The 2023 Honda Civic Type R regains the front-drive record at the Nurburgring

The Nurburgring, The Ring, or the Green Hell, whichever you want to call it, is a challenging and technical 20.8 km track filled with tight turns, power-hungry straights, and barely any run-offs. In summary, The Ring requires the full undivided attention of the driver, which could make the difference between setting a good lap time or ending up in the wall with a smashed-up vehicle.

For years, the Nurburgring, more particularly its Nordschleife configuration, has been the proving ground for various manufacturers to test the capabilities of its performance vehicles. The prize? Unlimited bragging rights, especially when brushed against the faces of other rival manufacturers.

The FK8 Honda Civic Type R held the front-wheel drive (FWD) record with a lap time of 7:43.8 back in 2017, with the feisty French retaking that crown in 2019 with their Renault Megane RS Trophy-R with a lap time of 7:40.1. Honda definitely did not take that sitting down, so this time, armed with their next-generation FL5 Civic Type R, they aimed to retake the top spot once again. 

Honda did take the record once again, with a lap time of 7:44.881. Now before you take out your pitchforks and point out that it is a second slower than the lap record of the previous generation FK8 Civic Type R, it is also important to note that the management has made changes to the Nordschleife’s configuration with different start and stop points. That being said, should the old configuration and regulations remain, the FL5 Civic Type R is much quicker than the previous generation and also considerably quicker than the lap time of the Renault Megane RS Trophy-R.

The improved lap time set by the FL5 Civic Type R is due to additional downforce from the rear wing as well as the underfloor. It also has a wider track for more stability as well as increased power from its 2.0-liter 4-cylinder K20C1 engine that now makes 315 hp compared to the past generation's 306 hp.

Overall, with or without the lap record, the FL5 Civic Type R has gathered praise from petrolheads worldwide and is an excellent improvement to the already great past-generation FK8 model.

Check out the video below if you want to watch how Honda broke the FWD lap record.