In the fifth and final of a planned series of lap record attempts across Europe, Honda has set a new record for a front-wheel drive production car with the Civic Type R at the Hungaroring GP circuit in Hungary.
It was Honda that set the original benchmark time for Hungaroring during a similar challenge in 2016, with the previous-generation Civic Type R.
This time around the Civic Type R, driven by Formula One World Champ and current NSX Super GT driver, Jenson Button, recorded a record-breaking time of 2min 10.19sec.
The track holds special significance for Button, as the circuit where he won the first Grand Prix of his career with Honda in 2006.
The Hungaroring circuit is a twisty and narrow 4.38km track with 180-degree corners and a complex chicane, making it one of the more technical tracks in Europe.
Button said the Civic Type R had lost none of its charm.
“We came here to the Hungaroring, where I won my first F1 race in 2006 with Honda, to set a new front-wheel drive production lap record in the new Type R, and I’m very happy that we did it!
“The first thing I noticed when I left the pit lane was how neutral the car was. I come from a background that is not front-wheel drive focused, so it was very different for me but because the Type R is so well balanced it was instantly really enjoyable and more natural.
“The thing that surprised me most is how late you can brake with this car. The manual gearbox works really well, too.
“Most cars these days don’t come with manual boxes, so it’s nice to have that manual feel. You always feel a lot more connected to the car,” he said.
The challenge saw five of Honda’s racing champions put the car through its paces around five tracks in Europe, setting new record lap times for a front-wheel drive production car.
- WTCR driver Tiago Monteiro set a lap record of 2mins 01.84secs at Estoril ciruit in Portugal
- BTCC legend Matt Neal set a lap record of 2mins 31.32secs at Silverstone in the UK
- Japanese Super GT star, Betrand Baguette, set a record of 2mins 53.72secs at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium
- WTCR driver, Esteban Guerrieri set a new 2mins 1.51secs lap at the Magny-Cours GP circuit in France.
CHECKOUT: Jenson Button leads Honda’s track attack