Performance Review: Honda Civic 1.8 VTi-S - [1997]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Honda Civic Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Honda Civic 1.8 VTi-S is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1997. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1997 McLaren F1 GT 6.1 V12.This particular Honda Civic has a 1797cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Civic shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Civic's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1270 kgs (2799 lbs) this makes the Honda Civic 1.8 VTi-S in the same weight category as the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Honda Civic shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 1797cc 16V St4 engine produces 169 bhp (126 kW) @ 7600 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 129 lb-ft (174.9 Nm) @ 6300 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (148 lb-ft) or the 2013 Caterham 7 485 2.0L (152 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Honda Civic you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (158.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Honda Civic.

The Honda Civic has a Power to weight ratio of 133.0 bhp per ton and 101.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1997 Civic competing with the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (158.0 bhp per ton) or the 1968 Ferrari 206 Dino GT (157.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Honda Civic generating around 101.5 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1991 Audi 80 2.8 E V6 Quattro (126.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1968 Vauxhall-Opel Viva GT 2.0L (126.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.3 secs, this made the Honda Civic 1.8 VTi-S as fast as the 2011 Citroen DS5 1.6 THP 200 (8.00 secs) the 2009 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (8.00 secs) the 2008 Alfa-Romeo Mito 1.4 155 T-Jet Veloce (8.00 secs) the or the 2007 Fiat Bravo 1.9 Sport Multijet (8.00 secs). This Honda Civic 1.8 VTi-S is also faster than the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 2.0 Blue HDI 180 (8.10 secs) the 2008 Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet 155 Abarth (8.10 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 (8.10 secs) the and the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.0 Turbo SRI (8.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Civic and the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup

When talking about the performance of the Honda Civic on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.75 secs @ 86.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (15.68 secs), the 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray 454 7.4 V8 (15.69 secs), and the 2003 Chrysler 300 c 5.7 Hemi (15.70 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1997 version of the Honda Civic 1.8 VTi-S has a maximum speed of 139mph.

Top Speed of the 1997 Civic equals the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (150 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1997 Honda Civic 1.8 VTi-S then how about the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (150 mph), the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 Roadster 3.5 V6 (150 mph), or the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (150 mph).

Related Links:

1997 Civic Rivals List.

A Brief History of Honda

Car Comparison