True to Soichiro Honda’s innovative spirit, the launch of the original Civic Type R way back in 1997 immediately revolutionized the motoring world’s perception of sports cars.
In an era in which engineers dreamt of breaking through the 100 HP per liter glass-ceiling of the normally aspirated engine, the first Civic to receive the Type R badge churned out a whopping 182 HP at an unheard of 8,200 rpm, from a 1.6-liter (1,595cc) straight-four.
Needless to say, this 113 hp/L set a production-car record that even eclipsed the BMW S70/2 V-12 that powered Gordon Murray’s mighty McLaren F1 sports car. Eventually, the Honda Civic Type R B16B’s reign was toppled by the 115 hp/L, 1LR-GUE 4.8-liter V-10 fitted to the Lexus LFA.
The original Civic Type R, with the engineering project-designation of EK9, was based on the 6th-generation JDM Civic 3-door hatchback, known internally as the EK4 SiR.
As was the case with the Integra Type R, the Civic SiR's transformation into the revolutionary Type R was achieved by reworking an existing model to achieve Honda's vision of a track-capable car that, in the hands of a professional driver, could win races.
Upgrading SiR’s Produces The Original Civic Type R That Revolutionized Sports Cars
To meet the engineering team’s high expectations and earn the distinctive Type R badging 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 usually reserved for racecars destined for the track. Upgrades such as the removal of sound deadening material to save weight, and the hand-ported cylinder head were usually reserved for expensive, low-volume, homologation specials such as the Porsche GT3 RSR.
The fact that the original Civic Type R was thus equipped, gave the car a blistering acceleration. Going from 0 to 60 MPH in 6.7 seconds and turning 15.3 seconds over the quarter-mile, before running on to a top speed of 140 MPH.
While impressive, straight-line performance was only one part of the Type R’s success story. In order to win races, the Honda engineers knew the car also had to handle like a race car. So, for the first time in Honda’s history, a high-volume production car was treated to a seam-welded monocoque chassis to improve the chassis’ torsional rigidity.
To capitalize on this stiffness the R was equipped with higher spring rates and firmer damping, all around. The rear antiroll bar was also beefed up.
To make sure the somewhat peaky VTEC engine was always in the sweet spot, the original Type R was given a six-speed close-ratio gearbox with gear shifts controlled via a shift lever adorned with a titanium shift knob. And to make sure that the full power would drive both wheels through the tightest of corners, a helical limited-slip differential was fitted.
Not forgetting that, although aimed at the sports car enthusiast, the Type R was primarily a road car, the engineers made sure the driver was well taken care of: Equipped with red RECARO bucket seats, red door inserts, red Type R floor mats, and a Momo leather-wrapped steering wheel, a casual bystander would never doubt that this was a special Civic.
Collectors And Racers Keep The Original Civic Type R Sports Car Alive
The performance that made the EK9 so popular in the 1990’s is still sought after by classic- and period-car racers around the world. In the UK, where the Civic Hot Hatches are very popular in many forms of racing, an imported, original Type R can easily go for about $8,000.
Although racing underpinned the very existence of the original Civic Type R, what makes the original such a special collector’s car today is not only its reputation as an icon for revolutionizing the sports car but also the fact that the EK9 Civic Type R was only available on the Japanese domestic market. This meant that Honda only produced 16,212 EK9 examples.
Adding to the appeal of the vehicle as a collectible is its status as a Japanese cult car. Well looked after, low kilometer, Japanese performance sports cars are attracting international attention because most have either been modified for racing or been neglected.
Of course, the fact that the Civic has appeared in The Fast And The Furious twice, with the original Civic Type R predating the movie by a few years, just adds to the allure.
Taking all of these factors into account, an original Honda Civic Type R, sold on auction in Japan in 2020 for more than $100,000. Of course, this example, with only 2,549km on the odometer, was in pristine condition – down to the original radio, and red Recaro sports seats.
So, as prices increase and newer generations - such as the 2021 Honda Civic Type R that is now available in America - set new front-wheel-drive lap records at famous racetracks such as the Nürburgring Nordschleife, and Suzuka, no one should forget that it was the original Civic Type R that revolutionized sports cars.