The 2023 Honda Civic Type R FL5 hot hatch has just set a new front-wheel drive car track record around the legendary 20.8 km Nurburgring Nordschleife in Germany, with a new lap record time of 7 minutes 44.881 seconds.
This new record didn’t only demonstrate the Japanese hot hatch’s improved dynamic performance compared to its predecessors but also proved itself 0.508 seconds quicker than the Renault Megane RS Trophy R, the previous 20.8 km Nurburgring Nordschleife record holder.
Fitted with the Japanese hot hatch were the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect tyres. This contributed to the 2023 Civic Type R’s enhanced on-track performance and also provided the car with improved dry grip as well as better balanced handling. This track tyre was developed using the knowledge Michelin’s team garnered when developing the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S, which is the tyre factory fitted with the Type R FL5.
Civic Type R FL5 development leader, Hideki Kakinuma said, “Under the concept of ‘Ultimate SPORT 2.0,’ we developed the all-new Civic Type R with the spirit of ‘going beyond our past achievements’ and strived for the ultimate FWD sports car by refining the ‘essential value’ and ’emotional appeal’ unique only to our Type R models.”
“Six years after the lap record was set by the previous-generation Civic Type R (FK8), we reached this new dimension as a result of all of the passions we poured in and all the advancements we made for this Type R model. Finally, our wish to share this title with all Type R fans all around the world came true,” Mr Kakinuma added.
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Besides the Nurburgring Nordschleife, the Civic Type R FL5 is also the lap record holder at the renowned Suzuka racetrack. The Civic Type R FL5 has yet to be brought into Malaysia. But looking at the one launched in our neighbour country, Thailand, the Japanese hot hatch is retailing for an eye-watering THB 3,990,000 (approximately RM 515k).
If you really want to add a Japanese hot hatch to your garage, don’t worry, as we have the Type R’s closest rival, the Toyota GR Corolla up for grabs at RM 335,000 here in Malaysia.
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