Honda announced that their 2017 Honda Civic Type R took the has once again retook the FWD Nurburgring record.

Two years ago the FK2 Honda Civic Type R reset the Nurburgring FWD record with a 7:50. VW’s GTI Clubsport snatched the crown from Honda a few months later with a 7:47. But according to Honda on an official press release they dropped earlier today (Apr. 24,2017) the King is back. The 2017 Honda Civic Type R snatched the crown right back with a 7:43.80 time on the Nurburgring from Bridge to Gantry. And to put all doubts to rest Honda has also dropped a video…actually a couple of videos. We’ve posted those below.

Set to debut in June for the U.S. launch of the 2017 Honda Civic Type R, with the CTR running around the Nurburgring at break-neck speeds we wondered if this would be an opportune time to announce a record breaking run, and we were right.

Compared to the 2016 Honda Civic Type R which this car replaces, Honda cites its improved power delivery and highly rigid body that allowed Honda to shave seven seconds off its previous record.

Under the hood is somewhat of a carryover from the last Type R but doesn’t take away from how impressive power is delivered. Type R packs 306 HP and 295 lb-ft from a turbocharged 2.0 L inline four.

As for the rigidity, the Type R is 35 pounds lighter and boasts 38 percent more torsional stiffness.

Civic Type R
2017 Honda Civic Type R is your new ring king
Civic Type R
2017 Honda Civic Type R is your new ring king

According to Ryuichi Kijima, the lead chassis engineer for the Honda Civic Type R,

“The cornering speed achieved in the new Type R is higher because the car features a wider track and tires, a longer wheelbase, a new multi-link suspension in the rear and optimized aerodynamics that improve stability. For example, drivers typically enter the corner after Metzgesfeld at around 150 km/h (93 mph). Even at this medium-speed corner, the speed is around 10 km/h (6 mph) higher due to the new Type R’s excellent stability. So, with improved cornering performance, we can increase the speed throughout the lap, helping the new Type R to achieve a much quicker lap time.”

Honda insists that the rollcage added to the Type R for the record run is a full floating roll cage and doesn’t contribute to rigidity. To compensate for the weight gain, the rear seats and display audio system were removed. The tires are street legal spec too.

This 2017 Honda Civic Type R tops off the Civic lineup as the ultimate expression of what Honda is and what the Civic lineage is capable of.  Some may wonder if Nurburgring times really matter at all and at the end of the day it really doesn’t. But their are bragging rights to be had with only one spot at the top of the Nurburgring. Second place and Type R just don’t mix.

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