The Honda Civic Si has been unveiled as a continuation of the performance-inspired sedan that appeals to enthusiastic drivers that aren’t looking for a big power figure. The model offers a bit more power and comes with some extra kit and a tuned chassis.
Under the bonnet of the Honda Civic Si sits the brand’s turbocharged 1,5-litre four-cylinder mill that delivers 150 kW and 260 N.m of torque to the front wheels. To improve the aural experience, a new dual-coil silencer exhaust system has been fitted. This increases exhaust flow 27 per cent. It also sports an improved Active Sound Control system claims to produce a high-quality sound over a wider range of engine revs.
The engine also benefits from a new single-mass flywheel which is 26 percent lighter than the dual-mass unit used in the previous Si. This part aims to give the engine a snappier throttle response for an even sportier driving experience, while also improving drivability. To maximise available traction when accelerating, power is routed to the front wheels through a standard helical limited-slip differential.
The Honda Civic Si will only be available with a six-speed manual gearbox with improved shift feel and 10 per cent shorter throws. A new, more rigid shift lever mounting bracket and a leather-wrapped aluminum shift knob similar to the Civic Type R’s contribute to the improved feel.
The highlight of the Honda Civic Si however is its unique chassis setup which consists of an eight per cent increase in torsional rigidity and a 13 per cent increase in bending rigidity compared to the outgoing Si. The spring rates are now eight per cent stiffer in front and 54 per cent stiffer in the rear compared to Civic Sedan. New dampers also have been tuned specifically for the Si. The front MacPherson struts feature reinforced upper mounts to handle the increased cornering loads, and thicker front (27 mm hollow) and rear (18 mm solid) stabiliser bars compared to Civic to minimize body roll.
The Honda Civic Si also features larger brakes than the standard Civic. 312 mm front rotors and 282 mm rear rotors are standard along with 235/40R18 performance tyres.
