The new Honda Civic Type R hot hatchback is officially the world's fastest front-wheel-drive car. The eagerly awaited 306bhp, 167mph (269km/h) car, posted a lap time of just 7 minutes and 50.63 seconds on the legendary Nürburgring racetrack, shaving nearly four whole seconds off the current fastest time. In recent years, the 20.8km circuit has become the de-facto proving ground for any car that wants to claim sporting credentials and in March 2014 a Seat Leon became the fastest front-wheel drive car ever to lap the circuit, setting a remarkable time of 7 minutes and 58.4 seconds. However, just two months later, spurred on by Seat's achievement, Renault broke the record again with a tuned Megan, setting a time of 7 minutes and 54.3 seconds. But as well as obliterating the existing record, the Honda Civic Type R, which goes on sale this summer, priced from €40,000, may have just also thrown down the gauntlet to the competition.