EP3: Revving Up The Performance

The follow-up to the EK9 Civic Type R, was the more European market centered EP3. This performance focused model was introduced in Japan and Europe in 2001 and based on the seventh-generation Honda Civic hatchback. Powered by a high-revving 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine that produced 197 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque it was paired with a 6-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. This performance oriented model allowed the second-generation Civic Type R to hit quarter-mile times of 13.9 seconds, a vast improvement upon the first-generation Type R’s. The EP3 officially introduced the western world to the performance prowess of Honda and they would continue to dominate the high-performance hatchback/sedan market.