Not too long ago, the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S snatched the title of fastest front-wheel drive production car to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife from the Honda Civic Type R.
The Japanese automaker, though, is obviously keen to claw back some sort of advantage. In fact, it sent its bewinged hot hatch to no fewer than five European circuits, setting lap records for front-wheel drive production cars at each one.
The goal? Well, in the automaker’s own words, to “assert the Type R as the leading front-wheel drive performance hatchback”. We think that was aimed squarely at you, Volkswagen.
Honda’s campaign kicked off at Silverstone, where three-time British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) winner Matt Neal set a time of 2 minutes 31,85 seconds. From there, Honda trekked to Spa-Francorchamps, where World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) driver Rob Huff lapped at 2 minutes 56,91 seconds.
Next up was WTCC driver Norbert Michelisz, who blasted round Italy’s Autodromo Nazionale Monza circuit in just 2 minutes 15,16 seconds. A trip to Portugal’s Estoril circuit followed, where WTCC safety car driver Bruno Correia lapped in 2 minutes 4,08 seconds.
And the final circuit? None other than the Hungaroring, where Michelisz was again called upon to climb into the hot seat. And, again, he delivered, taking the 228 kW/400 N.m Honda Civic Type R around the track in 2 minutes 10,85 seconds.
Your move, Volkswagen…
