Honda Civic (sixth generation)

1999 Honda Civic Si

After a brief hiatus, the Civic Si reappeared in 1999, available as a coupé only. With the adoption of the VTi badge in Europe and the SiR and Type R badges in Japan for the sports variants of Civics, the Si became primarily a US-specific badge, a branding trend that would continue in subsequent Civic generations. Accelerating from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 7.1 seconds, the 1999 Civic Si trim package featured a 1.6-litre B16A2 engine that made 160 hp (119 kW) at 8,000 rpm and 111 ft-lbs of torque at 7,000 rpm. While similar to the powerplant in the Del Sol VTEC, the Civic Si saw some notable differences, which include a larger throttle body, improved intake manifold, strengthened connecting rods, low-friction/high-silicon pistons, a fully counterweighted crankshaft, and an exhaust system with larger-diameter piping. Due to its good fuel economy (27/31 city/hwy MPG), and a more popular coupe form, the trim package garnered a dedicated following in spite of its short production cycle.[9]

In Canada, the Acura EL doesn’t use the Type-S trim.

Changes from the standard Civic included stiffer, progressive-rate springs, stiffer front and rear anti-roll bars, and a tower brace, which contributed to a flatter-cornering ride. It was available with a five-speed manual transmission only, the exhaust was upgraded to a 2 1/4 inch to reduce back pressure, standard equipment also including disc brakes all around. Aesthetic exterior changes from the LX/EX trims were minimal, with the Si trim package featuring a lower-profile and wider 15-inch wheel/tire package, a subtle chin-spoiler, painted side sills, and Si badging. There are power locks, power windows, a CD player, cruise control, air conditioning, power sunroof, and tilt steering.[10] For the interior, the sixth generation Si also had tilt adjustment for the bottom cushion, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote keyless entry, and red-faced instrumentation with Si branding.

The CX, DX, VP and LX trim packages used the SOHC 16v D16Y7 engine. It produced 106 hp (79 kW) at 6,200 RPM and 103 lb⋅ft (140 N⋅m) of torque at 4,600 RPM, with a compression ratio of 9.6:1. Fuel injection was multi-point.[11]

The HX trim had the SOHC 16v D16Y5 lean-burn engine with VTEC-E. It produced 115 hp (86 kW) at 6,300 RPM and 104 lb⋅ft (141 N⋅m) of torque at 5,400 RPM, with a compression ratio of 9.4:1. Fuel injection was multi-point.[12][13]

The EX trim (Canadian Si trim) had the SOHC 16v D16Y8 engine with VTEC. It produced 127 hp (95 kW) at 6,600 RPM and 107 lb⋅ft (145 N⋅m) of torque at 5,500 RPM, with a compression ratio of 9.6:1. Fuel injection was multi-point.[14][15]

The Si trim (Canadian SiR trim) used the DOHC 16v B16A2 engine with VTEC. It produced 160 hp (119 kW) at 7,600 RPM and 111 lb⋅ft (150 N⋅m) of torque at 7,000 RPM, with a compression ratio of 10.2:1. Fuel injection was multi-point.[16][17]

The GX trim had the D16B5 engine designed to run on compressed natural gas. It had a compression ratio of 12.5:1.

In the UK, Europe, South Africa and the Philippines, there were a number of sedans and Aerodecks between 1996 and 2000 produced with the B16A1, B16A2, B18B and even B18C motors.

In the Middle East market, the Civic came with a 105 hp (78 kW) D15Z4 engine for LXi and EXi trims.

Interior

In Japan, the least expensive trim package was the EL (and also a short-lived special EL-II trim), powered by a 1,343 cc D13B engine with 91 PS (67 kW) at 6,300 RPM. As for most of the sixth generation Civics, it was a SOHC 16v design.[18]

In Japan, the Civic Ferio SiR used the second generation B16A engine while the other trims used D15B, D16A or D13B engines.

in Australia, most trims came such as the CXi and GLi came with the D16Y4 engine; the VTi sedan trim had the D16Y5, the VTI coupe the D16Y8 and the VTi-R ek4 Hatchback and Coupe had the B16A2 engine.

Canadian trim packages were mostly similar to the United States, though with different designations. Canadian Civic sedans came in LX, EX and SE,[20] which roughly correspond to the American DX and LX; there was no Honda-branded Canadian equivalent to the American EX sedan - the Canadian-market only Acura EL filled this spot. Canadian Civic coupes came in DX, Si, and SiR, the equivalent of the DX, EX, and Si in the United States. Only the EX sedan, Si coupe and SiR coupe had power locks and power windows, the Si and SiR coupes were the only Canadian Civic trims with a power moonroof. All sedans and coupes had a group option package available that added air conditioning and anti-lock brakes. The hatchbacks, available only in CX and DX trims, were sold as economy cars; as in the US, they had none of the amenities of other trims in the Civic lineup, not even as options. All sedans, coupes, and the hatchback DX had two front airbags; while the CX hatchback had the driver's side airbag only.

Canadian SiR and Si trims included ABS and heated mirrors, which better suited the Canadian climate of long winters, which were not included on the American Si trims. The Canadian SiR also was available in New Vogue Silver Metallic, which was not available for the American Si trim.

The Civic DX Special Edition (SE) hatchback was a special trim package released for the year 2000 only. The car was similar to the Canadian DX hatchback, but came with additional standard parts including mesh 14-inch wheels (identical to an optional wheel in the Japanese market beginning with the previous generation of Civic, and similar in design to the common third generation 15-inch Integra mesh wheels), body-coloured side mirrors and side mouldings, a mid-wing and a Special badge on the rear of the hatch.

The Civic was introduced in 1996 initially with two 1.6-litre engines. The D16Y8 (95kw) VTEC motor was found in the VTI coupe (EJ8), while the non-VTEC D16Y4 (88kw) was standard across the range in the GLi and CXi models (EK1), with an optional 4-speed automatic in both the CXi and GLi or CVT in the VTi. The high output (118kw) B16A2 VTEC engine was introduced later and available in the ek4 hatch, known as the VTi-R. In the year 2000 the VtiR body was no longer available as a ek4 hatch and instead sold as the em1 coupe.

Indy Special Also available in Australia was a special edition yellow version of the ek1 civic called the Indy Special. The name was inspired by Indy car racing.[21]

From 1996 to 2000, Honda produced the Civic SiRII which came with a B16A engine, but it was only available in Asian market. This engine produced (160 hp (120 kW) at 7,800 rpm with a displacement of 1,595 cc.

The sixth generation Civic was initially launched in 1996 with two trim packages: the LXi with a non-VTEC 1.5L SOHC D15Z4 engine, and the VTi with a 1.6L SOHC D16Y5 VTEC-E engine. Both came with regular front disk brakes and rear drum brakes. Transmission choices were a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic, available in both trims. During the 1999 facelift, an SiR version was introduced. It had a B16a2 1.6L DOHC VTEC engine and was initially available in nighthawk black, tafetta white and passion orange variants. Formula red and sunburst yellow color variants followed aftwerwards with silver accents on the center console. Other notable differences were a mesh grill (similar with the EK9), three-spoke red stitched steering wheel, 15 inch Enkei rims (similar to the USDM Si & JDM Vi-RS), leather stitched shift knob (similar with the JDM SiR), front upper strut bar, Kenwood CD player, bigger front and rear disc brakes, unique interior fabric colors and an optional front chin and spoiler. The only transmission choice was a 5-speed manual.

Honda Civic Ferio Vi (EK3, Japan)

There was also the Civic Type R, sold only in the Japanese domestic market, and only available as a hatchback and a 5-speed manual with LSD as the only available transmission. This model was equipped with the B16B (185 PS (136 kW; 182 hp) at 8,200 rpm) (AKA PCT), which is essentially a destroked, but powerful, version of the B18C engine from the Integra Type R. The chassis was given the designation EK9. The EK9 was very special as it was essentially based on the JDM EK4 SiR but taken out of the production line and given additional reinforcement to the chassis and body shell. Weight was also meticulously removed to create a light weight racecar feel. Other additions over the EK4 were bigger brakes,5 stud wheel hub, quicker steering ratio, specially tuned suspension, Recaro seats, MOMO steering wheel, titanium shift knob, front lip spoiler, rear wing, smoked headlights and a hand built engine that embodied the racing spirit of Honda. This engine featured a hand polished cylinder head, lighter flywheel, redesigned cam profiles, high compression pistons and balanced crankshaft. The gearbox was fitted with a helical type limited slip differential.

Considered as the "extra sporty" version of the Honda Civic Ferio, the Honda Civic Ferio Vi-RS 1.5-litre, four-Door sedan was sold in the Japanese domestic market only. It has the 1.5-liter D15B three-stage VTEC, a five-speed manual or a CVT multimatic transmission. The Civic Vi-RS had a three-way switch installed on the right side of steering wheel marked D, S1, or S2. These settings affected which cam was used, the ECU's air-fuel mapping, and gearbox behaviour (on automatics). S2 was the sportiest mode.

In South Africa, the 3-door hatchback was sold under the "Civic Coupe" (pre-facelift) and "Civic" (facelift) nameplates. The 4-door sedan was marketed under the "Ballade" nameplate. In South Africa the 2-door Civic coupe (Si) was not available. Chassis codes also differed to other markets: SO3 (civic hatchback) and SO4 (Civic sedan/Ballade). The Type R was never released into the South African market. No SOHC VTEC motors were available either. South-African model options were Civic 150i (D15Z4), Civic 160i (D16Y9), Civic VTEC (B16A6), Ballade 150i (D15Z4), Ballade 160i (D16Y9), Ballade 180i (B18B4) and Ballade VTEC (B16A6). The VTEC model Civic and Ballade were the highest specification model one could purchase at the time. Although the VTEC models came with a lower displacement, power was greater thanks to the VTEC system. Leather seats, electric power windows and better performance all came with the VTEC models (Civic or Ballade). As Honda in SA were distributed by Mercedes-Benz SA at the time, many models used some Mercedes trim, such as their leather trim and alarm system on the Ballade and Civic VTEC models. An AMG version Ballade was also released featuring a performance exhaust system and AMG body pieces.

2000 Honda Civic Aerodeck 1.5i (Portugal)

Based on the Domani, which in turn was mechanically similar to the fifth generation Civic, this version was marketed in Europe as the MA/MB/MC Civic and Civic Aerodeck. It was built in five-door hatchback and Aerodeck (Estate) models in various trim levels and engine sizes. The Aerodeck name was previously used on the Honda Accord Aerodeck, which was a two-door station wagon, popularly known in Europe as a shooting-brake. 1.4 L (D14A2/A5/A7), 1.5 L (D15Z8/Z6), 1.6 L (D16Y2/Y3, D16W2/W3, D16B2 etc.) and 1.8 litre (B18C4) petrol engines were available. These came with five-door body and fifty-five litre fuel tank, ABS, driver and passenger air bags, power steering and electric door mirrors, amongst other things. The later models came with air conditioning as standard. The 1.8 VTi model was the flagship model (explained in detail below) with the biggest petrol engine to be given to MA MB MC Civics. The Domani-based Civics were also available with the Rover L-Series diesel engine which was a 2-litre, eight-valve, direct-injection turbocharged unit (20T2N, 20T2R); an essential addition in the European market. Later diesel engines came with intercoolers. The chassis codes designated to this model and generation of Civics were chassis codes MA8, MA9, MB1, MB2, MB3, MB4, MB6, MB7, and MB8 for the liftback, while the Aerodeck chassis codes are MB9, MC1, MC2, MC3, and MC9. Compared to the original Domani, the Liftback and Aerodeck featured a new interior, similar to that of the more upmarket Rover 400. Honda had a long-serving partnership with the Rover group, who at the time didn't have enough funds for the tooling to produce an all new car, which allowed Rover to produce its own C-segment competitor based around the design of the Domani shell and using a lot of its underpinnings to produce the Rover 400/45 and later MG ZS. Rover made mostly cosmetic changes (which included front fenders/wings, bonnet, headlights, bumpers, rear lights and tailgate were different on the Rover as well as more upmarket cabin materials and greater use of wood and decals) to have a brand new design in the showrooms, which was very cost effective but divided opinion amongst brand enthusiasts.

1997 Honda Civic ES 1.6 (UK)

As with all Honda models of the age, VTi denoted the inclusion of Honda's VTEC technology. There was a rear VTi badge, and decals of "DOHC VTEC" on the rear doors, as well as front/rear bumper lips and side skirts (in VTI-S models). 1996 saw the introduction of the VTi model and then a limited edition VTI-S. The VTI came in two different flavours - the DOHC 1.6 VTi hatch and sedan (B16A2 engine) and the DOHC 1.8 VTi five-door (with the larger B18C4). The 1.6 VTi car was actually slightly faster in acceleration than the 1.8 due to the different gear ratios. The 1.6 was also a lighter engine in a lighter car, helping to reduce the 0-60 mph (97 km/h) acceleration time by about 0.3 seconds. Front/rear disc brakes were standard on all VTi/VTi-S versions. The five-door versions (VTi/VTi-S) included a Torsen limited slip differential, which meant they were quicker out of corners than the 1.6 (three-door) due to being able to accelerate out of corners more effectively.

The 1.8 VTi Civic came with a host of standard equipment, some of which was not available on the three-door (1.6) equivalents. Standard 1.8 spec includes:

Exterior: Front lip/spoiler, rear boot spoiler with integral brake light, headlight washers, electric sunroof, colour-coded mirrors, colour-coded door handles, colour-coded front rear bumpers, front fog lights and lightweight Speedline 5 spoke alloy wheels.

Interior: Unique half leather sports style seats (full leather optional), front/rear electric windows, electrically operated/heated door mirrors, air conditioning, dashboard instrument light dimmer, front and rear head rests and a leather steering wheel with red stitching.

VTi-S

The MB6 VTi-S five-door was made in a limited run of 500 of each body type, and only sold in the Honda colour 'Pirates Black', with body coloured bumpers. The VTI-S improved on the appearance of the standard Civic VTi five-door with a more pronounced front lip and also a rear lip on the bumpers, and different side skirts. The VTi-S specification also included chrome/aluminium gear-knob(silver/black plastic on later VTiS models), VTI-S floor-mats and tailgate badging. It also came fitted with lightweight 15" Speedline Chrono alloy wheels, with a split spoke design. The later VTi-S models came fitted with the lightweight Speedline "fan" alloy wheels. Other than this, the it is identical to the regular VTi. The instrument dials on later VTi-S models changed slightly, now with italic numbering.

The three-door EK4 VTi-S was produced in 1998 only and 200 were produced in this time, all on 'R' registration plates. Like the MB6 VTi-S, the EK4 VTi-S was based on the standard VTi hatch, with differences being the Starlight Black paint, front and rear bumper lips/skirts, rear mid-spoiler, 15" speedline chrono alloy wheels, the dashboard cluster used white numbering on the speedometer, fuel gauge etc., rather than orange/red as in the regular VTi, however it still retained the red needles. The boot badges spelling out 'Honda' 'Civic' '1.6VTi' and 'VTEC' were all replaced with a single VTi-S badge, and there was an alloy gear knob and VTi-S floor mats. Mechanically and in performance terms it is identical to a regular EK4 VTi. Due to a problem with the registration process, many genuine VTi-S' were not on the log books as a VTi-S, but a VTi, and regular VTi Civics were logged as VTi-S; this problem also affected the special edition EK4 Civic Jordan, of which some were also logged as a VTi-S.

Civic Jordan

To commemorate the Honda (Mugen) Jordan F1 team. A 500 car special limited edition Honda Civic VTi (EK4 3-door model) was created with their own signed Eddie Jordan plaque with the specific number stamped on it in the centre console. This car was sold in 1999–2000. It had the same basic spec as the EK4 VTi, but the extras included: Sunlight Yellow paint work, yellow-and-black leather interior, Jordan decals on the sides and rear of the car as well as stitched into the seats and floor carpets. Like the Renault Clio Williams, the Jordan team had no involvement in the development of the car.

Rover developed these vehicles from the Honda Domani-based European Civic, using their own engines. UK produced with styling and interior specifications were aimed primarily at the UK market. Early automatic 400s used the Honda 1.6 D-series engine carried over from the R8 Rover 200/400, meanwhile Honda used Rover’s competitive L-Series diesel for the European Civic in this generation.