Living in the shadow of the brilliant eighth generation Civic, the ninth generation Civic had skipped the Type R in the generation lineup. Honda’s tenth generation turbocharged Civic, known as the FC1, looks set to prove that the best Hondas of all time have a related Type R sibling.
There is a lot to like about the Civic Turbo, since it has been designed to be a posh mid-range sedan, but has power and torque numbers within spitting distance from the eighth-generation Civic Type R, the FD2R.
With the only let down being only offered in one transmission choice locally, that hasn’t stopped this car’s owner from turning his comfy spaceship into a rocketship, just short of a hyperdrive propulsion system.
With the FC1 being a relatively new platform for both the owner and the tuning industry, hardcore performance components are still not widely available, or under development. Bolt on performance parts such as the intake pipings are available, and some of which have been customized to fit the tight space in the FC1’s engine bay.
Honda’s Earthdreams turbo is a new horizon for tuners alike too, and this car has given a new tune by a local tuner, Joel from Driven – using a Hondata. The extra punch extracted from the stock engine with several intake bolt-ons is only limited by the absence of a legal exhaust system and the very limit of the CVT transmission.
While many see the CVT transmission as a crippling blow to the Civic appeal, this everyday road warrior does offer a purist a degree of driving joy with a seven-speed gear override through the steering wheel’s shifter paddles.
The biggest hurdle to create a CVT-equipped car which can put the power down to the road is the amount of heat it generates. With this car kitted with the cooling aids for the engine, the transmission also has its own dedicated fluid cooler to maintain the optimal operating temperature.
Being a track day aficionado is the main reason behind the choice of Potenza RE71R tyres, enlarged rotors, new four piston front brakes, and a few suspension tuning bits to tweak this highway cruiser into a track day bruiser.
The suspension tuning was dialed in with a BC coilovers to set the ride height, then further improved with Hardrace bushings and adjusters for finer angles adjustment. Further aiding the car’s dynamics are two different brands of sway bars – a result of having experimented with four combinations.
With the only wish that this car having a manual transmission, it has been serving the owner well for his many track days as well as a daily commuter!
Honda Civic 1.5 Sedan VTEC Turbo
Engine
Invidia front pipe
Mishimoto oil catch can
AEM Charge pipe
Custom intake pipe with apexi filter
Koyorad full alu racing radiator
Spoon low temp thermostat
Hasport 70 bottom torque damper
Aftmkt intercooler
Works engineering engine oil cap
Works engineering radiator cap
Hondata tuned by Joel from Driven
Custom Oil cooler
Custom CVT Transmission cooler
Undercarriage
BC Coilovers
Hardrace RCA
Hardrace Rear camber arm
Hardrace Rear anti roll bar
Custom 4 Piston front brake calipers
355mm slotted front rotor
330mm slotted rear rotor
Cusco front strut bar
Hyper GT Style 18×8.5j wheels
Bridgestone RE71R tires
Ultra Racing front sway bar
Exterior
FC450 Yofer Kit
Custom candy red highlights
Interior:
CF AC panel
CF Push Start panel
Sscus Bucket Seats
