This Is The Evolution Of The Honda Civic Type R | HotCars – HotCars

The Honda Civic Type R just keeps getting faster with age, but no matter which year you opt for, this performance Civic will give you a thrilling ride

The talented engineer Honda Soichiro founded the Honda Technical Research Institute in 1946 to produce small engines. The Honda C-100, a small-engine bike, was introduced 7 years later and by 1959 was the best selling motorcycle in the world. While the company is a leading motorcycle manufacturer, the bulk of its sales come from automobiles, which Honda started producing in 1963. Among its fuel-efficient cars have been the Civic and Accord.

The Honda Civic Type R is one of the hottest hatches in the world. Its red badge has been a symbol of Japanese engineering marvel and performance. It comes in a lightweight body and features upgraded chassis and brakes. The car had been a forbidden fruit in the US ever since the introduction in 1997. But in 2017, the US could finally get its hands on the Type R. This is why we love the Honda Civic Type R.

The 1997 EK9 was the first Civic to get the Type R nameplate. Under the hood sat a B16B engine boasting the highest power output per liter of all time for a naturally-aspirated unit. It delivered 182 hp at 8.200 rpm. For the first time the company used seam welded monocoque chassis.

In 2001, Honda unveiled the EP3 to the UK market, which was a hot 3-door hatchback. It featured a 197-hp 2.0L engine and a unique treatment of upgraded brakes and seam welding. Thanks to these enhancements, the EP3 could hit 60 mph in 5.8 seconds and get to a top speed of 141 mph.

In 2003, Honda decided to celebrate 30 years of the Civic by offering a unique Civic Type R. These models were available in silver, black, and red. Only 300 units were made, 100 in each color. Under the hood sat the same 2.0L engine that pushed the car to 100 mph in 15.1 seconds.

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In 2005, Honda released the final Premier Edition EP3 Type R with tinted rear windows and enhanced interior materials. The car left the factory with one of the Honda's best engines, the K20 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder unit that was good for 212 hp. Today, these models are starting to fetch good money.

For the first time, the Civic Type R was sold as a four-door saloon. The engine generated 222 horsepower at 8.000 rpm and 159 lb. ft. of torque at 6.100 rpm. According to Honda, the chassis was 50% more rigid than those in previous Type Rs. Aluminum was extensively used to save weight.

The 2007 FN2 was offered only in Europe as a three-door hatchback and used unique chassis and internal layout. The car offered 198 horsepower at 7.800 rpm and 142 lb. ft. of torque at 5.600 rpm. Thanks to aluminum body panels, its curb weight was only 2.910 lbs. It rode on 19-inch Rage alloys.

The 2015 FK2 was powered by the Direct Fuel Injection 1,996 cc turbocharged inline-four engine with a power output of 306 hp and maximum torque of 295 lb. ft. The engine was mated to a six-speed manual transmission. According to Honda, the car could hit 62 mph in 5.7 seconds.

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The 2016 Honda Civic Type-R was a real deal - a raw and aggressive hatch. It was the second time the Japanese company turbocharged the Civic, taking everyone's favorite car to a new level. To match its racer looks, the Type-R packed a 2.0L VTEC engine delivering 228 kW and 400 Nm.

The 2016 Mugen Type R was an aerodynamic package for the Civic. It included unique front canards and side skirts, an upgraded rear diffuser, and a new front lip spoiler. All parts were made of carbon fiber with a carbon fiber hood as an option. A new exhaust system featured a monstrous pipe.

The 2017 Civic Type-R was an entirely different car American enthusiasts lusted for. The turbocharged 2.0L engine was at its core to break from the old-style performance. The unit cranked out 306 horsepower and 295 lb. ft. of torque. Honda said there were 3.117 pounds to pull around, and the engine did it without a hiccup.

The 2017 FK8 got the same turbocharged engine as its predecessor but the power was increased to 316 hp. The engine was paired with a six-speed manual transmission to continue the tradition of previous Type Rs. With a top speed of 169 mph, it was the fastest Civic Type R to date.

RELATED:2020 Honda Civic Type R Receives Performance, Styling Updates

In 2017, the Type-R achieved a lap time of 7:43.80 on the Nrburgring and set a record for the fastest front-wheel-drive car. It also won many awards. It was voted "International Editors Choice and overall Car of the Year 2017." What Car also awarded the Type R its Hot Hatch of the Year award.

The 2018 Civic Type-R featured a massaged version of the tried and tested 2.0L turbocharged engine good for 306 hp and 295 lb. ft. of torque. According to drivers who've tested the car, the torque came on nicely and resulted in ample hustle. With the exhaust pipes the size of cannons, the noise wasn't overpowering.

In 2019, Honda finally perfected the performance of the Civic Type R by prioritizing chassis tuning. The powertrain is a six-speed manual transmission paired with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This setup delivers 306 horsepower, which is more than enough to fill your stomach with butterflies. The hatchback gets to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds.

The 2020 Honda Civic Type-R features an exclusive turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 306 hp and 295 lb. ft. of torque. The most notable upgrades include new brake rotors to "inhibit fade during hard braking" and revised front suspension to improve steering feel. As a bonus, the 2020 model gets lots of driver-assist features.

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Chris is a proficient reader and writer. He has written for many publications including TheRichest, TheClever, TheQuiz, and ListVerse. Cars are his passion.

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This Is The Evolution Of The Honda Civic Type R | HotCars - HotCars