2002 Honda Civic Type-R - Honda Civics stuffed amongst DOHC VTEC engines cause got earned a reputation for beingness the Dr. Jekyll as well as Mr. Hyde of the compact machine world. Behaving non much differently from its to a greater extent than docile stablemates, the Civic undergoes a transformation 1 time yous spin the engine yesteryear 6000 rpm. The minute VTEC cam profile engages, the engine Federal Reserve annotation turns into a Formula-One soundtrack, as well as yous cause got virtually 2000 to a greater extent than rpm to become earlier reaching for the side yesteryear side gear. Suddenly the unassuming picayune Honda tin give a BMW 325i a run for its money, at to the lowest degree on this side of 100 km/h.
If that’s so, thence let’s welcome the proficient doc whose ingestion of elixir has left him permanently inward Mr. Hyde mode: the Civic Type-R. This is no less than a racing version of the Civic, somewhat detuned for route use. Or looked at around other way, exactly a few tweaks as well as a rollcage away from beingness track-ready.
The starting fourth dimension as well as most of import of the racing parts tin live flora nether the hood, inward brilliant cherry finish. This powerplant tin set your typical SiR engine to shame. Powerful every bit it is, the SiR’s is the lowest rung on the DOHC VTEC hierarchy at 157 bhp. The criterion Civic Type-R’s 1.6 liter is tuned for 187 bhp, but this 1 has been stroked to 1.8 liters. Output is 207 bhp or 115 bhp / liter, higher per displacement that of a Ferrari 360 Modena. That figure nearly matches the 120-bhp / liter benchmark for a normally-aspirated roadcar engine. Of class that tape also belongs to a Honda VTEC, the S2000’s. The Civic’s engine starts upwards silently as well as apace settles to a growling idle. The deep exhaust Federal Reserve annotation lone is an opened upwards invitation, seemingly taunting us to become out as well as play.
On the opened upwards road, this is indeed 1 engine yous tin play with. Acceleration is instantaneous amongst the slightest dip of your correct foot—no demand to hold back for the VTEC changeover point. Or thence it seems. Then yous create activate the minute cam profile at 5700 rpm, as well as of a abrupt the yesteryear was exactly prelude: yous move into an exclusively novel scale of acceleration. Warp speed, captain? The engine eagerly obliges every bit the tach needle spins clockwise inward a blur as well as the machine catapults forward.
In this car, 5000 rpm is non where yous shift up; it’s where yous shift down. Downshifting at that speed spins the engine to virtually 7000, giving a renewed flare-up of acceleration. This works amongst upshifting, too—the five-speed manual has well-spaced gears. Shifting at virtually 8500 rpm keeps the engine inward racing mode, allowing unhampered progress through the gears. As the tach spins yesteryear 8000 rpm yous powerfulness cause got visions of pistons flight out through the hood, but non to worry. The engine redlines at a certifiably insane 9500 rpm. But given that this is a VTEC, it’s every bit unbreakable every bit the Terminator, thence you’re gratuitous to redline it whenever yous wish.
The Type-R was built to race on circuits as well as non exactly the drag strip, thence enhancements cause got been made to the four-wheel double-wishbone suspension. The springs cause got been stiffened as well as the anti-roll bars upgraded. Ride tiptop is also lowered, but non thence depression every bit to scrape every hump or driveway. The chassis is also reinforced at sure points to increase stiffness. There’s a carbon-fiber brace connecting the strut towers to cut chassis flex fifty-fifty further.
Indeed, the Type-R’s body as well as suspension are strong plenty that the machine tin stand upwards on iii wheels when cornered at racing speeds. Ride character is unforgivingly harsh, but who cares? This is a racing machine, non a luxury cruiser. Cornering is apartment as well as utterly stable; there’s nearly zero body gyre fifty-fifty through the tightest of turns. The steering cycle is quite talkative virtually what the front end tires are upwards to. Twist that cycle as well as there’s no lag inward response.
No affair how strong the chassis is, running 207 bhp through the front end wheels tin wreak havoc amongst the steering, throwing the machine into the hedge when yous to the lowest degree await it. To brand sure the machine stays pointed inward the correct direction, a helical limited-slip differential eliminates torque steer. The large four-wheel disc brakes taken from the mighty NSX are upwards to the project of scrubbing off repeatedly for an entire race distance. Pedal experience is theater as well as linear.
The LSD as well as larger brakes increase the performance, but they create add together to car’s weight. Many of the inner body panels are thicker to withstand the greater loads, as well as the suspension arms cause got been strengthened also. To compensate, the windshield is made of thinner glass, as well as the audio insulation has been tossed out. Another weight-saving mensurate is the carbon-fiber hood; yous tin elevator it amongst 1 finger. These are upgrades that the corner tuning store can’t perform. Clearly, the best tuner to create the chore is the companionship that manufactured the machine inward the starting fourth dimension place.
Even amongst all those changes, this Civic tin disappear into a queue of ordinary Civic hatchbacks. There's a front end airdam, as well as bring upwards as well as side skirts. A minor spoiler is also attached to the direct identify of the bring upwards hatch. Discreet cherry "H" are at front end as well as rear, as well as "Type R" badges are at the bring upwards flanks. Those needing to a greater extent than attending demand non apply, then.
Honda also included around neat touches inward the car’s cabin. A relief from all the greyish plastic is a splash of brilliant red-the duet of Recaro buckets inward the front. The seats are lightweight but amongst heavy bolstering. There’s a Momo leather steering cycle amongst cherry stitching, consummate amongst airbag. H5N1 hand-drop from that cycle is the titanium shift knob, activating a short-throw five-speed. The gauges are conventional white-on-black, but surrounded yesteryear carbon-fiber trim. Appropriately, the tachometer reads all the agency to 10,000 rpm, but compassion that it isn’t at the centre of the approximate cluster.
Practicality is non the raison d'être of this car, but at that topographic point are 2 normal-sized bring upwards seats as well as a large trunk. The Civic is 1 of the most user-friendly cars on earth, but the Type-R goes to the reverse extreme. It’s non a Civic that behaves unremarkably but tin become fast when called upon, similar the VTi or SiR. It’s a street-legal racer amongst a few compromises to teach inward tolerable every bit a daily driver. Those who select to create thence may seem a picayune nutty, but they tin accept comfort from the fact that Mr. Hyde may live the madman of the two, but he’s for certain the 1 who has to a greater extent than fun.
Car Review - 2002 Honda Civic Type-R Features & Specifications
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