers, few could argue that this new Type R doesn’t mean business. An improved centre-based triple exhaust tip system allows the Type R to sound as mean as it looks, although the rear aesthetics will no doubt raise a few eyebrows. But as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
In all, the new Honda Civic Type R is one to watch. Everything about it means business, and no doubt it will give its competitors a run for their money.
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All images © 2017 Honda Motor Europe LTD