The Honda Civic EK9 Type R is regarded as one of the most extreme R models ever produced for the Japanese Domestic Market and even today the car's performance is remarkable.
Starting with a base EK4 shell, the car was seam welded in key areas to increase rigidity - a first for a mainstream production car at the time. Strut bars were added and a fanatical weight loss programme was undertaken - including removing sound deadening. This resulted in - depending on spec - a car with a kerb weight of just 1073 kgs.
With a lightweight stiff motorsport spec monocoque - the running gear featured the iconic 1.6-litre hand ported B16B engine that boasted one of the highest power outputs per litre of all time for a naturally aspirated engine. The engine delivered 182 horsepower at 8,200 rpm and 118 lb ft at 7,500 rpm, resulting in a 146 mph 1600cc hatchback!
The engine was mated to a close-ratio 5-speed manual transmission which put the power down on the road through a front helical limited-slip differential.
The EK9 Type R featured a distinctive red themed interior, with red Recaro bucket seats, red door cards, and red Type R floor mats. Further emphasising the no-compromise approach, Honda fitted the Type R with a titanium shift knob and a Momo leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Sold only in Japan - approximately 16000 examples were made and due to the extreme nature of the car and the inevitable extensive track use the car was bred for, there are certainly less great condition examples left today!
Our example here is one of the finest condition examples available anywhere with a more or less standard factory specification, apart from a performance exhaust system and the fitment of the ultra desirable magnesium Volk Racing TE37 wheels and competition Spoon calipers.