It was introduced in July 1972 as a two-door model,followed by a three-door hatchback that September. With the transverse engine mounting of its 1169 cc engine and front-wheel drive like the British Mini, the car provided good interior space despite overall small dimensions.[2] Early models of the Civic typically included a basic AM radio, heater, foam-cushioned plastic trim, two-speed wipers, and painted steel rims with a chromed wheel nut cap. As the years went by, it has become much more upscale with options such as air conditioning, power locks, power windows, leather upholstery, satellite-linked navigation, and a six-speed manual transmission. Initially gaining a reputation for being fuel-efficient, reliable, and environmentally friendly, later iterations have become known for performance and sportiness, especially the Civic Type-R, Civic GTi and Civic SiR.
The Civic has been rebadged for international markets with such models as the Honda Ballade and Honda Domani/Acura EL. The Civic platform also served as the basis for the CR-X sport compact, the CR-X del Sol targa convertible, and the CR-V compact SUV.
As of 2006, a total of 16.5 million Civics had been sold worldwide, with 7.3 million of them in the United States.[5] By 2010, Civic has been the top-selling car in Canada for thirteen years. With high gas prices and a weak economy in June 2008, the Civic supplanted the Ford F-Series to become the top-selling vehicle in the United States for that month.
In Japan, production of non-hybrid Civic for domestic market ended in August 2010, production of Civic hybrid for home market ended in December 2010. In recent years, customers shifted to minivans and compact cars like Honda Fit. Honda launched Fit hybrid in October in Japan. However, production of Civic and Civic hybrid for export markets will continue.
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First generation (1973–1979)
Main article: Honda Civic (first generation)
The first generation Honda Civic was introduced in 1972, but sold as a 1973 model. Equipped with a 1,169 cc (71.3 cu in) four-cylinder
engine, the first generation Civic was designed to compete with
American compact vehicles and offered features such as front power disc brakes and reclining vinyl bucket seats and AM radio. The Civic was available as a coupe, both a three- and a five-door hatchback, as well as a five-door station wagon. Due to the 1973 oil crisis, consumer demand for fuel efficient vehicles was high.The CVCC engine debuted in 1975. Offered alongside the standard Civic engine, the 53 hp (40 kW; 54 PS) CVCC engine displaced 1,488 cc (90.8 cu in) and had a head design that allowed for more efficient combustion. The CVCC did not require a catalytic converter or unleaded fuel to meet emissions standards. Only the CVCC engine was available in California due to stricter emissions standards.
- EB1- 1169cc, black interior, honeycomb grill
- EB2- 1240cc, same body as the EB1, several choices for interior color
- EB3- 1240cc, revised hood, head rest on front seats, revised bumpers with plastic end caps, horizontal running grille, revised tail lights.
Hondas were so vulnerable to corrosion that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also issued a safety recall because lateral suspension arms, front crossbeam, and strut coil spring lower supports could weaken with exposure to salt. A total of 936,774 vehicles built between January 9, 1972 and January 8, 1979 were subject to extensive repairs since Honda had to replace the suspension components, or the automaker bought back entire cars with serious body corrosion. By 1981 about 10% of Hondas were to be inspected by a dealer and the automaker had 180 days to replace front fenders and supporting parts that showed rust within the first three years of use.At the time, Honda's rust recall was the largest safety action among all the brands imported into the U.S.
Second generation (1980-1983)
Main article: Honda Civic (second generation)
The second generation Honda Civic was introduced in 1980. It was
larger, had a more angular shape, and came with increased engine power.
All Civic engines now used the CVCC design, which added a 3rd valve per
cylinder; this introduced lean burn swirl technology. The base 1335 cc
("1300") engine made 55 hp (41 kW), with an optional 1488 cc ("1500")
engine giving 67 hp (50 kW). Three transmissions were offered: a
four-speed manual (on base models), a five-speed manual, and a two-speed semi-automatic that was unique to the industry.Third generation (1984–1987)
Main article: Honda Civic (third generation)
The third generation was released in 1984. The separate five-door
hatchback and wagon models were merged into a four-door "shuttle wagon"
or "wagovan" sometimes referred to colloquially as a "breadbox" due to
its appearance. An additional two-seat coupe style—labeled CRX—was
introduced, noted for its compact dimensions and light weight. The
third generation Civic saw the introduction of the long running
four-cylinder D series engine including a new 1.5 L (91.5 cu in) CVCC engine. 1984 also saw the release of a high-performance Si model for the Japanese market, featuring upgraded suspension and the 1.6 L (97.6 cu in) DOHC ZC engine
which was rated at 130 PS. Si models were offered in the US as a 3-door
Civic Si hatchback and the CRX Si variant with a 91 horsepower (68 kW) fuel injected SOHC 12-valve engine. A 4WD
engine with different transmission mounts was introduced for the first
time in 1984, and later upgraded in 1987. It delivered a fuel economy
commensurate with today's AWD SUVs of around 28mpg highway. The AWD
system was push-button operated and called "realtime" because it could
be engaged and disengaged while driving. The manual transmission
featured a synchronized 6th gear, called "SL", which was used for very
low speeds.Fourth generation (1988–1991) - EC, ED, EE, EF
Main article: Honda Civic (fourth generation)
For 1988 the Civic was redesigned with increased dimensions and a
lower hood line. A wide range of models and trim levels were offered for
various markets around the world. The most notable of which include The
Japanese market SiR, the European VTi (both featuring the new B16A DOHC VTEC engine), the UK/European 1.6i-16 (DOHC D16A9 engine) and the New Zealand market GTi (featuring full leather interior and a tuned version of the successful SOHC D16A7 engine). All U.S. models featured electronic fuel injection,
but carbureted models were still available elsewhere. The fourth
generation saw the introduction of a fully independent rear suspension
across the entire model range.[17][not in citation given]In addition, the Honda CRX continued to be part of the Civic family which included the HF, DX, and Si model in the U.S.A.Fifth generation (1992–1995) - EG, EH, EJ1, EJ2
Main article: Honda Civic (fifth generation)
Introduced in 1992, the redesigned Civic featured increased
dimensions, as well as more aerodynamic styling. The wagon variant was
now only available in the Japanese market where the previous generation
wagon was carried over until 1995. The efficiency of the previous HF
model was replaced by the VX hatchback which, with an EPA rating of
48/55 MPG, was Honda's most fuel efficient model sold at the time. In North America the Si featured a SOHC VTEC valve train, where as the VX featured the VTEC-E. The Japanese Si featured a DOHC non-VTEC valve train D16A9. In New Zealand the powerful Civic GTi
was revised. Continuing in the sporty tradition of the original Civic
SiR, Honda sold several similarly equipped variants of the fifth
generation car, still referred to as the Civic SiR, in Japan, Asia, and
Europe.Sixth generation (1996–2000) - EK9, EK4, EK5, EK3, EJ6, EJ7,EJ8, EJ9, EM1
Main article: Honda Civic (sixth generation)
The sixth generation featured updated styling although less radical
than previous redesigns. Suspension and engine options were their first
Natural Gas Powered Civic, the GX. In 1996-2000 they made the EX, DX,
LX, HX, CX, Si; all base models were made with 1.6L engines. The EX-CX
are all SOHC (D16) and the popular Si is a DOHC (B16A2) The first civic
SI coupe EM1 was introduced in 1999.It exists also civic only for European market : the MA-MB-MC, based on the Honda Domani and produced from 1995 to 2001. Engines are 1.4, 1.5, 1.6 and 1.8L, from 90 hp to 170 hp, and also a diesel engine existing with 86 or 105 hp. See this French site for versions -> http://mbsquad.xooit.com/
Seventh generation (2001–2005) - EM2, ES1, EP3, EU1
Main article: Honda Civic (seventh generation)
The seventh generation was released in 2001. While the redesign
retained the previous generation's exterior dimensions, interior space
was improved in part by using a flat rear floor thus bumping up Civic to
a compact car size segment. The front suspension was changed from that of a double wishbone to a MacPherson strut, in order to lower costs, as well as allow more engine bay room for the newly introduced Honda K-series engine. Power was also increased on some trim levels.In North America, coupe and sedan body styles were available, except for the Si (SiR in Canada) which was offered only as a three-door hatchback. The rest of the world received three and five-door hatchbacks. The Type-R was redesigned as well this time using a more powerful i-VTEC motor and using the three-door hatchback body style. This generation saw Honda introduce their first Civic Hybrid, powered by a 1.3 litre engine.
Eighth generation (2006-2011) - FD2, FA1, FG1, FG2, FA5, FK, FN
Main article: Honda Civic (eighth generation)
For the 2006 generation Honda split the model into two different
platforms, one primarily for the home market and North America and the
other designed for the European market using a simpler rear suspension
from the Honda Fit
and more aggressive styling. Although the North American and the home
market model differ externally, they are mechanically identical. The
European model is available as a three and five-door hatchback while the
Japanese/North American model is available as either sedan or coupe.
Both Si and Type-R trim levels continue although the Japanese and
European Type-R while sharing the same size engine are mechanically
different. In the US an improved version of the Si tuned by Honda tuner Mugen
is offered featuring cosmetic alterations and changes to the suspension
and exhaust system. The Acura version of the Civic not only received
the design change, but also saw a new nameplate, changing from the Acura EL to the Acura CSX.Fuel Economy (City/Hwy): 8.2/5.7 L/100KM Automatic, 7.4/5.4 L/100KM Manual & 10.2/6.8 L/100KM Si
As of 2006, a total of 16.5 million Civics had been sold worldwide, with 7.3 million of them in the United States.
In Europe this Civic has a 3 or 5 door hatch featuring a 1.4 VTEC, 1.8 VTEC also a 4 door hybrid saloon with a 1.4 petrol engine(5.5–9 km/litre in city, 11.2–13.7 km/litre on highway), or 2.0l (Type-R) engines (5.5–8.1 km/litre in city, 8–10 km/litre on highway), as well as a powerful and economical 2.2 N22A i-CTDi diesel (140BHP) which does 0–60 mph in 8.6 seconds and fuel economy is 38.3 MPG 10–12 km/litre in city and 11–14 km/litre on the highway. There is also a saloon version for the Hybrid, which has a 1.4 IMA engine giving 61MPG with 0–60 in 12.41 seconds.
The Irish market has 5 different models. A 4 door saloon built in Japan which come with a 1.8 svetec 140 bhp engine delivering 6.4(l/100 km) Combined,5.4(l/100 km) Extra Urban and 8.2(l/100 km) Urban with a Maximum speed - 210 km/h and a 0 - 100 kph comes in at 8.6 seconds. Ireland also has the above mentioned 2.2 ltr diesel Civic, the 1.8 petrol Civic, the 1.4 petrol Civic and lastly the Hybrid Civic also.
2009 facelift
For 2009, the Civic received a minor face lift, including a slight redesign to the front and rear. The exterior changes include a new honeycomb-designed grill in the front, as well as revised wheels, with many more spokes than the original five-spoke rims, and a bar of chrome trim above the license plate area for the sedan. The chrome strip where the Honda front logo is was also refined with sharper edges on both ends. The design for the area of the grill where the fog lights are placed was also slightly revised to include differing designs for Civic models with fog lights and those without. The rear turn signals were changed from red to amber. The interior changes included bluetooth compatibility and an optional leather wrapped steering wheel in the LX model. A sportier LX model was also added, called LX-S. This trim level adds a rear spoiler, chrome exhaust tip, and black sports seats. The car retains many of its design cues and technical specifications from the pre-2009 model, including its 1.8 liter inline-4 engine and two-tier dashboard with a digital speedometer.Ninth generation (2012-)
Main article: Honda Civic (ninth generation)
North American market
Honda's Eco Assist technology will be added to most models, and will become the first gasoline-only powered Honda to employ such technology in North America. It is an information system to help the driver adopt a more fuel-efficient driving style, and is proven to improve fuel economy by about 10% for Honda's hybrid vehicle in Japan.
All models now come standard with ABS (Anti-Lock Brake Systems), VSA (Vehicle Stability Assistance) and EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution). Further improvements include a new multilink rear suspension to further reduce road feel on particularly battered roads and highways.
European market
The European market Civic will not be like the Civic sold in North America and Japan. It is a hatchback and not a saloon/sedan sold outside Europe. The car will have the same dimensions as the previous European Civic (4.3 metres long)and will have 2.2 litre diesel engine and a hybrid petrol engines. The car will also come with a Type R version according to Spanish car magazine Autofacíl. It is based on the previous European Civic platform. It will be released in 2012 with a price of about €19,000 (£16,967). There is also expected a hybrid version of the Civic hatchback.Japanese Market
The Honda Civic Japanese model was a newer model, that was designed on April 2011 to sell it to all Japanese markets. The Honda Civic is delayed in Japan due to the earthquake and tsunami. The JDM model will be available in 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback.
International marketing and platform derivatives
Other models have been built off the Civic platform, including CR-X, Quint, Concerto, Domani, CR-X Del Sol, Integra, and CR-V.
Also, at various times, the Civic or Civic-derived models have been sold by marques other than Honda – for example, Rover sold the 200, 400 and 45, each of which were Civic-based at some point (first 200s were the second generation Ballade; from 1990 the 200 and 400 were based on the Concerto; the 400 was the 1995 Domani), as was their predecessor, the Triumph Acclaim, based on the first Honda Ballade. The Honda Domani, an upscale model based on the Civic, was sold as the Isuzu Gemini in Japan (1992–2000), and confusingly the 5-door Domani was sold as the Honda Civic (along with the "real" hatchback and sedan Civics) in Europe from 1995 to 2000. In Thailand, the sixth generation Civic was available as the four-door Isuzu Vertex. The sixth-generation station wagon was sold as the Honda Orthia, with the Partner as the downmarket commercial variant. The seventh generation minivan model is called the Honda Stream. In Canada, the sixth and seventh generation Civics were mildly redesigned to create the Acura EL until the advent of the eight generation Civic, which was used to create the Acura CSX, which was designed in Canada. Honda Japan adopted the CSX styling for the Civic in its home country.
In North America, the Civic hatchback was dropped for 2006. The 2006 model year standard Civics for North America are manufactured in Alliston, Ontario, Canada (sedans, coupes and Si Coupes) and East Liberty, Ohio (sedans), while the Hybrid version is manufactured in Japan.
In Brazil, although being considered for local manufacturing since the early 1980s (it was illegal to import cars in Brazil from 1973 until 1990), the Civic wasn't available until 1992, via official importing. In 1997, production of the sixth generation Civic sedan started in the Sumaré (a city near Campinas, in the state of São Paulo) factory. The only differences between the Japanese model and the Brazilian model were a slightly higher ground clearance, due to the country's road conditions and adaptations to make the engine suitable to Brazilian commercial gasoline, which contains about 25% ethanol (E25). The seventh generation production started in 2001, displacing the Chevrolet Vectra from the top sales record for the mid-size sedan segment, however it lost that position to the Toyota Corolla the following year. In 2006, the eighth generation was released and regained the sales leadership. Identical to the North American version, it lacks options such a moonroof, and standard security equipment like VSA and side and curtain airbags were removed due to lack of car safety laws in the Mercosur. Furthermore, the Brazilian subsidiary began producing flex-fuel versions for the Civic and the Fit models, capable of running on any blend of gasoline (E20 to E25 blend in Brazil) and ethanol up to E100.
Safety
USA
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the USA has determined frontal crash test ratings of Honda Civics of different model years.| Model year | Make | Model | Type | Curb weight (lb) | Frontal driver rating | Frontal passenger rating | Side Driver passenger rating | Side Rear passenger rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Honda | Civic | 2-DR | 2,166 |  |
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| 1980 | Honda | Civic | 2-DR HBK | 2,298 | |
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| 1981 | Honda | Civic | 2-DR HBK | 2,160 |  |
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| 1981 | Honda | Civic | 4-DR HBK | 2,456 |  |
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| 1984–1987 | Honda | Civic | 2-DR | 2,311 | |
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| 1984–1987 | Honda | Civic | 4-DR Wagon | 2,510 | |
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| 1988-1989? | Honda | Civic | 2-DR | 2,542 | |
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| 1990?-1991 | Honda | Civic | 4-DR | 2,252 | |
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| 1992–1993 | Honda | Civic | 2/4-DR | 2,348 | |
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| 1994–1995 | Honda | Civic | 2-DR | 2,498? | |
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| 1994–1995 | Honda | Civic | 4-DR | 2,317 | |
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| 1996–1997 | Honda | Civic | 2-DR | 2,337 | |
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| 1996–1997 | Honda | Civic | 4-DR | 2,313 | |
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| 1998–2000 | Honda | Civic | 2-DR | 2,313 | |
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| 1998–2000 | Honda | Civic | 4-DR | 2,379 | |
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| 2001–2005 | Honda | Civic | 4-DR w/+w/o SAB | 2,522 | |
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| 2001–2005 | Honda | Civic | 2-DR w/o SAB | 2,502 | |
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| 2001–2005 | Honda | Civic | 2-DR w/SAB | 2,502 | |
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| 2002–2005 | Honda | Civic | 2-DR HBK w/o SAB | 2,502 | |
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| 2006–2011 | Honda | Civic | 2-DR w/SAB | 2,640 | |
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| 2006–2011 | Honda | Civic | 4-DR w/SAB | 2,749 | |
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Crash Test Ratings
Frontal Impact:
Side Impact Front Seat:
Side Impact Rear Seat:
Rollover:
In Australia, 1984–2005 Civics were assessed in the Used Car Safety Ratings 2006 on their level of occupant protection regardless of size or era.
- (1984–1987) - "significantly worse than average"
- (1988–1991) - "average"
- (1992–1995) - "average"
- (1996–2000) - "better than average"
- (2001–2005) - "average"
Honda said that the airbag inflators in some of its top-selling sedans can rupture because of too much air pressure causing metal fragments to shoot through the airbag and strike vehicle occupants.
One fatality and a number of injuries have been linked to the defect, Honda spokesman Sage Marie said.
The recall covers certain 2001 and 2002 Accords, 2001 Civics and some 2002 and 2003 model Acura TL sedans. The inflator for the driver's side airbag is the defective component on the affected vehicles.
Honda said owners of those models can check to see if their vehicle is covered by the recall by checking the automaker's website at www.owners.honda.com/recalls.
The Japanese automaker said it was encouraging owners to wait until they received a recall notice to go to a dealership and have the inflator for the steering-wheel airbag replaced.
Honda had originally announced that it would recall some 2001 Accord and Civic sedans for the defect in November 2009. Since that time, Service Bulletin 08-093 has been expanded to cover several VINs in the 2001-2002 Accord coupe and sedan, the 01-02 Civic coupe and sedan, one 2003 Civic, the 02-03 CRV, the 2002 Odyssey, and one 2003 Pilot.
Modifications and the enthusiast community
Most recent seventh and eighth generations, now rated as compacts rather than subcompacts, are still competitive as tuner projects. However, they have succumbed to added weight, and higher centers of gravity which has significantly reduced their appeal amongst passionate drivers. Particularly unwelcome among the tuner community was the replacement of the front double-wishbone suspension with MacPherson struts, which provide inferior handling and do not allow dynamic camber angle control.
There are several enthusiast forums that Civic enthusiasts frequent for the latest styles, trends, and, fads. With Honda-Tech being the largest overall community, there is also other regional forums and several other niche's for all generations of the Honda Civic[citation needed]
Awards
From 1972 to 1974, the Civic was awarded "Car of the Year Japan." In 1973, the Civic ranked third in the European Car of the Year awards, the highest ranking for a Japanese vehicle at that time. It also took the top prize among imported vehicles in the U.S. Road Test magazine's "1974 Car of the Year."[38] The Civic was Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year for 1980[39] as well as its 2006 Car of the Year. In 2006, the Civic earned the 2007 "Semperit Irish Car of the Year" title. In 1996, Automobile Magazine honored the Civic as its Automobile of the Year. The Civic has been on Car and Driver magazine's yearly Ten Best list six times, in 1985, 1988–91, and 1996. The Civic GX, a natural gas version of the vehicle was named Greenest Car of 2005 by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. Honda claimed 5 of the top 10 Greenest car slots, 3 of which were models of the Civic.[40] The Civic Si was named "Best New Sport Car" and the sedan was named "Best New Economy Car" in the 2006 Canadian Car of the Year awards. The Civic also won the North American Car of the Year and the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) Car of the Year awards for 2006. In November 2006, the Civic received the prestigious "Car of The Year" award from Brazilian magazine Auto Esporte. The four-door Civic VXi sedan won the South African Car of the Year award for 2007.Racing
Touring car racing
Civics have been used for racing ever since their introduction. In 1973, a Civic was entered, alongside cars of much larger engine sizes, in the Australian Bathurst 1000 endurance race.In recent years the Civic has been used in a wide variety of racing series, particularly in Japan. It is also used in touring car races in Europe and the United States. The Civic has been used in the UK in endurance series by teams such as Barwell Motorsport and Cartek Motorsport.
In 2002 JAS Motorsport entered the European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) with a Super 2000 spec Civic and was used until restart season of the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) in 2005.
In December 2005, on the date of the new 2006 Civic Si's launch in the USA, Honda's R&D Engineering Team completed 645 laps in an 8th generation Civic Si coupe (FG2) to place first in the E1 class of the famous '25 Hours of Thunderhill' marathon race. The drivers on Honda's team were Road & Track journalist Kim Wolfkill, Lee Niffenegger, Chad Gilsinger, Sage Marie, John Sherk, Rich Hays, Andrew Frame, Matt Staal and Car and Driver journalist Tony Swan.[41]
BTCC
Further information: Arena Motorsport and Team Dynamics
The 2003 season saw the 'works' team Civics secure an impressive 2nd in the manufacturers championship. The 2003 BTCC Production Teams Championship also went to the Civic again, this time in the hands of Barwell Motorsport.
Such was the competitiveness of the Civic in its first two season, 2004 saw five teams enter Civics, allowing the model to secure 2nd in the manufacturers championship.
Athough manufacturer support, from Honda, for the BTCC ended in 2005, several teams still found success running the Civic in 2005 and 2006.
In 2010 Honda returned to the BTCC as a 'works' team with Team Dynamics using Civics to win the 2010 manufactuers championship.
In 2011 the team returns with its Civic to defend its Team and Manufactuers championship agin with the Neil and Shedden pairing.
Honda Racing Team will swap to the brand new ninth generation Honda Civic, built fully to NGTC rules, for the 2012 BTCC season. They are the first manufacturer backed team to announce their intention to run fully to the NGTC specification.
Drag and street racing
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