Honda has a reputation among consumers: for reliability, for capability, for consistency. But what about innovation? Imagination? Speed?
Honda has a long history, and race-capable vehicles are certainly a part of it. Starting as early as 1984, Honda has dabbled in producing, distributing, and racing high-speed cars. These seven are among Honda’s fastest vehicles ever produced.
Beyond the Civic Type R: A Glimpse at Some of Honda’s Most Powerful Cars
Honda Civic Type-R
The Civic Type-R is fast. So fast that it makes the list of Honda’s speediest cars of all time. Though the car is only cruising European streets for now, it’s confirmed to be coming to America sometime soon. The most recent model boasts 306 horsepower and a top estimated speed of 167 MPH, via its revolutionary I-VTEC 2.0L turbocharged engine. The 2018 model will likely bring a package with even more power and speed.
Starting what will likely be a long, successful racing career, the Euro Civic Type-R won its first championship title in the 2015 British Touring Car Championship. That’s not the Type R’s only claim to fame though. It’s impressive 7:50 lap time at Nürburgring gave it a leg up over 10 other highly reputable sports cars.
Honda Civic Si
The Type-R isn’t the only Honda Civic that packed some serious power into a compact car. First produced in Japan in 1984, the Civic SI’s most recent update was with the 9th generation launch in 2011. This model offers 201 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. of torque.
In comparison to the Type R, the Civic SI has qualities that make it more driveable for a normal, non-competing car buyer. Though it produces less power and speed, features like sound deadening, luxury options, and an audio system make it a more comfortable choice for some drivers.
Honda Integra Type-R
Debuting in 1995, the Integra Type-R was first introduced in the Japanese Domestic Market. All components of the Integra from the engine to the exterior were revised with updates to boost performance when building the Integra Type-R.
When the powerful car came to the U.S. in 1997, it produced 195 horsepower with its VTEC 4-cylinder engine and came with the sole add-on option of air conditioning. At the time of its U.S. debut, the Integra Type R set the record for the most power per liter of naturally aspirated piston engine ever produced in the U.S. (108-hp per liter).
Honda S2000
Manufactured between 1999 and 2009, the Honda S2000 is a competitive roadster that was launched in celebration of Honda’s 50th anniversary. Though it’s first version received several updates and revisions during the decade it was manufactured, the first model year produced around 240 horsepower with a 4-cylinder VTEC engine.
Though production has been several years retired, there are rumors that Honda may revisit the Anniversary Car idea to celebrate its 70th in 2018. And what better car to gift itself than the trusty S2000?
S2000 CR
The S2000 CR hit streets in 2009 as a limited edition version of its older brother, the S2000. Honda is said to have built only 1400 of this “club racer” (yes, that’s what CR stands for). The exclusive car made it’s debut at the New York International Auto Show in 2007.
Though the CR didn’t actually produce more horsepower than the original S2000, a reimagined and lighter design saved the S2000 CR 90 lbs., allowing for heightened performance without a real power boost.
NSX
Known in North America as the Acura NSX, the Honda NSX is a 2-seat sports car with origins as far back as 1984. Powered by a V6 engine, the NSX was presented at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show and became available for purchase in 1990. The NSX came to be the world’s first mass-produced car with an all-aluminum body.
When reintroduced with a later production model, the NSX was said to stand for “New Sports EXperience.” The 2017 Honda NSX model is highly-customizable and features a V6 twin-turbo hand-assembled engine.
NSX Type-R
The NSX Type-R (or NSX-R) is the 1992 version of the NSX, optimized specifically for racing performance. Leaving behind the comforts and amenities of the original NSX, the NSX Type-R is stripped for reduced weight and tuned for superior handling at max speeds.
Almost 270 lbs lighter than it’s older sibling, the NSX-R is capable and quick on the track, though the ride can be jerky and loud. Its final stats rolled in at 276 horsepower and 224 lb.-ft. of torque. Production of the NSX-R ended in 1995.
Honda Performance is Unparalleled
With a history littered with innovation and a modern inventory of popular, consistent cars, the Honda name can hold its own on the track or the highway.
Leave a Reply