Honda Civic Type R sets new Magny-Cours GP record

With a time of 2:01.51, the 2018 Honda Civic Type R has set a new front-wheel drive lap record around the GP Circuit.

Over 4.4km, Honda World Touring Car Cup driver Esteban Guerrieri pushed the 228kW/400Nm hot hatch to beat the FK2-gen Civic Type R’s reported (according to fastestlaps.com) lap time of 2:06.44.

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The previous Type R also set records at Estoril, Hungaroring, Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps. Honda plans to continue its lap record attempts “at a range of legendary European racetracks” with the new Type R.

“The best thing about the Type R is that it gives you confidence,” Guerrieri said after the lap. “It’s very responsive and gives you good feedback.

“People call the Type R the ultimate performance hot hatch and we proved today that it really is; the car continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible from front wheel drive.”

“The beauty is we could use ‘+R mode on track but then switch to Comfort mode and drive home.”

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The track in Central France previously played host to the Formula 1 French GP but was dropped due to low attendance and a lack of passing opportunities. Magny-Cours still remains host to the Superbike World Championship.

Driving at other tracks during Honda’s ‘Type R Challenge 2018’ will be Jenson Button, WTCR driver Tiago Monteiro, NSX Super GT driver Bertrand Baguette, and BTCC racer Matt Neal.

Where the 7:43.8 lap record set at the Nürburgring used a development-spec Type R, Honda says the rest of its laps will use a production-spec car, as was used at Magny-Cours.