The Honda Civic Type-R is a high performance version of the Honda Civic hatchback. It was sold from 1997-2000 in Japan only, and when the new model came out in '01, Honda decided to market it in Europe as well. The 1997 model is shown below. From 1997-2000, the CTR (as it's called in the import tuner world) was powered by a 1.6 liter inline four cylinder, producing 182 horsepower and 117 lb-ft of torque. Putting that power to the ground is a slick-shifting, close-ratio 5 speed manual gearbox. The CTR also received numerous suspension upgrades and lightweight, 7 spoke alloy wheels.
From 2001 to the present, Honda has been producing the version of the CTR shown below. It is sold in Europe and Japan and is powered by a 2.0 liter inline four cylinder producing an impressive 197 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. This powerful engine is mated to a close-ratio 6 speed manual transmission. This hot hatch can sprint from 0-60 in a mere 6.4 seconds! Along with the impressive straight line capability comes wonderful handling as a result of the many suspension and rolling stock upgrades seen on this car. Best of all, the rumors have it that the latest version will be heading stateside near the end of 2003, as a 2004 model.
