Teaser video: Honda eyes Nurburgring record

Honda has restated its mission to set a new Nurburgring lap record with its next-generation Civic Type R by launching a dedicated Type R website and teaser video (below).

Although the video shows nothing of the new Civic Type R (which has been confirmed for release globally – including in Australia – in 2015), it makes it clear the new car’s goal is to lap the Nurburgring faster than any front-wheel drive production car.

That means the new Civic hot hatch will have to defeat the Renault Megane RS 265 coupe, which is the current record-holder at 8:08.

Nurburgring testing of the new model has already begun, as evidenced by teaser images shot just last week.

As we reported then, the Civic flagship is expected to be powered by a 220kW-plus 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four, making it the most powerful hot hatch in its class.

That will represent a significant departure from the high-revving naturally aspirated VTEC engines that powered previous Civic Type Rs, including the discontinued eighth-generation model (148kW/193Nm), and Honda has also promised reductions in weight and fuel consumption.

Honda announced at last year’s Paris show that it will produce its next-generation Civic Type R at the company’s Swindon plant in the UK, where it will be released in 2015.

The latest Type R teaser video follows footage of reaction to the news by Honda’s World Touring Car Championship drivers Gabriele Tarquini and Tiago Monteiro.

The Japanese brand, which is also committed to releasing a new NSX supercar, says it will announce more details of the new Civic Type R at next month’s Frankfurt motor show, where a full-length film will be revealed.

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