Honda Civic Si Prototype First Look: Quicker and Better Handling Si is On the Way

The 10th-generation Honda Civic lineup got a bit more interesting today with the reveal of the Honda Civic Si prototype, which previews the production 2017 Honda Civic Si. Though some Honda fans might be too excited for the Civic Type-R’s imminent arrival in the U.S. to care about the less-extreme Si, Honda promises that the new model—debuting at the 2016 Los Angeles auto show—will be its “fastest, most powerful Si yet.”

You might think that means the new Civic Si will be powered by a detuned version of the Type-R’s 2.0-liter turbo-four, but the Civic Si concept actually packs a high-performance version of the turbo 1.5-liter found in higher-trim standard Civics. In addition to being turbocharged and direct-injected, the Si’s engine sports dual variable cam timing (dual VTC). Honda hasn’t revealed exact output for the mill, but being the “most powerful Si yet” means the new model will have to top the 205 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque of the last Si’s naturally aspirated 2.4-liter I-4. That torque figure shouldn’t be hard to beat, as the 1.5-liter turbo-four already makes 190 hp and 179 lb-ft in the 2017 CR-V. The engine in the Si will be backed exclusively by a short-shifting six-speed manual transmission.

Honda Civic Si Prototype front three quarter

Honda Civic Si Prototype front end 03 Honda Civic Si Prototype front end 02 Honda Civic Si Prototype rear end 04 Honda Civic Si Prototype rear end 03 Honda Civic Si Prototype interior Honda Civic Si Prototype interior seats Honda Civic Si Prototype center stack 02 Honda Civic Si Prototype steering wheel 02

Although the Type-R will arrive as a hatchback, the 2017 Honda Civic Si will be offered in coupe and sedan body styles. The concept previews the coupe variant, and sports a full Honda Factory Performance (HFP) aero kit complete with front and rear splitters and a rear spoiler. The concept also gets a center-mounted dual exhaust with polygonal tips and turbine-like 19-inch HFP forged alloy wheels wrapped in 235/35-size performance tires. The car is shown in a Rallye Red Pearl finish, a variation of the color offered on the last-gen Civic.

Honda says the Si concept’s interior is very close to production spec, so expect the 2017 Civic Si to get exclusive sport seats with red stitching and embroidered Si logos. Red stitching is also used on the door, panels, steering wheel, and shift boot, which is topped by an aluminum shift knob. The gauge cluster features a red TFT display, and the lighting for the audio system is also red. Finishing off the cabin are aluminum sport pedals and Dry Metal Carbon trim around the instrument panel and across the dash.

“This will be, hands down, the fastest, best-handling Si we’ve ever offered to our customers,” said Honda senior vice president and general manager Jeff Conrad, in a release.

We like the performance of the standard Civic with the 1.5T, so that statement isn’t too hard to believe. Will it bring the sport compact crown back to Honda? We’ll find out when the 2017 Honda Civic Si coupe and sedan launch next year.

Honda Civic Si Prototype wheels Honda Civic Si Prototype wheels 04 Honda Civic Si Prototype wheels 03 Honda Civic Si Prototype wheels 02 Honda Civic Si Prototype tires Honda Civic Si Prototype taillight Honda Civic Si Prototype tailpipe Honda Civic Si Prototype steering wheel Honda Civic Si Prototype side mirror Honda Civic Si Prototype rear three quarter Honda Civic Si Prototype rear three quarter 02 Honda Civic Si Prototype rear taillight Honda Civic Si Prototype rear end Honda Civic Si Prototype rear end 02 Honda Civic Si Prototype rear details Honda Civic Si Prototype rear details 02 Honda Civic Si Prototype interior Honda Civic Si Prototype interior seats 02 Honda Civic Si Prototype interior 02 Honda Civic Si Prototype headlamp Honda Civic Si Prototype headlamp 02 Honda Civic Si Prototype front wheels Honda Civic Si Prototype front grille Honda Civic Si Prototype front end Honda Civic Si Prototype foglight Honda Civic Si Prototype center stack Honda Civic Si Prototype badge Honda Civic Si Coupe prototype seat detail Honda Civic Si Coupe prototype shifter 01 Honda Civic Si Coupe prototype shifter 02 Honda Civic Si Coupe prototype cabin Honda Civic Si Coupe prototype dashboard Honda Civic Si Coupe prototype dashboard close up Honda Civic Si Coupe prototype exhaust Honda Civic Si Coupe prototype badge Honda Civic Si Coupe prototype headlamp Honda Civic Si Coupe prototype rear end Honda Civic Si Coupe prototype rear spoiler Honda Civic Si Coupe prototype tail lamp Honda Civic Si Coupe prototype rear three quarter 01 Honda Civic Si Coupe prototype side profile Honda Civic Si Coupe prototype rear three quarter 02 Honda Civic Si Coupe prototype rear view Honda Civic Si Coupe prototype front view

The post Honda Civic Si Prototype First Look: Quicker and Better Handling Si is On the Way appeared first on Motor Trend.



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