Video: 2022 Honda Civic Type R sets Suzuka lap record for FWD

UPDATE, July 21, 2022: Civic Type R revealed!

The new-generation Honda Civic Type R has now been revealed. Get all the pics and details at the link below!

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April 7, 2022: The incoming new 2022 Honda Civic Type R is now a record-setter, beating the previous best lap time at Suzuka for a front-wheel-drive car – which was set by the outgoing Civic Type R in Limited Edition form.

Still in its lightly camouflaged form, the new 'CTR' lapped Suzuka's full 3.6-mile figure-eight layout, achieving a record time of 2:23.120 (two minutes, 23.120 seconds).

The important thing for fans to note of course is that while the Limited Edition is a lighter and more track-focused car, this new best time was set in the new generation's standard form (albeit as a prototype).

Catch the full video and noise, with telemetry data on screen, below. And if you want to know how other production cars have fared at Suzuka, check out this page here. (And scroll down past the actual race cars!)

Mike Stevens

December 14, 2021: Honda has continued development of the next Civic Type R, releasing teasers of the hot hatch at the Suzuka Circuit.

Owned by the Japanese manufacturer, the figure-eight track is being used to shake down the performance variant of the 11th-generation Civic Type R, expected to go on sale late next year.

Videos of the turbocharged hatch (above and below) have fuelled speculation about what powerplant will be adopted by the next Type R, with a 2.0-litre four-pot being the most likely engine under its bonnet.

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October 5, 2021: The 2022 Honda Civic Type R has been teased by the carmaker overnight, complete in a camouflage made up of the ‘R’ insignia and silhouettes of previous models.

A video of the new Civic Type R testing on roads in Europe was also captured by YouTube channel CarSpyMedia, allowing us to hear a preview of what the new Honda hot hatch will sound like.

The CTR doesn’t stray too far from the outgoing version, with a large rear wing, black alloy wheels, and a trio of exhaust tips – this time, with the outer pipes being smaller than the centre outlet.

While Honda has yet to confirm what’s under the bonnet, industry whispers suggest the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine could see a return, albeit with some major additions.

Japan’s CarSensor reported back in April 2021 the new model would use a 48-volt mild-hybrid system – an increasingly common technology used most often to improve fuel consumption figures and acceleration – but it remains to be seen what we can expect from the new hero hatch.

Earlier this year a Honda representative let slip on social media the new Type R would be offered with a manual transmission.

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Although Honda was one of the very few manufacturers to ever offer a hybrid powertrain with a manual transmission with the sporty CR-Z, no carmaker has offered a three-pedal plug-in hybrid – adding credibility to the suggestion of a mild-hybrid powertrain.

The exhaust note coming from the prototype in the video also shares a close resemblance to the outgoing model’s soundtrack – indicating the 2.0-litre turbo engine will continue in some form – while breaks in throttle input all but confirm a manual gearbox.

The 2022 Honda Civic Type R is expected to be unveiled in the coming months, with the model likely to arrive in the second half of next year.