The Honda Civic Type R is one of the industry’s quintessential hot hatches and of them all, it is the second-generation model, known as the EP3, which is considered the gold standard. Unfortunately, Honda never offered the Type R edition over in North America where we had to make do with the more anemic 160hp / 5sp manual Si/SiR model.
Honda built the EP3 Civic Type R from 2001 through 2006 offering it in other parts of the world, including the Old Continent. It left the factory with one of the Japanese brand’s all singing, all dancing K20 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engines with VTEC that was good for up to 212 hp (215 PS) in Japanese specification and 197 hp (200PS) in Euro form, paired to a six-speed manual transmission.
To see what the EP3 model is all about, AutoTopNL recently jumped behind the wheel of a modified European market example. This particular Civic Type R from 2005 is the facelifted model. Furthermore, it includes a 70 mm Tegiwa throttle body, Skunk 2 ultra inlet manifold and Tegiwa headers and is now said to be good for 260 hp, all of which is transferred through the front wheels courtesy of a slick-shifting manual gearbox.
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While many corners of the internet like to make fun of Honda’s high-revving VTEC engines from this time period, the truth is that they are among the most characterful four-cylinder engines ever produced and are a joy to rev out. When combined with a short-throw shifter like this, we’re sure this Civic Type R is an absolutely blast to drive and would leave you with a big grin on your face, even if it didn’t have the best handling in its class.
The current Honda Civic Type R is widely regarded as one of the best hot hatches on the market and is certainly much quicker than the EP3-generation car. However, we’re sure hustling the older car up a mountain road would be just as enjoyable.