WATCH: Honda Civic Type R sets new Suzuka FWD lap record

We already know that the Honda Civic Type R is one fast hot hatch. When it first debuted back in 2017, it shattered the front-wheel-drive record at the Nurburgring with a 7:43.80 lap. The FK8 then held the record until 2019 when it was beaten by the Renault Megane RS Trophy-R. With an updated model introduced last year, it seems the Civic Type R is back to shattering track records. This time around, the hot hatch rewrote the record at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan.

It wasn't just a standard FK8 that rewrote the lap record. Specifically, it was a 2020 Civic Type R Limited Edition, the most extreme version yet, that managed to set a new FWD lap record at Suzuka. The Limited Edition managed to set a lap time of 2:23.993, which is very fast even compared to other production models.

What makes the Limited Edition faster than the standard Civic Type R is the host of performance upgrades it gets. Specifically, it comes with lightweight 20-inch BBS forged wheels wrapped in sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 tires. These alone already provide 10kg savings in unsprung weight. Other track-focused features include deleted infotainment and air conditioning systems. All-in-all, it saves around 47kg as compared to the standard Type R.

Power still comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged VTEC engine producing 320 PS and 400 Nm torque. A 6-speed manual is the only available transmission option. The suspension has also been updated for the 2020 model to improve both handling and ride quality. The exterior remains mostly unchanged apart from some new bits on the bumper. The Limited Edition does come with a special color Sunlight Yellow (or Phoenix Yellow depending on the market). Only 1000 units of the Civic Type R Limited Edition will be sold globally, all of which have already been spoken for.

Honda did not say which vehicle the Type R Limited edition vehicle beat for the FWD record at Suzuka. However, we'll venture a guess that it is another Japanese model as well. We wonder what lap times it can set at our local circuits in Batangas and Clark.