2023 Civic Type R Sets New FWD Track Record at Nürburgring!

[Clark_Kent]

It looks that way from the footage.
But that begs the question of why if there was any low hanging fruit, Honda and their pro driver didn't just make that correction and run again.
It is not as if they only had time for one lap attempt.
Honda has the funds and pull to close the "Ring long enough for a lot of attempts. Doubt they left much on the table.
It is hard to be perfect on a lap - extra hard to be perfect on something as long and varied as the Nordschliefe. Maybe this was just the lap with the fewest errors, so they called it a day. Not because the entire lap was absolutely perfect.

This. I'm certain they've been after this for some time and even likely had other runs that bested the FK8 time. Having a perfect or "clean" run on a track this long and technical is impossible. Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

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[madbikes]

that extra length could be a faster or slower section

The track did not change. New and Old Record End time at the exact same spot, which is the white line on T13. Old Record does not start time until where you can enter from the Grand Stand by Sabine-Schmitz Curve

The fastest Record, AMG ONE, takes 4.5 seconds. The slower the car, the gap widens. Some attempts do include the time with Old Record Start Line for easier comparison.

 

[urbo73]

This. I'm certain they've been after this for some time and even likely had other runs that bested the FK8 time. Having a perfect or "clean" run on a track this long and technical is impossible. Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

True. The lap is actually quite messy. He's just manhandling the CTR around there quite well - a phenomenal drive. Watching it tells me more about the driver than the car. But it's a street car - let's not forget. A proper car would be easier to drive and be/look smoother.

 

[TypeRD]

The track did not change. New and Old Record End time at the exact same spot, which is the white line on T13. Old Record does not start time until where you can enter from the Grand Stand by Sabine-Schmitz Curve

The fastest Record, AMG ONE, takes 4.5 seconds. The slower the car, the gap widens. Some attempts do include the time with Old Record Start Line for easier comparison.

That makes total sense. The “added” time to the lap is largely due to the fact that the added track distance is at the starting line. Cars that shoot out like a rocket with really fast 0-60+ times (AMG ONE and others) will have the lowest lap time differential, old starting line vs new starting line.

Extrapolating this to the FL5 (new track distance) vs FK8 LE (old track distance), the FL5 is definitely faster, as was proven at Suzuka too. I’m sure Honda has all the data that clearly shows that it’s through the turns that the FL5 gaps the FK8, exactly where Honda improved the car most. We know the FK8 LE is a hair quicker in the straights, but the FL5 doesn’t leave enough on the table for the FK8 to catch up.

 

[rui]

That makes total sense. The “added” time to the lap is largely due to the fact that the added track distance is at the starting line. Cars that shoot out like a rocket with really fast 0-60+ times (AMG ONE and others) will have the lowest lap time differential, old starting line vs new starting line.

These are flying laps. There's no standing start. ?

Faster cars will have smaller differentials because well, they're faster.

 

[TypeRD]

Ah OK. That simplifies matters even further. Thanks for the clarification. @rui
I couldn’t remember if they were flying laps and was too lazy to look it up.?

 

[UFO CTR]

does not look excessively bouncy in the onboard video...wonder what mode the driver was on? Dash looks R mode, but what about the suspension setting? I would love to know if this info is available.

 

[CTRifecta]

Amazing to watch the skill of that driver and to watch the CTR dance like that. Def looks bouncy enough to be in R+ imo.

Man I need to track this car soon!

 

[Robert.C]

does not look excessively bouncy in the onboard video...wonder what mode the driver was on? Dash looks R mode, but what about the suspension setting? I would love to know if this info is available.

Really? I thought that it was hopping all over the place, especially through some of the high-speed corners. There’s a long right (I believe after the carousel) in particular where it was essentially pogo-ing on its driver-side for several seconds.

 

[Tickle]

https://www.carscoops.com/2023/04/h...ring-record-but-its-not-coming-to-u-s-or-u-k/

 

[Rainy4s]

JP Michelin confirmed the tire used in the record attempt is H0 Marked Cup2C, the tire that was revealed at a media test drive event on Suzuka Circuit last year

 

[Civiz]

You know what's the best part? It's a certified lap time with a production car (including tires!). The fk8 always got a lot of hate for many reasons. In europe, they completely dismissed the 2017 record run because it was a pre production car, with a roll cage, no head unit and cup2 tires. Honda didn't make the same mistake again.

Congratulations, Honda. The 3rd type R to beat the record.

Actually, the fl5 that set the record was not standard at all.

It's not even sold yet, and will only be sold in some european markets as a special edition "S Grade".


No A/C, no GPS module, no tonneau cover; no auto dimming interior mirror; no parking sensors, no electric adjustment or heating functions on mirrors etc...


https://www.drive.com.au/news/sneaky-tactic-behind-honda-civic-type-r-nurburgring-lap/

 

[Civiz]

Yeah, I’m thinking that the R-S is simply a factory installed accessories package with the carbon fiber goodies, lighter wheels, and Cup 2’s. They probably give it a special numbering plate on the dash as well. It can’t be too different from the standard R as it was Honda’s goal to set the record with a factory car (no roll cage or other stuff for people to point their fingers at and cry “vaporware!”).

No A/C, no GPS module, no tonneau cover; no auto dimming interior mirror; no parking sensors, no electric adjustment or heating functions on mirrors etc...

 

[Civiz]

There has already been an apples to apples comparison between the FK8 and FL5 under the most ideal conditions at Suzuka Circuit (Honda’s very own track)! We’ve known which CTR is faster for months. The Nürburgring record just makes it even more official.?

I wouldn't rely so much on that record.

That record was also probably set by the non-standard FL5, with No A/C, non standard navigation, no cargo cover etc.

Looking at the video again I notice the infotainment system is covered up .

 

[TypeRD]

I wouldn't rely so much on that record.

That record was also probably set by the non-standard FL5, with No A/C, non standard navigation, no cargo cover etc.

Looking at the video again I notice the infotainment system is blank.

The FK8 was very likely configured in a very similar light-weighted fashion. It had a roll cage in it too (and rear seat removed?), if I recall correctly. It was certainly not a stock Touring car with AC, etc. I’d have to dig up info and videos to be sure. But, that’s why I say the Suzuka records are perhaps the most apples-to-apples comparison we’ll get. We know that Honda tested both cars at Suzuka under the best possible and controlled conditions. The result is that the FL5 is faster, despite not knowing all the details.

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