Honda Civic GTi
Encyclopedia
The Honda Civic GTi is a cult performance hatchback
made for the New Zealand
market between 1989 to 1995, not to be confused with the UK market Civic GTi which was a low spec Civic model available in Europe in the mid to late 1980s.
Released in 1989 to the New Zealand Market the Civic GTi was designed to test the popularity of a sports model of the Honda Civic
platform. The release of the GTi coincided with the release in Japan of the Honda Integra XSi/RSi sports coupe which introduced the world to hondas new VTEC
technology with its B16A engine. For the GTi, Honda released a special edition of the single cam D16A7 engine, with power output enhanced to 150ps, a similar figure to the B16A but without the use of VTEC. All this was enough to propel the small Civic over a standing quarter mile in 15.3 seconds.
The GTi was available in hatchback form only using the same EF
chassis as other civics but with a full leather interior. The GTi was revised in 1992 for the EG hatch chassis, the new model featured the less powerful D16A9 dual cam engine from the Civic Si but still retained full leather interior trim. However in 1994 due to popular demand Honda again released the specially modified D16A7 engine in the Civic GTi.
Sport compact
A sport compact is a high-performance version of a compact car or a subcompact car. They are typically are front engined, front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive coupés, sedans, or hatchbacks driven by a straight-4 gasoline engine. Performance-oriented sport compacts generally focus on improving...
made for the New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
market between 1989 to 1995, not to be confused with the UK market Civic GTi which was a low spec Civic model available in Europe in the mid to late 1980s.
Released in 1989 to the New Zealand Market the Civic GTi was designed to test the popularity of a sports model of the Honda Civic
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is a line of subcompact and subsequently compact cars made and manufactured by Honda. The Civic, along with the Accord and Prelude, comprised Honda's vehicles sold in North America until the 1990s, when the model lineup was expanded...
platform. The release of the GTi coincided with the release in Japan of the Honda Integra XSi/RSi sports coupe which introduced the world to hondas new VTEC
VTEC
VTEC is a valvetrain system developed by Honda to improve the volumetric efficiency of a four-stroke internal combustion engine. The VTEC system uses two camshaft profiles and electronically selects between the profiles. It was invented by Honda R&D engineer Ikuo Kajitani, and was the first system...
technology with its B16A engine. For the GTi, Honda released a special edition of the single cam D16A7 engine, with power output enhanced to 150ps, a similar figure to the B16A but without the use of VTEC. All this was enough to propel the small Civic over a standing quarter mile in 15.3 seconds.
The GTi was available in hatchback form only using the same EF
Honda Civic (fourth generation)
For 1988, the Honda Civic was significantly redesigned. The suspension had a radical re-configuration with what Honda called "double-wishbone suspension" on all four corners, wheelbase was increased to 98.4 inches , and the body was redesigned with a lower hood line and more glass, giving...
chassis as other civics but with a full leather interior. The GTi was revised in 1992 for the EG hatch chassis, the new model featured the less powerful D16A9 dual cam engine from the Civic Si but still retained full leather interior trim. However in 1994 due to popular demand Honda again released the specially modified D16A7 engine in the Civic GTi.