Honda Civic Type R Sets Five Track Records

Honda Motor Co. says its Civic Type R hatchback recently set course records for a front-wheel-drive car at five European racetracks.

The production-spec hot hatch, which is powered by a 305-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, achieved the records over a two-month period this spring at tracks in Britain (Silverstone), Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps), Italy (Monza), Portugal (Estoril) and Hungary (Hungaroring). All the circuits except Estoril are part of this year’s Formula One schedule.

Drivers included Matt Neal, Rob Huff, Bruno Correia and Norbert Michelisz, with Michelisz piloting two of the record-setting performances.

In 2014, the Civic Type R set the fwd course record at Germany’s famed Nurburgring circuit. But Volkswagen recaptured the bragging rights there this year with the Golf GTI Clubsport.  

An updated version of the Type R, which isn’t available in the U.S., was launched in 2015. The next-generation model due next year is expected to be offered in the American market.

Click here to see a video of the Civic Type R's record runs.