That is it, the brand new Honda Civic Si. Based mostly on the Eleventh-generation Civic that made its debut earlier in April, the sports activities sedan will attain dealerships in the US later this yr and guarantees to be “the best-handling, best-equipped and most fun-to-drive Civic Si ever.” In contrast to the earlier Civic Si, the brand new one is simply supplied in a sedan body style, so don’t count on a coupe version like in the past.
Beginning underneath the bonnet, the most recent Civic Si continues to make use of a 1.5 litre VTEC Turbo four-cylinder engine as earlier than, though it now makes 200 hp at 6,000 rpm as a substitute of 205 hp on the earlier mannequin. Though the horsepower depend is barely decrease, the height torque depend stays at 260 Nm, which now arrives 300 rpm earlier at 1,800 rpm (it goes on till 5,000 rpm).
Honda additionally fitted a brand new, single-mass flywheel that’s 26% lighter than the outgoing mannequin’s dual-mass unit for a 30% discount in inertia. This offers the engine a snappier throttle response, and along with the broader energy curves, promotes higher driveability. One factor to notice is the Civic Si’s engine truly has a decrease redline of 6,500 rpm as a substitute of 6,600 rpm on the traditional Civic variants with the VTEC Turbo, though the latter solely has 180 hp and 240 Nm.
One other returning characteristic is a six-speed handbook transmission, though there’s now an ordinary rev-matching system lifted from the Civic Sort R with the identical response time. The transmission additionally comes with improved shift really feel and 10% shorter throws because of a extra inflexible shift lever mounting bracket and a brand new leather-wrapped aluminum shift knob much like the Civic Sort R.
Energy is routed to the entrance wheels by way of a helical limited-slip differential, whereas a dual-coil silencer exhaust system will increase exhaust stream by 27% in comparison with the Civic Touring. An improved Energetic Sound Management system provides to the aural expertise by pumping high-quality sound over a wider vary of engine speeds into the cabin.
As for dealing with, the brand new Civic Si boasts an 8% improve in torsional rigidity and a 13% improve in bending rigidity in comparison with its predecessor. The springs are additionally 8% stiffer within the entrance and 54% stiffer within the rear, whereas rear observe is elevated by 12.7 mm for added stability.
Different enhancements embody bolstered higher mounts for the entrance MacPherson struts, thicker entrance (27 mm hole) and rear (18 mm strong) stabiliser bars scale back physique roll. A 60% stiffer torsion bar connects the steering shaft to the steering rack pinion gear, and as with the non-Si variants, there’s nonetheless a multi-link rear suspension setup.
Just like the transmission, the Civic Si additionally sources a number of bits from the Civic Sort R for its chassis like 79% stiffer entrance compliance bushings. Stiffer rear compliance bushings, higher arms and decrease B-arms are additionally taken from the Civic Sort R.
For stopping energy, the brakes on the Civic Si are clearly bigger than the usual Civic, with the entrance sporting 312 mm discs (+30 mm) and 282 mm rear discs (+23 mm). These 18-inch wheels are paired with 235/40 profile all-season efficiency tyres, with summer time tyres out there as a manufacturing unit possibility.
These 10-spoke wheels in matte black are only one method of recognizing a Civic Si, with different standout cues being a brand new grille with a honeycomb mesh, whereas the decrease consumption has much less plastic protecting it. You’ll additionally discover a refined lip for the entrance bumper, a reshaped rear bumper with two massive oval exhaust ideas in addition to a boot lid spoiler, facet mirrors and window surrounds in black. The colourful physique color you see right here known as Blazing Orange Pearl, which is unique to the Civic Si.
The inside is basically much like a daily Civic, though it will get particular touches to mark it out because the sporty variant. These embody sports activities pedals; purple distinction stitching on the doorways, steering wheel, centre arm relaxation, shift boot and shift knob; and purple accents on the honeycomb sprint panel.
These entrance seats are additionally model-specific and have built-in headrests and extra distinguished shoulder and decrease thigh facet assist. In addition they have a decrease cushion raised by 12.7 mm on the entrance to offer even higher thigh assist to scale back fatigue on lengthy drives.
By way of tech, there’s a seven-inch instrument show that consists of a digital tachometer on the left, a multi-info display screen within the centre and a bodily speedometer dial. Becoming a member of it is a nine-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system that helps Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and is linked to a 12-speaker Bose sound system.
Mentioned instrument show is linked to the automotive’s drive mode system, which gives three modes, together with Regular, Sport and a brand new Particular person. The final one permits drivers to pick their most well-liked engine response, steering effort and instrument panel show color. In the meantime, Sport mode will increase throttle response, decreases steering help, deactivates the idle cease system, permits drivers to pick rev match on or off and modifications the instrument accent lighting from white to purple.
There’s loads of security package to associate with the efficiency too, with 10 airbags being customary, together with the Honda Sensing suite of energetic and driver help applied sciences that makes use of a single-camera system for an extended, wider subject of view.
