New Car Hybrid Cars Review 2008

Honda Civic Type R EK9
by George Prodromou
In 1997, Civic also received the Type R treatment. Based on the 6th generation Civic’s EK9 3-door hatchback body, it was commonly referred to EK9 Type R. Its B16B 1.6-liter DOHC VTEC engine got aggressive tuning including higher compression ratio, lightweight forged pistons, hand polished intake ports and more aggressive VTEC setting. This raised its red line to an astonishing 9000 rpm, maximum power from 170 hp to 185 hp at 8200 rpm. That was some 116 horsepower per liter ! At the time it was the world’s most efficient naturally aspirated engine. On the downside, the small engine capacity limited its max torque to 118 lb-ft and it was delivered in a peaky manner. To compensate for the lack of low down torque, Honda fitted a close-ratio gearbox and ordered its chassis to undergo a strict diet. The result was the deletion of air conditioning, power steering, sound deadening and ABS. Besides, the regular seats were replaced by lightweight Recaro buckets, accompanied with serious-looking Momo steering wheel and titanium gear knob. As a result, the Civic Type R weighed only 1040 kilograms. Use its high-revving power smartly, it could accelerate from 0-60 mph in six point something seconds and flat out at near 140 mph. The chassis of Type R was reinforced by using seam welding and suspension tower brace front and rear. Of course, the double-wishbone suspensions were stiffened a lot to enable flat cornering, while Bridgestone Potenza RE010 tyres provided extra grip. A helical LSD (limited slip differential) was added between the front wheels to ensure no wheelspin during hard cornering. The first generation Civic Type R was a hardcore driver’s car, more so than any hot hatches at the time I could think of. Pictures and information can be found at http://www.reviewgrounds.com

Filed under: Honda, Honda Civic, Hybrid cars, New cars, Sedan Car