The 4th generation Honda
Civic was introduced in Europe at the IAA in Frankfurt
Germany in September 1987. It was a very technical
advanced car for its time, 4 valves per cylinder, double
wishbone suspension front and rear and VTEC for the top
model hatchback. It was available as 3 door hatchback, 4
door sedan, wagon (shuttle) and 3 door coupe (CRX).
Rover build their 200 and 400 series on the Civic base.
A wide variety of engines was available for the 4th
generation Civic. From a 1.2L SOHC to the 1.6L DOHC VTEC.
Base model of the 4th
generation Civic was a 1.2L SOHC, this single carbureted
engine was not available for the European and American
market. For Europe the base model was the 1.3Luxe
(23L/23U for the Japanese market) 1.3L SOHC single
carbureted engine.
Next engine was the 1.4L which was not available in the
USA and Japan. It was a 1.4L SOHC dual carbureted engine
that was available only in 1988 and 1989. (replaced by
the 1.5i GL and GLX in 1990).
The 1.5L SOHC engine came in a wide variety, dual-point
injection, single carbureted and dual carbureted. Those
engines were available in the JDM 25X/25XT, USDM DX and
the USDM STD model (USDM base model), EDM 1.5i GL and
GLX (only difference between EDM GL and GLX is a
different standard equipment and a different FDR).
Next in line was the 1.6L SOHC. Simply 1.6i for the
European market and Si for the American market (US top
model). (not to be confused with the JDM Si which is a
1.6L DOHC)
Second highest model was the JDM Si. It was equipped
with a 1.6L DOHC (ZC) engine and delivered 130hp. The
EDM 1.6i GT and 1.6i-16 (depends on country) had a ZC
like 1.6L DOHC engine and had a stock 124hp (D16Z5) or
130hp (D16A9). All DOHC engines are equipped with
Honda's multipoint fuel injection system (although there
seems to have been a 1.6L DOHC non-VTEC with dual
carburetors for the 4th gen.).
Top model of the hatchback was the Japanese SiR with the
160hp B16A engine. In Europe the SiR was called 1.6i-VT
and had a similar B16A1 engine. These top models of the
4th generation Civic were one of the first Honda's that
were equipped with the famous VTEC system (the NSX was
the first, the JDM 90/91 Integra XSi/RSi also had a
B16A). See the VTEC section for more info on the SiR and
1.6i-VT.
In 1990 the 4th gen Civic
had a light "facelift". Some things that changed was the
front bumper design, the front corner lights no longer
had the two screws on the outside, the gauge cluster
cover shape slightly changed, tail light units design
changed and USDM Civics' got door mounted seatbelts
(88-89 frame mounted).
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Abbreviations: |
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| JDM |
Japanese
Domestic market |
| EDM |
European
Domestic market |
| USDM |
United States
Domestic market |
| Si |
Sports injected |
| SiR |
Sports injected
racing |
| DX |
Deluxe |
| SOHC |
Single overhead
cam |
| DOHC |
Double overhead
cam |
| VTEC |
Variable Valve
Timing and Lift Electronic
Control System |
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Civic history: |
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| 1st generation: |
July 1972 - July 1979 |
| 2nd generation |
July 1979 - September 1983 |
| 3rd generation |
September 1983 - September 1987 |
| 4th generation |
September 1987 - September 1991 |
| 5th generation |
September 1991 - September 1995 |
| 6th generation |
September 1995 - September 2000 |
| 7th generation |
September 2000 - September 2005 |
| 8th generation |
September 2005 - ... |
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For engine codes, chassis codes and specifications
see the SPECS section.
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DOHC VTEC for the
SiR and VT |
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Double Wishbone
suspension |
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Rear disk brakes for
the top models |
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Honda's dual and multi-
point programmed fuel injection |
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| Optional real time 4WD for the sedan and wagon |
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