Honda has finally revealed details of its much anticipated production-ready Civic Type after months of teaser images and heavily disguised spy shots.

Update: Civic Type R Breaks Nurburgring Lap Record

Honda announced that a development car had achieved a 7 minutes 50.63 seconds lap time of the 20.8km/12.9mile Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany.

This time is unmatched by any other front-wheel drive performance hatchback.

The lap time was achieved during the final phase of pre-production testing in May 2014 by a Civic Type R development car. The development car was in a standard state of engine tune, with suspension, drivetrain, exhaust, brakes and the aerodynamic package identical to those of the production Civic Type R.

The removal of equipment such as air conditioning, the front passenger seat and audio equipment offset the additional weight of a full roll cage (installed specifically for safety reasons and not to add rigidity).

During the test cycle, the development car used production-specification high-rigidity 19-inch alloy wheels. these were fitted with 235/35R19 road tyres being developed in conjunction with a major European tyre manufacturer especially for the new Civic Type R. The test cycle during which the 7 minutes 50.63 seconds lap time was achieved was part of the tyre’s development and testing process.

Honda has now vowed to follow up this achievement by sending a production Civic Type R around the Nürburgring Nordschleife later this year with the aim of setting a new lap record for a front-wheel drive production car.

The 2015 Civic Type R

Dubbed as a “race car for the road,” the Civic Type R will take on the new Focus RS with its powerful turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that develops 228 kW and 400 Nm of torque. It is connected to a six-speed manual transmission which enables the car to sprint from 0-100 kphin 5.7 seconds before hitting a top speed of 270 kph. The rev limiter is set at 7000 rpm.

The styling changes that are unique to the Civic Type R include a new front bumper with larger air intakes, a front splitter, ventilated front fenders, extended side skirts and flat underbody panels that channel air to the rear diffuser. The car is also equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels with 235/35R19 tyres, a prominent rear wing, and a four-tailpipe exhaust system.

Inside, there’s a pair of high-backed suede seats with red contrast stitching, a leather-wrapped sports steering wheel, aluminium gear knob and roof lining trimmed in black fabric.

An all-new GT Pack offers further enhancements such as red exterior accents as well as front and rear parking sensors, dusk sensing headlamps, rain sensing wipers and power folding door mirrors. Other notable features include a premium audio system, GPS navigation, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and Traffic Sign Recognition.

New suspension technologies

The Civic Type R has a Dual Axis Strut Front Suspension that helps to reduce torque steer by 50 percent – compared to the standard Civic suspension. There’s also a rear “crushed pipe” that improves rear roll rigidity by 180 percent. In addition, the car has a four-point Adaptive Damper System and a Brembo front braking system with four-piston callipers and 350mm drilled discs, as well as a Dual Pinion Electric Power Steering system which promises to deliver “rapid yet linear steering response and abundant feel.”

The all-new Honda Civic Type R is said to go on sale across Europe sometime this year. South African availability isconfirmed and we’ll see it on our roads in 2015.

Race car for the road