Until the 2001, Honda Civic Type R, Honda had made some excellent performance cars but they'd not really sold in any great volume in the UK. Of course this wasn't helped by keeping a few Type R editions in Japan only...With a headline 200PS (197 bhp) 2 litre i-VTEC engine, at the time of it's launch it was the most powerful hot hatch on the market. It might have had the underpinnings of a sensible family hatch but this only added to the practical performance car it is. A dash-mounted gear lever might have provided more floor space on the vanilla model, but the Type R it provided a gear shifter that was just 6" from the small leather wheel with the famous red Honda badge. The EP3 CTR was the first car to come with the new fangled i-VTEC - "i" standing for intelligent providing a stepless valve control system. To some the hard edged on-cam off-cam of previous Type Rs had been lost, for others that despised the stepped VTEC transition it was a welcome change.
When officially announced the Civic Type R caused quite a stir - all this performance and Honda build quality for £15,995 - it had been rumoured to cost closer to £20,000. It was cheaper but cuts had been made. Gone was the LSD that featured in not only all previous Type R models but the new Japanese market Civic Type R.
Gone were the Recaro seats, Momo steering wheel and the Type R colour of choice - Championship White.
The Japanese CTR had all of these and to add insult to injury they were all made in Swindon, UK. A few models headed out to Japan found themselves back on a boat heading for the UK - bought by die-hard Type R fans. The Civic Type R doesn't struggle to put it's power down through the front wheels nearly so much as turbocharged models from Ford, or Vauxhall.
The lack of torque actually works in the CTR's favour building as the revs surge towards the 8600rpm redline. The car was even sold with a Motor Appreciation Course to help get the most out of the Civic on the roads, but safely. With 62mph coming up in 6.2 seconds, 100mph in 16.9 seconds and a 145mph top speed the Type R has pace to match a Subaru Impreza WRX once rolling. The non-Recaro seats do a good job of holding you in place with deep alcantara covered bolsters, first gear is almost surplus to requirements, with a light clutch action and superb gearbox second is quickly found swiftly followed by the engine taking on a little bit of high revving F1 fizz as the 6400rpm VTEC cams switch to their longer duration.
Steering feel was often criticised - having gone for electric motor assistance rather than traditional mechanical people found it a little vague. Personally I had no trouble with the steering - yes it could have been improved but for the overall package the CTR offered I could compromise. Honda also have a great reputation for knowing how to make cars handle. The ride is good - firm but well tuned to absorbing the rigours of UK tarmac. The OEM Bridgestone Potenzas hold the road but can do with being replaced much earlier than the minimum markers - especially if wet. I covered 17,000 miles in my Civic Type R and found, as with many owners the K20A2 engine had a thirst for oil - nothing outrageous but worth a monthly check. Indeed other owners felt that Swindon's build quality was not as good as the Japan built models they'd previously owned. Steering racks are seemingly another weak point. While the UK cars never did get an LSD or Championship White paint despite many requests to dealers to pull one destined for Japan off the production line the 30th Anniversary and run-out models did feature the Recaro seats, Momo steering wheel, rear privacy glass and the rather red carpet. Tuning options are plentiful for the Civic Type R - from a wealth of carbon body parts to turbos, superchargers, cams and throttle bodies.
As with any car putting out close to 100bhp per litre, getting more power out will take a bit more development and for that you'll have to pay. The GruppeM Filter Ram Charger is a work of art - a carbon fibre box with an external air scoop. £500+ for an air filter yes, but better £500+ with results than £200 with a loss in power. Adding that missing LSD is also a worthy addition - afterall Honda themselves felt one should be fitted.All in all the Civic Type R is a great package - superb performance, good running costs - I saw around 33mpg and plenty of room in the boot for carrying stuff and a new Civic Type R just around the corner might just push prices down a bit further.
Gone were the Recaro seats, Momo steering wheel and the Type R colour of choice - Championship White.
The Japanese CTR had all of these and to add insult to injury they were all made in Swindon, UK. A few models headed out to Japan found themselves back on a boat heading for the UK - bought by die-hard Type R fans. The Civic Type R doesn't struggle to put it's power down through the front wheels nearly so much as turbocharged models from Ford, or Vauxhall.
The lack of torque actually works in the CTR's favour building as the revs surge towards the 8600rpm redline. The car was even sold with a Motor Appreciation Course to help get the most out of the Civic on the roads, but safely. With 62mph coming up in 6.2 seconds, 100mph in 16.9 seconds and a 145mph top speed the Type R has pace to match a Subaru Impreza WRX once rolling. The non-Recaro seats do a good job of holding you in place with deep alcantara covered bolsters, first gear is almost surplus to requirements, with a light clutch action and superb gearbox second is quickly found swiftly followed by the engine taking on a little bit of high revving F1 fizz as the 6400rpm VTEC cams switch to their longer duration.
Steering feel was often criticised - having gone for electric motor assistance rather than traditional mechanical people found it a little vague. Personally I had no trouble with the steering - yes it could have been improved but for the overall package the CTR offered I could compromise. Honda also have a great reputation for knowing how to make cars handle. The ride is good - firm but well tuned to absorbing the rigours of UK tarmac. The OEM Bridgestone Potenzas hold the road but can do with being replaced much earlier than the minimum markers - especially if wet. I covered 17,000 miles in my Civic Type R and found, as with many owners the K20A2 engine had a thirst for oil - nothing outrageous but worth a monthly check. Indeed other owners felt that Swindon's build quality was not as good as the Japan built models they'd previously owned. Steering racks are seemingly another weak point. While the UK cars never did get an LSD or Championship White paint despite many requests to dealers to pull one destined for Japan off the production line the 30th Anniversary and run-out models did feature the Recaro seats, Momo steering wheel, rear privacy glass and the rather red carpet. Tuning options are plentiful for the Civic Type R - from a wealth of carbon body parts to turbos, superchargers, cams and throttle bodies.
As with any car putting out close to 100bhp per litre, getting more power out will take a bit more development and for that you'll have to pay. The GruppeM Filter Ram Charger is a work of art - a carbon fibre box with an external air scoop. £500+ for an air filter yes, but better £500+ with results than £200 with a loss in power. Adding that missing LSD is also a worthy addition - afterall Honda themselves felt one should be fitted.All in all the Civic Type R is a great package - superb performance, good running costs - I saw around 33mpg and plenty of room in the boot for carrying stuff and a new Civic Type R just around the corner might just push prices down a bit further.
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