Honda is killing it this year. Seriously, just look at the product portfolio. And the hits just keep on coming.
While the Civic Type R was revealed to a lot of praise, I think it is important not to ignore what just came about in Los Angeles. That's because the Si was just debuted for the very first time.
LA Auto Show
Because the Type R is going to fetch a pretty penny. Just look at the going rate for the Ford Focus RS, Volkswagen Golf R and Subaru WRX STI. You're talking about, give or take, $40,000. The Si, on the other hand will go for probably $25,000-$28,000.
As of now no specifications have been dropped as you'll note in the press release below. Aside from the 1.5-liter, four-cylinder, Honda has not released any other info. What Honda brought is a "concept" that essentially shows you pretty much exactly what it will look like when it launches.
As you'd expect there's no ETA on when it will hit showrooms but I'd guess within six months.
The LA Auto Show photo galleries are sponsored by Lexus.
LA Auto Show
Honda's press release follows:
Unveiling of Sporty Honda Civic Si Prototype Completes 10th Generation Civic Line-up
- 2017 Civic Si will be fastest, most powerful Si yet
- Si Coupe and Si Sedan joining 10th-generation Civic lineup in 2017
- Active steering, active suspension, limited-slip differential and high-performance tires among Si performance upgrades
- All models to feature short-shifting 6-speed manual
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The Honda Civic Si Prototype made its global debut today, giving Honda enthusiasts a good look at the design and performance direction for the 2017 Civic Si Coupe and Si Sedan, both launching next year. The Civic Si Prototype will be on display at the 2016 Los Angeles International Auto Show where it will be joined by its Civic Sedan, Coupe and Hatchback siblings, plus the radical Civic Type-R Prototype, providing the first public opportunity to see all five Civic variants. This will also be the first time the Type-R interior will be shown.
The shimmering Rallye Red Pearl Civic Si Prototype features a full Factory Performance (HFP) aero kit, including front and rear splitters and rear spoiler, plus a center-mounted polygonal exhaust finisher and 19-inch 235/35Y high-performance tires mounted on HFP 19 x 8J 10-spoke forged aluminum alloy wheels.
The 2017 Civic Si Coupe and Si Sedan will be powered by a high-performance, high-torque 1.5-liter, directed-injected and turbocharged DOHC in-line 4-cylinder engine with dual variable cam timing (dual VTC) mated to a short-shifting 6-speed manual transmission. Additional performance upgrades for the Si variants will include a new active damper system, active steering system, limited-slip differential and available high-performance tires.
"With the new Honda Civic Si, we're injecting even more sporty goodness into our 10th-generation Civic lineup," said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of Honda. "This will be, hands down, the fastest, best-handling Si we've ever offered to our customers."
The Civic Si Prototype interior closely previews the production model and features Si-exclusive front sport seats with red stitching, including stitched Si logos. The red sport stitching carries through to the doors, steering wheel and leather shift boot with aluminum shift knob. The Si Prototype interior also features a red driver's TFT meter and audio system illumination, aluminum sport pedals and Dry Metal Carbon instrument panel trim.
The Civic Si Coupe and Si Sedan will launch next year as the latest additions to the 10th-generation Honda Civic lineup, joining the Civic Sedan, Civic Coupe and just-launched Civic Hatchback. The rollout of the 10th-gen Civic lineup will be completed with the launch of the new track-ready Civic Type-R next year.
The 2016 Civic Sedan was named North American Car of the Year at the North American International Auto Show in January. Civic is the best-selling car with individual American car buyers in 2016 and is on track to post the highest U.S. sales in its 44-year history, with sales up 11.7 percent to 310,142 units through the end of October. The previous U.S. sales record for Civic of 339,289 units was set in 2008.