The 2023 Honda Civic Type R has been snapped and filmed testing for the very first time at the Nurburgring. The Japanese automaker has ramped up development of the hot hatch in recent weeks and this prototype, complete with a bright red camouflage wrap. Much like the outgoing FK8-generation Civic Type R, the new car will be very track-focused yet will double as a comfortable daily driver. Most agree that the current model is the best front-wheel-drive hot hatch on the market and one of the very best hot hatches full stop, so expectations are high for the new model to be even better.
It seems inevitable that Honda will
eventually publish an official Nurburgring lap time for the car. The current
model lapped the circuit in 7:43.8 back in April 2017, setting what was a
production car record for a hot hatch at the time. In April 2019, however, that
record was snatched away by the hardcore Renault Megane R.S. Trophy-R (7:40.1)
and we’ve got little doubt that Honda will want to claim that record and become
the first hot hatch to lap the circuit in less than 7:40.
Powertrain details about the new Civic
Type R are unclear but it is expected to be fitted with an upgraded version of
the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder found in the current car, producing in
excess of 306 hp and 400 Nm of torque. It will continue to be sold
exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission driving the front wheels.
Honda will introduce the new hot hatch in
2022.
