{"id":543580,"date":"2026-07-11T00:25:21","date_gmt":"2026-07-11T00:25:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/543580\/"},"modified":"2026-07-11T00:25:21","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T00:25:21","slug":"the-honda-civic-type-r-lost-its-nurburgring-crown-to-the-golf-gti-but-it-doesnt-matter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/543580\/","title":{"rendered":"The Honda Civic Type R Lost Its N\u00fcrburgring Crown To The Golf GTI, But It Doesn’t Matter"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a town as car-centric as N\u00fcrburg, Germany, it\u2019s hard to imagine the town crier\u2019s job being easy. Announcing the latest record holder on the Nordschleife for different classes of automobiles is likely dangerous work, dodging projectiles if enthusiasts don\u2019t take too kindly to out-of-towners rolling in to rip records out of the hands of the local heroes. In the front-wheel-drive category, Honda<\/a> has held tightly to the record for much of the last ten years. In May 2026, Volkswagen<\/a> showed up to take back the record<\/a> by hundredths of a second.<\/p>\n

Civic Type R<\/a> owners are split down the middle when it comes to their cars. Whether they see their cars as the epitome of factory-made Fast and Furious machines or recognize the importance of the Type R\u2019s track performance and regularly take advantage of those qualities, both would agree there\u2019s nothing else like it on the road today. So the CTR lost its title as the fastest FWD production car to lap the Green Hell. We don\u2019t care, and owners won\u2019t care either. It\u2019s still a damn good car.<\/p>\n

Volkswagen Claims The Title<\/p>\n

\"Volkswagen
\n Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 Nurburgring RecordVolkswagen<\/p>\n

VW Golf GTI Edition 50<\/p>\n

Engine<\/p>\n

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4<\/p>\n

Transmission<\/p>\n

7-speed dual-clutch automatic<\/p>\n

Horsepower<\/p>\n

321 HP<\/p>\n

Torque<\/p>\n

310 lb-ft. @ 2,000\u20135,400 RPM<\/p>\n

Top Speed<\/p>\n

167 MPH<\/p>\n

MSRP<\/p>\n

\u20ac54,540 ($63,593)<\/p>\n

Benny Leuchter piloted a Golf GTI Edition 50<\/a> around the complete 12.94-mile Nordschleife in 7:44.523. Leuchter\u2019s r\u00e9sum\u00e9 as VW\u2019s test driver includes a couple of class wins at the 24 Hours of N\u00fcrburgring and the 24 Hours of Dubai, as well as stints in Formula BMW and the now-defunct German Formula Three Championship. The record claimed by Volkswagen shaved just 0.358 seconds off the Civic Type R\u2019s previous record time of 7:44.881.<\/p>\n

Before you go hunting in the classifieds for VW\u2019s semicentennial anniversary edition<\/a>, this variant isn’t available in the US. This high-powered edition of the GTI is only available in Europe, but we can still get our hands on the other performance-built hatchbacks like the Golf R and other GTI models, none of which\u2014to our dismay\u2014are available with a six-speed manual. The Type R keeps its three pedals and manual transmission for 2026, making for a headlining act we can come back for every day of the week.<\/p>\n


\n \"fwd<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Related<\/p>\n

\t\t
\n\t\t\tThe Fastest Front-Wheel Drive Cars Around The N\u00fcrburgring
\n\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

These are ten of the fastest front-wheel-drive cars that have ever lapped the N\u00fcrburgring. <\/p>\n

Honda\u2019s Lost Title Won\u2019t Hurt One Bit<\/p>\n

\"2023
\n The Honda Civic Type R has 315 hp, front-wheel-drive and great handling.Honda<\/p>\n

Honda Civic Type R<\/p>\n

Engine<\/p>\n

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4<\/p>\n

Transmission<\/p>\n

6-speed manual<\/p>\n

Horsepower<\/p>\n

315 HP<\/p>\n

Torque<\/p>\n

310 lb-ft. @ 2,600\u20134,000 RPM<\/p>\n

Top Speed<\/p>\n

170 MPH<\/p>\n

MSRP<\/p>\n

$47,395<\/p>\n

In a nutshell, the Type R is a concoction of the most potent performance parts from race cars, replacing everything about the base vehicle that makes it the fuel-sipping commuter darling of the world. Don\u2019t mistake the CTR for an economy car with some extra go-faster bits taped on. This is Honda\u2019s touring car championship entry distilled for the road. Even better, it doesn\u2019t abandon all-out performance for engagement. For three years, it was enough to keep a record where it mattered most in the realm of performance cars. Its impact elsewhere, however, will last much longer.<\/p>\n

The current generation of the Type R (internally known as the FL5) was first introduced for the 2023 model year, with substantial improvements over the previous model. The 11th-generation Civic received major improvements in interior quality, and its larger proportions led to better comfort and crisper dynamics. Its wheelbase was stretched by 1.4 inches, its width by just 0.1 inches, and it sits slightly lower to the ground by 0.8 inches. As for the Type R variants, horsepower was bumped from 306 hp to 315 hp, and peak torque rose to 310 pound-feet, which kicks in between 2,600 and 4,000 RPM.<\/p>\n

\"2023
\n 2023 Honda Civic Type R interior dynamic\u00a0Honda<\/p>\n

Bore and stroke of the 16-valve DOHC 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine are carried over (86.0mm by 85.9 mm), along with the same 7,000 RPM redline. The final drive of the six-speed gearbox is lower, at 3.842:1, compared to the 10th-generation\u2019s 4.111:1. Weight was increased slightly, by just 67 pounds. The top speed is capped at 170 MPH. Honda offered a Type R Limited Edition on the previous generation, which significantly raised the top speed, with one hitting 180 MPH while setting the lap record for FWD production cars <\/a>at Suzuka Circuit.<\/p>\n

Honda incorporated its LogR performance-tracking application into the current Type R, allowing drivers to monitor vehicle conditions and output. The GPS tracking feature pinpoints performance in selected areas around a closed course for review, displaying data like G-forces, braking, acceleration, and more. Aftermarket data loggers cost thousands of dollars, so it\u2019s a welcome sight to see performance cars bake the technology in, dismissing the need to justify the extra cost if you don\u2019t regularly participate in track days.<\/p>\n


\n \"2025<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Related<\/p>\n

\t\t
\n\t\t\t6-Speed Manual Transmission: Why Six Is The Perfect Number
\n\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

The six-speed manual transmission is used in hot hatches, performance coupes, and even trucks – but what makes it so special?<\/p>\n

The FL5-Generation Civic Type R Is A Used Gem In The Making<\/p>\n

\"2025
\n 2025 Honda CIvic Type R driving front 3\/4Honda<\/p>\n

Less work is required to make this Type R a track-day monster, but either of the two latest Type R generations (the only ones sold new in the US) makes for a great choice. Used versions of prior Type Rs are listed between $30,000 and $ 40,000, with 2026 models posting an MSRP of $48,590 after a $1,195 destination fee. Used FL5 models hold their value just as well as the previous generation, trading between $40,000 and $48,000. Since performance differences stem from slightly more horsepower and fractions of an inch longer wheelbase and track, only drivers with finely tuned hindquarters will feel the real difference.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t make a wrong choice with either generation of Civic Type R from a driving perspective. They both handle amazingly, have super slick shifters, supportive seats, and a gutsy turbo engine. Just choose the one that looks best to you, and don\u2019t look back.\u201d \u2013 Joel Stocksdale, CarBuzz<\/p>\n

Newer models certainly clean up the boy-racer looks of their predecessors and offer a quality interior that feels premium in the ways Mazda has been perfecting<\/a> over the last 15 years. We see this generation Type R remembered for its updated cabin, which returns an air of sophistication despite being adorned with acres of red Alcantara. The exterior sheet metal isn\u2019t nearly as chiseled as older models, a design that, let\u2019s say, doesn\u2019t speak as loudly of its owner as the previous Type R.<\/p>\n

The Type R Still Needs its Driver to Drive it<\/p>\n

\"2023
\n 2023 Honda Civic Type R getting some wheelspin on.Honda<\/p>\n

Not only does a manual transmission moonlight as an anti-theft device, but it\u2019s also the symbol of a mechanical connection between us humans and machines. If the red interior and metal shift knob don\u2019t encourage you to wring this Honda out on a track like Ayrton Senna did with the original NSX<\/a>, you might be better off with the automatic-only duo of VW hatches. Make no mistake, the DSG 7-speed gearbox in the GTI is fantastic at quickly swapping ratios to transmit power to the front wheels, but it’s more business than pleasure.<\/p>\n

It sounds more like a qualm about Waymo taxis and other autonomous vehicles<\/a>, but we like cars that require a flesh-and-blood human to operate. The Type R pulls it all together while still offering cutting-edge racing technology and won\u2019t suspiciously drive off a bridge, which apparently is high praise in this day and age.<\/p>\n

\"2021
\n 2021 Honda Civic Type RHonda<\/p>\n

Honda\u2019s packaging of the latest Type R is a departure from the teenage-angst-inspired 10th generation, which suits either school of thought on Type R ownership. One looks overconfident in its ability to set lap records; the other teaches you a better racing line for the next go-around. Neither can be had with an automatic, further encouraging nothing but the best performance from both car and driver. Besides, a 0.358-second gap is close enough for Honda to return with a lighter driver. Someone wake the crier; this battle is far from over.<\/p>\n

Sources: Honda, Volkswagen, Gear Patrol<\/a>, Road & Track<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In a town as car-centric as N\u00fcrburg, Germany, it\u2019s hard to imagine the town crier\u2019s job being easy.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":543581,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[61,60,80],"class_list":["post-543580","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-technology","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/543580","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=543580"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/543580\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/543581"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=543580"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=543580"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=543580"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}