GT5 Transcripts/Honda CIVIC TYPE R (EK) '97

When you talk about hot Honda Civics, surely the 6th iteration of this compact-car icon that first appeared in 1972 would take the forefront of the conversation. The car known in-house as the "EK" and dubbed by Civic loyalists as the "Miracle Civic" arrived in 1995. It boasted excellent fuel economy, high output three-stage VTEC, and a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) called the Honda Multimatic.

It came in 3-door hatchback and sedan forms, the latter called the Ferio in Japan. This Civic won Japan's prestigious Car of the Year award, as well as racking up a number of different honors all over the world. In August 1997, Honda introduced a "Type R" variant, which was based on the Civic hatchback. It was the first "Type R" model in Civic's history.

The engine of the Civic Type R was a B16B, a 1.6-liter DOHC 16-valve inline-4, equipped with VTEC. The engine cranked out an amazing 182 HP/8200 rpm, figured previously unheard of in a naturally-aspirated engine. Also, it was lighter than the other Civics, making it that much quicker off the line.

The car was also an excellent handling machine thanks to a lowered body and firmer suspension. Naturally, the Type R made for an exceptional racer, with many victories in Grassroots Motorsports and in Japan's Super Taikyu endurance series. Even after all these years, the car still has a loyal following.