2023 Honda Civic Type R Sets Suzuka Circuit Lap Record

The Honda Civic Type R took a year off from the market, and we missed it dearly. The return of this hot hatch is upon us.

Thankfully, a new model arrives for the 2023 model year to give us the pint-sized performance machine we want to enjoy racing around on the streets. Of course, this car is a performance model, which means it needs to boast about lap records, spring speeds, or quarter-mile times. Thankfully, that need is now put to rest as this car set a new lap record at the Suzuka Circuit course, beating none other than the previous 2021 model of the exact vehicle.

It’s a New Record for FWD Cars.

Honda doesn’t put AWD in the Type R; they allow this car to be much more similar to the regular Civic models. The all-new Type R finished the fast lap at this racecourse in 2 minutes 23.120 seconds. That record beat the time of the 2021 Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition model that had special equipment included. This gives us the idea that this new Type R will be unique and offer us the driving fun we’ve been waiting for during this one-year hiatus.

That First Look of the New Car

We expect new cars to appear in prototype form with some body cladding and camouflage to hide some of the styling parts, but the Civic style is easy to discern. Even as this car appeared for its first official photos with an attractive red and black camouflage all over it, we can easily see the new look and the different ways this new Civic gives us something more interesting to enjoy than the previous version. Instead of the Hot Wheels-esque style of before, we have a car that looks more like a serious performer.

The Aggression is Unmistakable

While this new Honda Civic Type R sits with its camo covering that barely hides anything from us, we can see how it maintains its aggressive stance with a sporty body kit, a large rear wing, and a tri-tube central rear exhaust, and a sporty wheel and tire package. This car wore Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires with some impressive ten-spoke black wheels during testing. Red Brembo brake calipers could be seen through the spokes, offering yet another performance feature for us to admire about this great new hot hatch.

Is the New Model More Powerful, or Just Faster?

Honda isn’t giving away any secrets yet. So far, speculation offers that we might see a more powerful version of the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine from the previous model. The 2021 model of the Type R provided 306 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque during the drive. We do know the standard six-speed manual transmission is part of the mix. Still, more hints tell us there could also be a dual-clutch automatic transmission to give more drivers a chance to enjoy the Type R. We won’t know until it arrives whether or not this new model is more powerful or simply faster than the previous version.

When Will This New Version of the Type R Arrive?

The 2023 Honda Civic Type R is expected to arrive in the summer to give us an early2023 model. The anticipated starting price should be nearly $40,000, but that might change. If you loved the last Type R performance but hated the style, you’ll be pleased to see what this car offers when it shows up. This new model is a bit more mature on the outside while being more fun on the inside, at least that’s what we think based on the new lap time record set at the Suzuka International Racing Course.