Honda Unveils Civic Si Prototype Ahead of L.A. Show

Honda pulls the covers off its Civic Si prototype model today at a pre-Los Angeles auto show event.

Despite the forthcoming high-performance Civic Type R, Honda is planning another generation of the Civic Si. The Si will continue to be available in coupe and sedan body styles, while the Type R is a hatchback.

“This will be, hands down, the fastest, best-handling Si we’ve ever offered to our customers,” Jeff Conrad, Honda Div. general manager, says in a statement.

The Si will use a high-torque version of Honda’s 1.5L turbocharged and direct-injected 4-cyl. from the Civic lineup. The mill, employing dual variable cam timing, will be mated to a 6-speed manual transmission.

Other Civic Si features include new active damper and active steering systems, as well as a new limited slip differential and optional high-performance tires.

In the Civic sedan and coupe, the 1.5T makes 162 lb.-ft. (220 Nm) or 167 lb.-ft. (226 Nm) depending on the grade, while the engine in the new Civic hatchback churns out 177 lb.-ft. (240 Nm).

The previous-generation Civic Si was powered by a naturally aspirated 2.4L inline 4-cyl. making 174 lb.-ft. (236 Nm) of torque.

Honda says the Si prototype “closely previews” the ’17 production model and has design features such as red stitching on seats, doors, the steering wheel and shift boot. Red lighting illuminates the gauge-cluster meter and audio system. Si stitching logos also are on seats while aluminum decorates pedals and the shift knob; the instrument panel trim is dry metal carbon, Honda says.

On its exterior, the Si prototype is painted Rallye Red Pearl and has 10-spoke forged aluminum alloy wheels. The prototype wears a full factory performance aero kit that includes front and rear splitters, a rear spoiler, dual center-mounted polygonal exhaust finishers and 19-in. tires.

The Civic Si will be the fourth variant in the 10^th-generation Civic lineup, following the introduction of the sedan, coupe and hatchback. The fifth variant, the Type R, also goes on sale next year. It was previewed at the recent Paris auto show and SEMA show in Las Vegas.

Honda hasn’t disclosed Civic Type R engine information, but the production model is expected to churn out 300 hp. The prototype shown in Paris and Las Vegas had a winged carbon-fiber splitter in front and a rear wing, as well as diamond-mesh air intake inserts, 20-in. wheels, a hood scoop and carbon-fiber side skirts.

Honda is calling for Civic U.S. sales to hit a record in 2016, surpassing the 339,289 sold in 2008. Through October, Civic sales were up 11.7% to 310,142, WardsAuto data shows, making it the top seller in the Upper Small car segment so far this year.

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