The Engineer drives: Honda Civic Type R is a fast piece of work

Chris Pickering gets to grips with the Honda Civic Type R, the fastest front-wheel-drive production car to lap the fearsome Nürburgring Nordschleife

Decked out with more vents and spoilers than a Friday night in a McDonald’s drive-through , the new Honda Civic Type R could never be accused of hiding its light under a bushel. But what you see here is the real deal. It’s the fastest front-wheel-drive production car ever to lap the fearsome Nürburgring Nordschleife. Find a long enough straight and it will crack the best part of 170mph.

Under the bonnet there’s a two-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 320PS (316bhp) and 400Nm of torque. It’s a relatively mild revision of the engine found in the previous generation Honda Civic Type R, which courted controversy somewhat among Honda fans by abandoning the brand’s traditional high-revving naturally aspirated format in favour of forced induction.

Two years down the line, things have moved on. The idea of a turbocharged Honda no longer raises any eyebrows and neither does the firm’s decision to put all that power through the front wheels. While an increasing number of hot hatches are now turning to four-wheel drive, Honda points out that a front-wheel drive set-up is both lighter and more efficient.