Ciao everyone, here it's Marchettino and today we have fun with the VTEC!
Winding roads, Type-R badge, oh nice this mix reminds me of my latest trip to Japan
where I got to play on mount Hakone with the 4th generation of Honda Civic Type-R.
Today I'm in Italy and we're going backwards because we're passing from the 4th to the 3rd generation, the FN2.
In 2006, Honda surprised the petrolheads by unvealing the 3rd generation of Type-R
and what hit the eye mostly, was the design because from the EP3 to the FN2 the difference was huge, to say the least!
In terms of design, basically it's another car!
It looks like an UFO, it catches the eye immediately, especially this one painted red!
In terms of look, it's not the most appreciated Type-R, maybe also in terms of performance because
Honda didn't meet the expectations of the enthusiasts with the FN2.
At this point of the video you might be thinking I don't like it, at the contrary
purists think the FN2 is not a worthy successor of the EP3 but I'm having fun in these roads,
it's a car that offers many satisfactions because in front we have a N/A 2.0L VTEC engine!
We can say it's the swan song because the 4th generation is turbocharged so this is the last N/A VTEC fitted on a Civic.
Compared to the EP3, the power increase is not that impressive, it peaks 201hp and 196nm of torque
and in pure VTEC style, rev limiter is way above 8000rpm, 8300 to be precise!
Below 5300rpm, the engine doesn't offer much power then once VTEC kicks in,
how awesome to push the gears above 8000rpm!
And this Type-R despite being stock, I like this sound!
So metalic it gets in the ear drums!
This is the first time I'm testing a N/A VTEC and now I understand what it means when people say the VTEC kicks in!
It's a particular engine that requires a different driving style because you always need to keep the engine to the redline to use it properly.
It's something we tend to do less nowadays because most engines are turbocharged and don't need to be pushed to the redline!
Another negative thing of this FN2 is that compared to the EP3 it replaces, it's heavier, a whopping 120kg
and this reflects negatively on the dynamic of the car
even though I have to say, despite being 120kg heavier, lacks the LSD, it's fun!
Just like on the Type-R around mount Hakone, I need to make a big compliment also on this about the manual gearbox
because here we have a 6-speed manual gearbox that is fabulous,
gear shifts are fast, precise, playing on such road with such gearbox and pedals that allow perfect heel-toe, it's a wonderful mix!
When I get close to the redline, I see on the upper display some lights that tell me the moment to shift up before to hit redline.
This is a good thing because I don't like position of the steering
because as I fixed it with my ideal position, I can't see the rev counter!
Between 2000 to 7000 rpm I can't see anything!
The cyclist love VTEC!
Big compliment also for the seats because they're amazing for the sports driving,
they allow to move quite "happy" around the bends without moving from the seat.
I have never driven the EP3, I hope to play with it someday but this FN2 doesn't disappoint me at all!
Sure, you feel the weight in the turn in because it weights about 1440kg but
the steering is precise and communicative enough, increasing the speed I feel it gets more stiff and precise.
Let's say it, this being one of the less beloved Type-R, this reflects on the market price
which is a positive thing to all those love it because it's still quite affordable.
We're talking between 6 to 10.000€ for a decent FN2 with a low mileage.
This one I'm driving is fitted with I-Pilot package, the full option version in fact we have parking sensors, satnav, xeno headlights, dual climate,
with less than 10.000€ you get a fun car with many options!
In this VTEC chaos, the FN2 goes to 100kph in 6,6s,
it's slower than the EP3 because it performed in 6.4s and then 6,2s with the facelift; top speed has unchanged at 230kph.
Due to the law emissions, I get no steps forward have been done on the engine, compared to the EP3.
On the other side, it's great from Honda to keep a N/A engine at the contrary of its rivals like the Golf GTI and Cooper S.
What I don't get, is the step backward on the suspensions because from the EP3 to the FN2 we swap from the
rear independent suspensions, to a simpler torsion beam.
To all those who want to enter the JDM world and bring a legendary VTEC home, I think this is an interesting car to own.
Nowadays, with this money you don't bring home many cars with 200hp, a particular engine and a good driving dynamic.
After having driven this car, I've been left amazed by the N/A VTEC!
It's the second Type-R I'm driving and I like also this one!
I like Honda's philosophy to build sports cars becausa they're a great joy to drive!
After this test, I'd be curious go past 9000rpm with an S2000, what do you think?
This FN2 is approved to me, I like it especially with the current prices because it has a great price-features-performance ratio.
To all those want to join the JDM world and get a N/A VTEC, this is a good purchase.
I thank Fabio, the owner of this Type-R for letting me push it above 8000rpm
and make sure to Like the video if you enjoy it, subscribe to my YouTube if you haven't yet and as always thanks for watching, ciao!