• 2017 HONDA CIVIC TYPE R SETS NEW FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE LAP RECORD AT NÜRBURGRING* Time-attack attempt at Nürburgring sets time of 7min 43.8sec

 

• All-new Civic Type R’s engine produces 320 PS and 400Nm of torque
• Advanced aerodynamics deliver best-in-class balance between lift and drag 
• New Civic Type R to be built in Swindon, UK; European sales start in summer 2017 
• Lap time achieved in development car with technical specifications representative of the final production carFollowing the production model’s debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, the all-new Honda Civic Type R has set a new benchmark lap time for front-wheel drive cars at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. On 3 April 2017, a development car lapped the world-famous circuit in 7 minutes 43.8 seconds.

  The lap time was achieved during the final phase of the model’s testing regime, on a dry track with an optimum ambient temperature for the best tyre and powertrain performance. The new time represents an improvement of nearly seven seconds compared to the model’s predecessor.

  The new Civic Type R was part of the all-new tenth-generation Civic’s development programme – the largest in Honda’s history – and was engineered to deliver the most rewarding drive in the hot hatch segment, both on road and on the race track.

  Several factors contributed to the new Civic Type R’s new benchmark time at the Nordschleife. At its heart is the optimised and refined 2.0-litre VTEC TURBO engine, producing 320 PS and 400Nm of torque. New lower gear ratios in the six-speed manual transmission further improve the car’s acceleration, while the new Type R‘s comprehensive aerodynamic package delivers outstanding high-speed stability, with a best-in-class balance between lift and drag.

  The high-rigidity body frame of the all-new Civic Type R is 16kg lighter than the previous model’s, with a torsional stiffness improvement of 38%, which provides significant benefits to steering response and cornering stability. New multi-link rear suspension enhances stability under braking and reduces the total roll movement of the car, enabling later braking into corners and helping to achieve higher cornering speeds during the lap.

  Ryuichi Kijima is the lead chassis engineer for the Honda Civic Type R. He explains where the all-new model shows the most significant improvements around the Nürburgring compared to the previous generation car.

  “The cornering speed achieved in the new Type R is higher because the car features a wider track and tyres, a longer wheelbase, new multi-link suspension in the rear and optimised aerodynamics that improves stability, ” said Kijima-san. “For example, drivers typically enter the corner after Metzgesfeld at around 150 km/h. Even at this medium-speed corner, the speed is around 10 km/h higher due to the new Type R’s excellent stability. So, with improved cornering performance, we can increase the speed throughout the lap, helping the new Type R to achieve a much quicker lap time.”

  The development car that achieved the lap time was technically representative of production specification. A full floating roll cage was installed for safety reasons, but its presence did not provide any additional rigidity to the body frame. The extra weight of the cage was compensated for by the temporary removal of the infotainment system and rear seats. The car was using road legal track-focused tyres.

  Production of the new Civic Type R for European customers will begin in summer 2017 at Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) in Swindon – the global manufacturing hub for the tenth generation Civic hatchback. The Type R will be exported across Europe and to other markets around the world, including Japan and the US. Its arrival in North America will mark the first time that any Honda-badged Type R has been officially sold there.

  Video footage of the benchmark lap can be viewed here:

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YSjItQneNM

• All-new Honda Civic Type R races into view at Geneva• Engineered to deliver the most rewarding drive in the hot hatch segment
  • Optimised and refined 2.0-litre VTEC TURBO with an output of 320 PS and 400Nm of torque
  • New Type R further refines sporty dynamics of new Civic hatchback heightening driving performance
  • Sales to begin summer 2017
  • To be built in Swindon, UK, for markets worldwide, including Japan and USAHonda has revealed the all-new Civic Type R at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, ahead of the model’s European launch in the summer. The new car builds on Honda’s heritage in developing high-performance hatchbacks, and represents the segment’s ultimate expression of dynamic purity.Sharing the same fundamentals as the new Civic hatchback, the new Type R has been engineered from the ground up to deliver the most rewarding drive in the hot-hatch segment – both on road and on the race track.

  Revised 2.0-litre VTEC TURBO engine and 6-speed manual transmission
  The 2.0-litre VTEC TURBO ‘heart’ of the multi-award-winning previous generation Type R has been optimised and refined and now produces 320 PS with peak torque of 400 Nm. Throttle response and driveability have improved thanks to optimised engine control settings.

  The smooth and precise six-speed manual transmission is further improved by a rev match control system, ensuring no compromise in the Type R’s intimate, rewarding connection with the driver.

  A stiffer chassis and revised suspension
  The new Type R takes the lighter, more rigid body shell of the new Civic hatchback and adds further use of adhesive in key areas. Compared to the previous Type R, torsional rigidity is further improved by 38%.

  The front Macpherson strut suspension of the standard hatchback is revised with new geometry to minimise torque steer and maximise sporty handling. At the rear, the new independent multi-link system of the standard car is improved with the use of unique high rigidity suspension arms.

  Enhanced driving modes
  An enhanced selection of driving modes give the car greater usability compared to the previous Type R. A new ‘Comfort’ setting sits alongside agile ‘Sport’ and track-focused ‘+R’ modes. Each selection tailors the adaptive dampers, steering force, gear shift feeling and throttle response of the car on demand.

  Refined aerodynamics for high-speed stability
  The all-new Type R has a more comprehensive aerodynamic package than the previous model, including a smoother underbody, front air curtain, a lightweight rear wing and vortex generators at the trailing edge of the roof line. The muscular, aggressive body has a best-in-class balance between lift and drag, contributing to greater high speed stability.

  Produced in Europe, exported to major markets worldwide
  Production of the new Civic Type R is anticipated to start in summer 2017 at Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) in Swindon – the global manufacturing hub for the 10th generation Civic hatchback.

  The Type R will be exported across Europe and to other markets around the world, including Japan and the US. Its arrival in North America will mark the first time that any Honda-badged Type R has been officially sold there.

  – Ends –

• All-new Civic given highly competitive residual value forecast by experts
• RVs 9% higher than previous generation model
• Figures come weeks after HR-V and Jazz exceeded RV predictions
• All-new Honda Civic on sale from late March, priced from £18,235

Honda UK has today announced both residual values and a full pricing list for the 10^th generation Civic, which is set to hit dealer forecourts in late March.

Starting from £18,235 on the road for the entry level S grade 129PS VTEC TURBO in manual, the range tops out at £27,480 on the road for the 182PS VTEC TURBO Prestige with a CVT transmission. Metallic paint is an option and adds £525 to the price.

With the arrival of the new 10^th generation Civic and in line with the current trend towards smaller, more efficient powertrains, Honda has launched two new petrol engines; a 1.0 litre three cylinder which produces 129PS and a more powerful 1.5 litre four cylinder which delivers 182PS. 

And as well as pricing, Honda has also released residual values for the new Civic ahead of its UK launch. The hotly anticipated Civic has received a further boost with residual values predicted to be among the best in its class.

Industry experts and residual value setters CAP forecast the British-built 10^th generation Civic will hold up to 37% of its value after 36 months and 60,000 miles.

That’s an impressive increase of 9% on the previous generation Civic and puts the newcomer well ahead of many of its key competitors.

The news comes just weeks after CAP predicted two of Honda’s newest and most popular models – the stylish Jazz city car and acclaimed HR-V crossover – would outperform all forecasts and achieve market-leading residual value levels.

And it underlines the confidence the automotive industry has in the reliability, value for money and desirability of Honda’s model line-up. 

Phil Webb, Head of Cars at Honda (UK), said: “As a brand we are making big strides in improving residual values across our range. This will make our cars even more affordable and lower the total cost of ownership for private and business buyers.

“The launch of the advanced and sporty new Civic is a major milestone for Honda in the UK and so we are delighted that CAP agree with our own assessment of this fantastic new car.”

Pricing for the all-new 10^th generation Civic is as follows:

Engine	Grade	Transmission	CO2 g/km	VED band	VED first year rate	OTR pricing
129PS VTEC Turbo	S (Homologation)	Man	110	B	£0	£18,235
129PS VTEC Turbo	SE	Man	110	B	£0	£18,335
129PS VTEC Turbo	SR	Man	117	C	£0	£20,180
129PS VTEC Turbo	EX	Man	117	C	£0	£23,040
129PS VTEC Turbo	EX w/ Tech pack	Man	117	C	£0	£23,640
129PS VTEC Turbo	S (Homologation)	CVT	106	B	£0	£19,635
129PS VTEC Turbo	SE	CVT	106	B	£0	£19,735
129PS VTEC Turbo	SR	CVT	114	C	£0	£21,580
129PS VTEC Turbo	EX	CVT	114	C	£0	£24,440
129PS VTEC Turbo	EX w/ Tech pack	CVT	114	C	£0	£25,040
182PS VTEC Turbo	Sport	Man	133	E	£130	£22,470
182PS VTEC Turbo	Sport Plus	Man	133	E	£130	£25,335
182PS VTEC Turbo	Prestige	Man	133	E	£130	£26,085
182PS VTEC Turbo	Sport	CVT	139	E	£130	£23,870
182PS VTEC Turbo	Sport Plus	CVT	139	E	£130	£26,730
182PS VTEC Turbo	Prestige	CVT	139	E	£130	£27,480

Ends…

For further information, please contact:

Karen Parry, Department Manager – Corporate Affairs

T: 01344 888634 M: 07775 035220 E: [email protected]

Simon Branney, PR Communications Manager (Cars)

T: 01344 888644 M: 07824 866400 E: [email protected]

 

Tom Lynch, Press Fleet Executive

T: 01344 888631 E: [email protected]

 

 

About Honda

Honda (UK) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Honda (Japan).

 

One of the top 20 brands in the world, Honda manufacturers a broad product range encompassing cars, motorcycles, power equipment (including marine, energy, lawn and garden and ATV) and aviation and was the first Japanese automobile manufacturer to release a dedicated luxury brand, Acura, in 1986.

Honda has been the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world’s largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than 14 million internal combustion engines each year.

 

Since 1986, Honda has been involved with artificial intelligence/robotics research and released their ASIMO robot in 2000. Honda has also ventured into aerospace with the establishment of GE Honda Aero Engines in 2004 and the Honda HA-420 HondaJet, which began production in 2012.

Honda has over 55 years of World Championship Racing. Today, Honda is an active participant in Formula One, motorcycle, touring car and ATV racing and draws upon its proud racing heritage in every aspect of business.