True to Soichiro Honda’s spirit of innovation, the introduction of the original Civic Type R in 1997 immediately revolutionized the perception of sports cars in the automotive world.
At a time when engineers dreamed of breaking the naturally aspirated 100 horsepower glass ceiling, the first Civic to receive the R badge put out a whopping 182 horsepower at an unheard-of speed of 8,200 rpm from 1 , 6 to 17 hp. Liter (1,595 ccm) four-cylinder.
Needless to say, this 113 hp / L set a production car record that even surpassed the BMW S70 / 2 V-12 that powers Gordon Murray’s mighty McLaren F1 sports car. Eventually, the reign of the Honda Civic Type R B16B was overturned by the 115 hp / l, 1LR-GUE 4.8 liter V-10 built into the Lexus LFA.
The original Civic Type R with the technical project name EK9 was based on the sixth generation three-door JDM Civic hatchback, known internally as the EK4 SiR.
As with the Integra Type R, the conversion of the Civic SiR to the revolutionary Type R was achieved by reworking an existing model Honda’s Vision of a trackable car that could win races in the hands of a professional driver.
Upgrading SiR creates the original Civic Type R that revolutionized sports cars
Via: ek9.org
To meet the engineering team’s high expectations and to maintain the distinctive Type-R badge that paid homage to the very first Honda RA272 Formula 1 car that led the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix from start to finish, the Civic went through a race prep, which is normally reserved for racing cars is intended for the track. Upgrades like the removal of sound-absorbing material to save weight and the hand-operated cylinder head were usually reserved for expensive, low-volume homologation specials like the Porsche GT3 RSR.
The fact that the original Civic Type R was so equipped gave the car rapid acceleration. Go from 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds and spin the quarter mile for 15.3 seconds before reaching a top speed of 140 mph.
The impressive, straight-line performance was only part of the success story of the Type R. To win races, Honda engineers knew the car had to drive like a racing car. For the first time in Honda history, a production car was treated with a seam-welded monocoque chassis to improve the torsional rigidity of the chassis. To take advantage of this stiffness, the R was equipped with higher spring rates and firmer damping. All over. The rear anti-roll bar has also been spiced up.
To ensure that the somewhat pointed VTEC engine was always in the sweet spot, the original Type R received a six-speed gearbox with a close gear ratio and gear changes controlled by a gear lever adorned with a titanium gear knob. And to ensure that full power drives both wheels through the tightest corners, a helical limited-slip differential was installed.
Not to forget that the Type R, although aimed at sports car enthusiasts, was primarily a road car, the engineers made sure that the driver was in good hands: Equipped with red RECARO bucket seats, red door inserts, red floor mats from Type R, and a leather-wrapped momo steering wheel, an casual bystander would never doubt that this was a special Civic.
Collectors and racers alike keep the original Civic Type R sports car alive
Via: blacktopmedia
The performance that made the EK9 so popular in the 90s is still in demand by classic cars and classic cars around the world. In the UK, where the Civic Hot Hatches are very popular in many racing sports, an imported, original Type R can easily sell for around $ 8,000.
Although racing underpinned the existence of the original Civic Type R, what makes the original such a special collector’s car today is not just its reputation as a symbol of revolutionizing the sports car, but the fact that the EK9 Civic Type R only appeared on the Japanese domestic market was available. This meant that Honda only produced 16,212 EK9s.
Its status as a Japanese cult car also contributes to the attractiveness of the vehicle as a collector’s item. Well-maintained, low-mileage Japanese performance sports cars are attracting international attention as most have either been modified for racing or neglected.
The fact that the Civic made two appearances in The Fast And The Furious, and the original Civic Type R appeared a few years before the film, only adds to the appeal, of course.
With all of these factors in mind, an original Honda Civic Type R auctioned off in Japan in 2020 sold for more than $ 100,000. Of course, this example was in pristine condition with only 2,549 km on the odometer – except for the original radio and the red Recaro sports seats.
When prices go up and newer generations – like the 2021 Honda Civic Type R, which is now available in America – set new front-wheel drive lap records on famous racetracks like the Nürburgring Nordschleife and Suzuka, no one should forget that it was the original Civic Type R, who revolutionized the sports car.
About the author
Peter Els
(3 articles published)
As an engineer with over 40 years of experience in the automotive industry, Peter Els can be summed up in one sentence: “Automotive engineer by profession, transmission of your choice.” Working from his home on the east coast of South Africa, Peter spends most of his time analyzing and writing about cars and the exciting technologies that are driving the future of mobility. He shares his insights, opinions and experiences in several online publications, including a monthly column on the highly regarded Automotive IQ portal, articles on FutureCar, Robotics Business Review and product reviews in the Car Fix Book. When Peter is not writing about cars, he is an avid motorsport fan. After riding a motorcycle for 10 years, he still enjoys track time – although he now rides on four wheels rather than two.
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