New Spa record for Civic Type R
The second of the FK8's Time Attack laps has been completed; watch the video here!
Earlier this year we brought you news that Honda was set to return to several of the circuits at which it claimed front-wheel lap records back in 2016.
The aim was of course to improve upon the times set by the FK2 Type R at tracks including Spa, Silverstone and Estoril, and drum up a little positive attention for the current car in the process. This time around the drivers would include Tiago Monteiro, Esteban Guerrieri and some chap called Jenson something. But, whilst JB was in France this past weekend trying his hand at endurance racing, Honda has revealed that it was left to PH favourite Bertrand Baguette to return to his home land and have a crack at Spa.
As you can see from the below video, Mr Baguette certainly didn't hold back. Although, as is usually the case with a properly quick lap time - the Nordschleife excluded, obviously - everything looks remarkably calm and composed.
SPOILER ALERT - In the end the FK8 completed the lap in 2:53.7, beating the FK2's time of 2:56.9 by over three seconds and setting a new front-wheel drive production lap record in the process.
There doesn't seem to be any word yet on which combination of driver and track is next, although with Festival of Speed and the British Grand Prix approaching, a Button/ Silverstone lap could make sense. Regardless, it's nice to see the focus of the manufacturer lap record tit-for-tat move away from the Nurburgring for a second; now we just need to wait for someone else to try and go faster still...
https://youtu.be/So-Ps_lvi4g
Does really beg the reality of that Ring time given the RS does an 8:06...
https://youtu.be/So-Ps_lvi4g
Does really beg the reality of that Ring time given the RS does an 8:06...
Not the biggest conspiracy ever, but still a little cheeky from Honda
I am sure it’s fabulous to drive, but it is a tad erm.. out there. It almost needs a ‘styling lite’ version, for prospective owners over 19 ages of age.
Honda have been doing it for years; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E-x9p45xPA
https://youtu.be/So-Ps_lvi4g
Does really beg the reality of that Ring time given the RS does an 8:06...
TBH the fact that the R is close enough to the RS despite lower power and Fwd speaks volumes for it's chassis. If you also factor in that the R can be comfortable enough to be your daily driver unlike the RS then the achievement is even more telling.
Agree with the other posters on this thread though - the styling is a bit extreme, but i doubt the'll do a toned down version, its not what Type R is about IMO. If you want subtle you can always buy Golf R or Cupra.
We do really live in a great era for fast hatches
Twin-centre exit exhausts are also on the Sport trim, which looks a bit too mad for the 1.5 Turbo model (especially as people seem to get enraged about the Golf R having 4 exhaust tips...)
Vast swathes of plastic fake grilles everywhere do nothing for its' appearance IMO.
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