An all-new lineup of 2006 Honda Civic models debuts this fall. While Honda calls the model shown here a concept car, it's a strong indication of the styling and performance direction of an all-new Civic Si Coupe it will launch later this year. The Civic Si Coupe will serve as the performance leader for the all-new Civic line. Honda says that lineup will include a four-door sedan, a two-door coupe, an Si coupe, a more efficient Civic Hybrid, and a natural gas-powered Civic GX. If this Concept Si is any indication, the new production Si will be the fastest and most powerful Civic offered in the 20-year history of the Civic. The Si represents a nod to the youthful side of the market, underlining Honda's heritage as inspiration for tuners and sport compact car enthusiasts. Designed as an "Advanced Personal Compact," the next-generation Si will incorporate flowing bodywork, a steeply angled windshield, and wide stance to suggest stability and forward motion. The image shown here of the Si Concept is considered 90-percent accurate of the final styling, which will likely retain the high trunk deck and lower rear bumper diffuser with an integrated center exhaust system. On the concept, wheel openings have been optimized to minimize the gap between the tire and the body, and a full front and side aero kit and tall rear wing enhance the sweeping bodywork. The 2006 Si will be powered by a 200-horsepower, 16-valve i-VTEC engine. Honda sources indicate that next-generation i-VTEC technology will offer significant gains in performance and fuel economy. A six-speed transmission will give drivers manual control of shift points up to the engine's redline of 8000 rpm, and a helical-type limited-slip differential will enhance traction and cornering ability. Suggesting that Honda is determined to make the new Si fun to drive right from the factory, the Si Concept includes performance features such as 18-inch cast aluminum wheels with 225/40R high performance tires, and 4-wheel disc brakes with large cross-drilled brake rotors and 4-piston Brembo calipers. The concept car shown here was designed at Honda R&D America's Los Angeles design center and unveiled at the 2005 Chicago Auto Show in February. The production Si will make its world debut at the 2005 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in November.
The 2006 Honda Civic is redesigned, and Honda wants you to believe that it's still cool. To that end, the Civic shown initially at the 2005 Chicago Auto Show is a two-door Si coupe concept that represents 90 percent of the production car, which will be unveiled at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturer Association show in Las Vegas next fall. SEMA is the epicenter of the tuning and parts companies that Honda sees as the driving force behind the street scene, but the reality is that the scene revolves around the cool cars, not the other way around. The current Civic faded from enthusiasts' minds because it lost its multiple-link front suspension and rear trailing arms, and so lacks the nimbleness that once made it such a good foundation for modifications. Honda is making a lot of noise about the 8000-rpm, 200-hp i-VTEC engine, 6-speed transmission, and helical-type limited-slip differential in the new Civic, but there's no word about the reappearance of the missing suspension components. All new Civics will also feature ABS and head curtain air bags standard on all models, a compact car first. While 200 hp beats the Mazda 3's current top engine, the Civic will have its work cut out for it to be as nimble and responsive as that little car. We'll let you know when we drive one.
The Civic Si Concept, making its world debut today at the Chicago Auto Show, provides a strong indication of the styling and performance direction for an all-new production Civic Si Coupe scheduled to debut later this year.
The production Civic Si Coupe will serve as the performance leader for a completely redesigned 2006 model Civic lineup that will feature more emotional styling, added performance and the latest generation of "intelligent" i-VTEC engine technology. The 2006 Civic lineup, launching this fall, will include a 4-door Sedan, a 2-door Coupe and Si Coupe, an even more fuel efficient Civic Hybrid and a natural-gas powered Civic GX.
The Civic Si Concept celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Civic Si legacy in the U.S. and builds on its performance heritage with a 200-horsepower, 16-valve, DOHC i-VTEC engine with an 8,000 rpm red line, mated to a close ratio 6-speed manual transmission. Helping to put all that power to the ground is a helical-type limited slip differential for improved launch traction and cornering performance.
Other performance features of the Civic Si Concept include 18-inch cast aluminum wheels, 225/40R18 high performance tires and 4-wheel disc brakes with large cross-drilled brake rotors and 4-piston Brembo calipers. "The 2006 Civic Si Coupe will be the most powerful, fastest and fun-to-drive Si we've ever put on the street, and the Civic Si Concept sets the direction in terms of its styling, package and performance," said John Mendel, senior vice president of American Honda. "It's part of a new family of Civic vehicles that build on the already class-leading values of the Civic in terms of safety, styling, performance and fuel efficiency."
Designed as an "Advanced Personal Compact," the Civic Si Concept incorporates a sweeping roofline and ultra-fast windshield rake that highlights the vehicle's advanced one-motion profile, low and wide stance, and superior aerodynamic performance. The long trunk deck, with its frontward sloping bumper, accents the forward motion conveyed by the overall vehicle shape. Wheel openings have been optimized to minimize the gap between the tire and the body. Special aerodynamic features include a full front and side aero kit, rear deck wing and a lower rear bumper diffuser with an integrated center exhaust system.
The 2006 Civic Si Coupe will be the sixth generation Si, which first appeared as a three-door hatchback in 1986 with subsequent Civic Si models appearing in 1989, 1992, 1999 and 2002. The production Si will make its world debut at the 2005 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in November. The Civic Si Concept was designed at Honda R&D America's Los Angeles design center.
