With the track to themselves and tires squealing, these Civic Type Rs only have one mission. Why else would they be there?
Mischa Charoudin, a literal Nurburgring resident ace and Co-founder of Apex Nurburg, spotted a pair of 2023 Honda Civic Type Rs all alone driving hard on the Nurburging just as he was headed to the shops for some groceries.
Check out Charoudin’s video and he’s thoughts on what’s probably to come below.
Although Charoudin’s video only shows one Civic Type R, we’re going to have to take his word for it, but Honda has another one there too.
And, all alone?
Charoudin thinks Honda’s aiming for the FWD lap record and I agree.
“Had no time to go to T13 to check for timing beacons or time the car myself, Chardouin captions his video. “The conditions are good, the intake temps are cold, yet the track is not as cold as yesterday. Ambient temps around 9-12 degrees C. If the track is completely dry, there is a good chance for a nice lap time.”
Honda’s FK8 Civic Type R snatched the FWD lap record from VW back in 2017 with a 7:43.8 and held that record for two years until Renault’s hottest hot hatch came along.
In April 2019, the Renault Megane R.S. Trophy-R snatched the crown from Honda with a 7:40.1 and has reigned ever since.
It’s no secret Honda’s developed this FL5 Honda Civic Type R specifically as a more refined and less prone to overheating track monster as it’s been spied several times before, albeit in camo, hard-charging the ‘Ring’s dozens of corners.
Now, with a production one already on sale, Honda has yet to take back their crown from Renault.
But, with this latest video from Charoudin, Renault’s reign is soon (probably) to come to an end.
“Back in the days”, Honda would do a lap time at the end of the year and unveil the time including the actual model the following year at the Geneva Motor Show in March, “Charoudin concludes. “In today’s world most of the brands switched to digital releases, and the Civic has already been unveiled, so let’s hope we’ll get the lap time before Xmas.“
Although this new generation Type R’s only slightly more powerful despite putting on some extra weight, it’s clearly already faster.
The FL5 took .8 seconds off the FWD lap record at Suzuka, beating out the fastest FK8 Type R, the slimmed down, track focused Civic Type R Limited Edition (LE.)
This FL5 Honda Civic Type R will have to dip into the upper 7:30s to beat that Renault.
How far into the upper 30s, your guess is as good as mine.
One thing I feel is for certain, Honda’s not only going to take back the record, they’re going to demolish it.
What do you think? Let me know your .02 in the comments below.
