HONDA Civic Type-R 2001-2005 Photos, engines & full specs

The Type R was the sportiest version of the well-known Honda Civic. Its 8000 rpm screaming engine transformed the 3-door hatchback into an intoxicating hot-hatch.

The seventh generation of the Honda Civic was available in a few body versions, including a coupe, a sedan, a 5-door hatchback, and the 3-door version. The latter was offered as a TypeR as well. It was the first Civic TypeR built in the U.K. and the first to be offered on European soil.

Over time, it gained a lot of nicknames, from the "bread-van" to "screaming box on wheels," but its look was simple and designed with the "form follow function" concept. A pair of triangular-shaped headlights, with corner-mounted white turn-signals, and a smiling radiator grille didn't give a clue about what the car could do. The lower grille in the front helped to cool the engine.

Inside, Honda installed red&black sport-bucket Recaro seats with integrated headrests. The rear bench was black with a split-folding seatback to expand the small trunk. Like the 5-door version, the Type R featured an in-dash gear-stick that popped-out through the center stack. Honda installed it there to be closer to the steering wheel and easier to shift gears. The stereo-CD was fitted as standard. Later on, Honda offered a sat-nav system on the options list in selected countries.

The TypeR magic happened under the hood, where the 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine provided 200 hp. The four-pot featured the VTEC (Variable Valve Timing & Lift Electronic Control) system that allowed the car to go over the magical 100 hp/liter barrier. It was paired to a 6-speed manual and sent the power to the front wheels via a helical LSD. It's stiffer, fully independent suspension and weight balance made it a fast-cornering car.