Performance Review: Honda Civic Type R 1.6 16v - EK9 - [1997]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Honda Civic Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Honda Civic Type R 1.6 16v - EK9 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1997. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1997 McLaren F1 GT 6.1 V12.This particular Honda Civic has a 1595cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Civic shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Civic's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1090 kgs (2403 lbs) this makes the Honda Civic Type R 1.6 16v - EK9 in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Honda Civic shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 1595cc 16V St4 engine produces 183 bhp (136 kW) @ 8200 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 118 lb-ft (159.9 Nm) @ 7500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (140 lb-ft) or the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Honda Civic you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo DSG (192.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Honda Civic.

The Honda Civic has a Power to weight ratio of 167.8 bhp per ton and 108.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1997 Civic competing with the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo DSG (192.7 bhp per ton) or the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS 2.0 Turbo (192.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Honda Civic generating around 108.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (133.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2002 Land-Rover Range Rover V8 Vogue (133.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.8 secs, this made the Honda Civic Type R 1.6 16v - EK9 as fast as the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (6.60 secs) the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI S-tronic Quattro Sportback (6.60 secs) the 2014 Audi A1 1.8 TFSI S-TRONIC (6.60 secs) the or the 2013 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (6.60 secs). This Honda Civic Type R 1.6 16v - EK9 is also faster than the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (6.70 secs) the 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.70 secs) the 2012 Dodge Charger SXT Blacktop 3.6L V6 (6.70 secs) the and the 2012 Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati 1.4 Turbo (6.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Civic and the 1986 Ferrari 412 i 4.9 V12

When talking about the performance of the Honda Civic on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.62 secs @ 93.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1986 Ferrari 412 i 4.9 V12 (14.56 secs), the 1997 Audi A4 S4 2.7T Quattro (14.56 secs), and the 2010 Alfa-Romeo Giulietta 235 Cloverleaf (14.56 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1997 version of the Honda Civic Type R 1.6 16v - EK9 has a maximum speed of 0mph.

Top Speed of the 1997 Civic equals the 1953 Ford F-100 4.5 V8 (65 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1997 Honda Civic Type R 1.6 16v - EK9 then how about the 1953 Ford F-100 4.5 V8 (65 mph), the 1992 Hummer H1 6.2 V8 4 Door (68 mph), or the 1961 Renault 4 L Export (70 mph).

Related Links:

1997 Civic Rivals List.

A Brief History of Honda

Car Comparison