GT5 Transcripts/Honda Civic SiR-II EG

When the fifth-generation Civic came around in September 1991, Honda was regarded as one of the foremost front-wheel-drive makers in the world. The new Civic, dubbed the "Sport Civic", took all the values of the previous model and made them slightly better. Three different body styles were offered: a 3-door hatchback, the newly christened "Ferio" 4-door sedan, and a 5-door hatchback, known as the "shuttle". Underneath their hoods were a variety of new engines, most of them featuring VTEC technology: the base models came with a 1.3-liter and 1.5-liter inline-4; mid-level models had either an easy-to-service 1.5-liter SOHC VTEC inline-4 or a fuel-efficient 1.5-liter with VTEC-E; and the premier Civic model was powered by none other than the mighty 1.6-liter DOHC inline-4 that produced 168 HP, 10 HP more than any previous generation SiR motor.

To handle the extra power, Honda engineers stiffened up the car's double wishbone suspension system. The SiR was a pure driver's car, with nothing more than the essentials. The SiR-II, the second and more popular model, added comfort amenities such as air conditioning, power windows and a leather-covered steering wheel. The SiR-II also got a 4-speed automatic transmission. One drawback of the automatic was that the engine's peak output was cut to 153 HP to improve low and medium-range torque. Still, the addition of the automatic transmission definitely broadened the Civic SiR's appeal to an entirely new group of buyers.