THE NEW Honda Civic Type R has taken the front-drive Nurburgring lap record with a blistering 7min 43.8sec lap.

The effort, using a development car in final production specification, and conducted on April 3, beat the existing record holder, the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S, by just 5.41 seconds – or a slim 0.25sec per kilometre over the 20.81km course. Honda has not stated who the driver was.

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Honda Civic Type R Nurburgring Record 1

The new Civic Type R’s time was set on a dry track with the temperature optimal for tyre and engine performance, the 2.0-litre VTEC turbo unit belting out 235kW and 400Nm.

Honda Civic Type R Nurburgring Record 2

Instead the Japanese brand, which is currently enjoying a resurgence in performance on-road (if not on track), attributed the extra speed to new lower gear ratios, improved aerodynamics for extra high-speed stability, a 16kg lighter body-in-white and brand new multi-link rear suspension.

Honda Civic Type R Nurburgring Record 3

Built in Swindon, UK, the new Honda Civic Type R will go on-sale in Australia later this year for around $50,000. The official Australian price has not yet been released.