Tired of the same old VTEC builds? Well, we’ve got something new and very exciting to show you, the Civic EK9 widebody that’s just been rendered by Avante Design. It’s not just CGI work either, as a company is about to 3D print these full-fat fenders and start selling them.
Old Civics have their special corner in custom car culture. Some people like lowered suspension and fancy wheels, the so-called “ricer” look. But there are also many shops that fabricate insane turbocharged engines for what are essentially FWD dragsters.
As a sample, check out this drag race between two unique hatchbacks. One is a 1994 Civic EG which had been converted to RWD by Throtl and the other 1999 Civic EK with a supercharger.
Those letters at the end are indicative of the generation and model. Honda has been making the Civic since 1972, and the sexy EK9 2-door you see here is the sixth generation, available in America from 1996 to the 2000 model year.
At its core, this is an economy car, cheap transportation with frugal 4-cylinder engines. So why is it famous? VTEC, obviously. A base 1996 Civic made only 105 horsepower from a simple SOHC 1.6-liter. However, the US-spec Civic Si (and the SiR from Canada) boasted a special 1.6L: 16 valves, DOHC VTEC and 160 horsepower.
The EK9 was the first Type R
This sixth-generation Civic really put Honda on the map with its VTEC performance. The EK was the first to ever wear the Type R badge, and like the equally famous Integra Type R sibling, it was a serious piece of kit.
It had no sound deadening to save weight, resulting in a raw experience. As light as a Miata, this hatchback could reach 60 mph (97 kph) in only 6.7 seconds and shot down the quarter-mile in 15.3 seconds. Responsible for this performance was a hand-ported B16B engine, a tiny 1.6-liter producing about 182 horsepower while screaming at 8,200rpm.
Civic EK9 widebody by Avante Design
Like I said, the EK9 Civic is from the 1990s and was designed as an affordable, economical car. And while it does have some distinguishing features, it’s basically pretty boring.
This Avante-designed widebody changes that with the enthusiasm of a WRC rally car. The front end receives a brand new bumper with aero as intricate as a race car’s. Meanwhile, the hood has been vented, and the front fenders flair out to accommodate big tires.
It will be interesting to see how the rear of the kit is fabricated since it’s got a molded design, not a bolt-on like a Rocket Bunny. The rear sports a new trunk lid spoiler and a large diffuser inside the revised bumper. Basically, only the door and doors have been left unchanged. It’s an indie kind of project, but we’re hoping the 3D printer Mozy can deliver.
