Skip to main content

Watch the 2017 Honda Civic Type R lap the Nürburgring in under 8 minutes

That didn’t take long.

The previous-generation Honda Civic Type R was the fastest front-wheel drive production car to lap Germany’s Nürburging, the track that has become the benchmark for new-car performance. Then the Civic was knocked off its perch by the Volkswagen GTI Clubsport S. But now Honda has reclaimed the Nürburgring crown with its new Civic Type R.

Recommended Videos

The new Type R, which debuted in production-ready form at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show last month and goes on sale in the U.S. later this year, lapped the ‘Ring in 7 minutes, 43.80 seconds. That gives it a decent lead over the 7:47.19 achieved by the VW GTI Clubsport S in October of last year. It’s also an improvement of nearly 7 seconds over the old Civic Type R’s best time and, considering that anything under 8 minutes used to be considered supercar stuff, a quick time by any measure. The hot hatchback arms race continues.

The car used in the record attempt was a preproduction model fitted with a roll cage.  The car’s audio system and rear seats were removed to compensate for the weight of the cage, which was deemed necessary for safety reasons. Other than that, Honda claims the car was identical to the production models people will be able to buy in the coming months.

The Civic Type R uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, chucking out 306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Honda says the new model is over 35 pounds lighter and 38 percent stiffer than the previous version, which wasn’t sold in the U.S. The new version will actually be the first Civic Type R sold here, although enthusiasts have craved this performance model for some time.

U.S. sales start later this spring. While the car itself is built at Honda’s Swindon, England, factory, its engine comes from a plant in Anna, Ohio. Talk about globalization.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
8 key things you need to know from Apple’s WWDC 2025 event
From a fresh look and updated names, to new features, more intelligence and live translation
iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and macOS 26 shown on devices.

The WWDC 2025 keynote ran for just over an hour and a half. For those of you who don't fancy sitting through the whole presentation, we've pulled out the key things you need to know from the latest Apple event.

1. Welcome to the 26 club

Read more
Tesla’s robotaxi service is almost here, but it’s not the car you want to see
Silver Tesla Model Y Juniper side

Tesla chief Elon Musk has said that the automaker is aiming to launch its robotaxi service on June 22, in Austin, Texas.

“Tentatively, June 22,” Musk said in a post on X on Tuesday, adding: “We are being super paranoid about safety, so the date could shift.”

Read more
I tried an e-bike for the first time and now I’m hooked
It’s not about being a 'bike person', it’s about finding small upgrades to everyday life
A woman sitting on the Aventon Pace 4

Before this year, I’d never even touched an e-bike before, and the thought of riding one was never on my radar. With life already in constant motion thanks to two toddlers, biking wasn’t something I ever considered adding to the mix.

I’d always assumed e-bikes were for hardcore commuters or serious cyclists, not someone like me. I wasn’t looking for a big lifestyle change. I just wanted a quicker way to get to the park so we’d have more time to play before dinner.

Read more