Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Sedans/Saloons
Chicago Auto Show: Honda drops a four-door Civic Si
Say you're a recently-married 30-year-old professional, with a household income of $65,000. Maybe you've got kids on the way, or perhaps the wife just isn't keen on the idea of a coupe, but you'd still like an affordable sport-compact. If so, you're right in the target demographic for Honda's Civic Si sedan. All the goodies from the coupe are carried over from the concept version of the Si coupe - 197 HP four-banger, 6-speed manual gearbox, 18" wheels and tires, Brembo brakes, and a limited-slip diff.
This will mark the first time that the Civic Si will be simultaneously offered in two different body styles, and obviously the first time it'll be offered with an extra set of doors. So, we've got the 6sp/V6 combo in the Accord, and now this; take it as a strong sign that Honda no longer sees a need to let the two-door crowd have all the fun.
Click through and keep scrolling for plenty more live shots and studio pictures.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
IK 5:26PM (2/08/2006)
This is the car I was waiting for,..
But what is with that ugly spoiler?
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Gunnar 5:29PM (2/08/2006)
This is one car I wanted to see. I wonder if the model shown above will resemble what they are going to sell at dealerships.
I like the spoiler and the rims, but I am sure they don't have them on the stock model Si.
This car is on my consideration list, but I want to hold off for the RSX-S replacement coming next year.
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judd 5:31PM (2/08/2006)
I hope that wing doesn't make it to the production car, but I've been waiting for ya!
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Fede 5:31PM (2/08/2006)
Me likes!
I'd take a white one without the rear spoiler...
I'm that new father needing 4 doors but looking for the right amount of performance around $20k, with top safety features.
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Pip 5:35PM (2/08/2006)
Well, that wing is tremendously ugly, and I really don't think the back end looks too great. But, this thing really beats the value out of the TSX--not as much luxury, but for SO much less. And, it's even got an LSD!
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Justin 5:38PM (2/08/2006)
RSX is dead. It will be replaced by the euro civic next year.
This SI sedan is HOT. What took them so long?
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AJ Ballou 5:43PM (2/08/2006)
Yippee! Now how 'bout a five-door somethinorother in Si trim to compete with the Mazda3? Hot hatches are the way to go.
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Ross 5:46PM (2/08/2006)
Waa-hooo! Another P.O.S. rice burner! Who the hell cares?!
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Ross 5:46PM (2/08/2006)
Waa-hooo! Another P.O.S. rice burner! Who the hell cares?!
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Ross 5:46PM (2/08/2006)
Waa-hooo! Another P.O.S. rice burner! Who the hell cares?!
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Nico MCM 5:54PM (2/08/2006)
Ross (#6-8), I think you made your point the first time.
I would like to know if that is a carbon-fiber hood. What are the chances of that making it onto the production car at Honda dealerships?
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scott rc 6:14PM (2/08/2006)
Attach the rear wing at the ends instead of in the middle, and lower its profile.... Then change the hood to the same color instead of the faux-Carbon Fiber Look, and even if it was carbon Fiber, lets be realistic... is it REALLY going to help this car? It looks to me like an RSX, but without the horsepower or handling. Surprised Honda didn't do something with the tailpipe either. Dual Exhaust FTW!
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Christian J 6:27PM (2/08/2006)
Lame. That is a factory rice car. 4-doors. All show and no go. Grocery getter witha carbon fibre hood and brembos. Ugly besides. How about a car with a few extra horses? Losers.
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Robert Aitchison 6:35PM (2/08/2006)
Just what the world needs, another go-fast sedan
Though I do have to hand it to Honda, unlike almost everyone else (*cough*Nissam*cough*Mazda*cough*Mitsubishi*cough*) they not only offer their sport trim model in non grocery-getter form (sedans, not wagons are the real grocery getters since you can't fit anything but groceries in a trunk) they offered the non grocery-getter first.
I doubt that the CF hood would make it into production, for one thing it's expensive, for another, I doubt the wives of the whipped men that would be buying this thing would like it.
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Vincent 7:04PM (2/08/2006)
What happens to the TSX now? Gives one less reason to cop one of those. Sure, it's an Acura Dealer, but it's also $10k, so I'll take the Honda quality and never go to the dealer anyway. What's the 0-60 on this cat? Any slower than the coupe? I think it's due for about 15+ hp for perfection, maybe an AWD option...ok, maybe just a little more go.
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s 7:19PM (2/08/2006)
There is too much bitching about this car. This is old news anyway. Back in Dec vtec.net told everyone that Civic sedan Si was coming.
Expecting more horses and other features wasn't going to happen. Why would think it would have mroe features than the coupe? Hello, think!
This complaining about this affecting the TSX is less of an issue than you are making. TSX is bigger, slight more horses (which is only temporary, replacement will get a bump) and it more luxurious looking exterior and interior. A person who is looking for compact performance around 20K cause that's what they can afford will buy this. A person looking for luxury features will go for either a top of the line Accord or TSX for price around 26-27K.
The sedan is a welcome to the line-up. It just shows Honda is listening. We got the 6 speed Accord and now Civic sedan.
Honda is slowly changing the line-up and will see more changes from Acura as well. RSX gone after this year and a new coupe will debut above the TL is price range.
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Michael Karesh 7:39PM (2/08/2006)
I'm with the guy who'd really like a 5-door. But a 4-door might just do the trick. For me it'll come down to the handling.
Anyone who doesn't see the point of this car and the TSX, that's what I don't understand. The TSX is primarily about features and refinement, with decent handling thrown into the mix. But it's still a fairly tame car. A Civic Si would have far fewer luxury features, and wouldn't feel nearly as solid or quiet, but has a chance of actually getting my pulse going.
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Steve S 7:39PM (2/08/2006)
Needs a turbocharged 4 and AWD and another 100 hp.
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Bow tie optional 7:46PM (2/08/2006)
I wonder if this will even see the light of day in canada given that we have the CSX now (canada's jap spec civic). I think the only thing the Accura CSX had going for it was it was a sedan, and had bit more juice. Guess that turkey is soon to be cooked.
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far jr 7:58PM (2/08/2006)
Sharp car (except for the wing). I like the black hood and the dark rims! Alas, it's still too small for my family. Can anyone say Odyssey SI? :(
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