Autoblog

Consumer Reports recommends Civic Si, but ranks Jetta GLI higher

Zach Bowman — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Honda, Volkswagen

Consumer Reports and the 2012 Honda Civic haven't had the best of relationships. The model failed to earn the publication's coveted "recommended" designation for the first time in the vehicle's history after an extensive redesign, but CR has found space in its heart for the 2012 Civic SI.

The more sporting version of the venerable compact managed to pickup a recommended rating thanks to additional torque from its revised 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine as well as a quality transmission and good fuel economy. Unfortunately, CR still docked the vehicle for many of the same problems it had with the base Civic, including vague steering, cheap plastics inside and a noisy cabin.

Those faults helped the Volkswagen Jetta GLI beat out the Honda Civic SI in a recent head-to-head competition. Evaluators specifically cited the precise steering of the GLI as well as suspension tuning that yields little body lean as benefits, though at 27 miles per gallon, the model averaged 2 mpg less than the Honda. It's worth noting that the Jetta GLI is still to new to have earned a recommended rating. Click past the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Consumer Reports recommends Civic Si, but ranks Jetta GLI higher

Consumer Reports recommends Civic Si, but ranks Jetta GLI higher originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is this the highest-flying Honda ever?

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Videos, Honda, Humor

We know it doesn't look like the rallying Honda Civic hatchback above is doing anything special, but trust us, this is a case of "Oh, I wasn't expecting that at all."

After barreling across the ridiculously long run-up to the crest, the pilot even lets off the gas before launch, yet still manages to look like he's qualifying for the 2014 Winter Olympic ski jump in Sochi. He might want to work on his pre-running notes before the next outing.

You'll find the mighty leap in the video after the jump. You can start preparing your "VTEC just kicked in yo!" now.

Continue reading Is this the highest-flying Honda ever?

Is this the highest-flying Honda ever? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe HFP tunes in with limited edition kit

Noah Joseph — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Coupe, Performance, Honda

Few model lines have had as big an impact on the import tuner scene as the Honda Civic. The letters "S" and "i" have come to embody what the model's sporting potential, and with the revamped 2012 model already at dealers, Honda has brought a specially equipped Civic Si Coupe to SEMA fitted with all manner of Honda Factory Performance extras.

This limited edition Civic Si Coupe HFP packs an upgraded suspension (including new springs that drop the ride height by 15 millimeters and high-performance dampers), special 18-inch alloys, full body kit, the requisite special badging and some interior enhancements, all from the Honda Factory Performance catalog. Honda won't offer a complete turn-key HFP model, but dealers will be happy to sell you the kits already color-matched to the paint on your 2012 Si, and we bet they'll even fit the parts for you if you ask nicely and open your wallet.

Just 500 examples of the coupe-only kit will be offered at dealers (sorry, Si sedan owners) , but pricing has not been released yet. In the meantime, you can check it out live from the SEMA show floor in Vegas with our high-res images, a quartet of stock photos and the press release after the jump.

Continue reading 2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe HFP tunes in with limited edition kit

2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe HFP tunes in with limited edition kit originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fox Marketing prepping special Honda Civic Si for SEMA

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Budget, Sedan, Performance, Honda

SEMA is only a few weeks away, and it seems like all the little fish are being let out of the pond first. We've heard about visitations from Focuses and Fiestas, Genesis Coupes and Velosters and classic Ford racers, now add the 2012 Honda Civic Si by Fox Marketing to the roll call. And full disclosure: Autoblog will have a sticker on this car.

You know the drill by now: start with an economy car, change everything, voila, SEMA here we come. Among these changes are a turbocharged 450-horsepower engine, and not just any turbo, but that from Honda's LMP1/LMP2 and IndyCar engines. An ECU from a 2006 Civic Si controls the action, and with all hope, 10.5-inch tires will control the grip. Follow the jump for a complete parts list or go straight for the goodies in the high-res gallery.

Continue reading Fox Marketing prepping special Honda Civic Si for SEMA

Fox Marketing prepping special Honda Civic Si for SEMA originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York 2011: Honda brings entire 2012 Civic family to New York

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Coupe, Hybrid, Sedan, Honda

2012 Honda Civic Si - Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda brought the whole family of 2012 Civics to the party at this year's New York Auto Show. We've gotten to feast our eyes on the coupe, sedan, Si, hybrid and natural gas-drinking GX. That's a lot of new sheetmetal to look at, so we decided to pack them all in one post to make it easy on you.

The 2012 Civic coupe, sedan and GX are all powered by a 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder engine that produces 140 horsepower. In uber-efficient HF guise, the same engines is capable of returning 41 miles per gallon fuel economy on the highway. The standard coupe and sedan are nearly as frugal at 39 mpg on the highway. We'll have a separate report on the new Civic Hybrid soon, but in the meantime know that it will be rated at 44 mpg combined, an improvement of 4 mpg over last year's model.

Were it our money on the line, however, we'd trade a few miles per gallon for a bit more driving excitement. The 2012 Honda Civic Si would be our choice, with its new 200-horsepower/170 pound-feet of torque 2.4-liter four-cylinder. Still, this is a compact Honda and, when paired with the six-speed manual gearbox, the Civic Si achieves 31 miles per gallon on the highway.

You can check out all of the new Civics in the galleries below. After that, take a dive into Honda's official press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2012 Honda Civic Si: New York 2011

Gallery: 2012 Honda Civic Coupe: New York 2011

Gallery: 2012 Honda Civic Sedan: New York 2011

Gallery: 2012 Honda Civic GX: New York 2011

Gallery: 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid: New York 2011

Continue reading New York 2011: Honda brings entire 2012 Civic family to New York

New York 2011: Honda brings entire 2012 Civic family to New York originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Honda Civic launches in five flavors

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 15:40:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Hybrid, Sedan, Honda

2012 Honda Civic Si - Click above for high-res image gallery

That's right, this is the 2012 Honda Civic in all its glory. Though it might be difficult to tell with just a casual glance, this Civic is brand-new, sharing practically nothing but its moniker with the previous generation. As much as we may have liked some additional visual flair, it seems Honda is being conservative and aiming right for the heart of the market with five separate and distinct flavors of its compact offering.

We'll start with the all-new HF model, which, as you may have guessed, is the most fuel efficient of the non-hybridized Civics that will be available in the United States. Honda expects the HF, with its 1.8-liter i-VTEC engine, to earn EPA-estimated fuel economy of 41 miles per gallon on the highway. The HF will share its aerodynamics package with the returing Civic Hybrid, which manages a combined rating of 45 mpg (a four-mpg improvement over the outgoing Civic Hybrid) thanks to its lithium-ion battery - a Honda-first - and 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine and CVT transmission. There's also a natural gas-powered Civic GX.

While those two models aim for the ultimate in fuel efficiency, we imagine that the standard Sedan and Coupe models will make up the bulk of sales. Buyers will find a 1.8-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine underhood with 140 horsepower that scores an EPA-estimated 39 mpg on the highway (a three-mpg improvement over the last Civic). The Civic soldiers on with a five-speed automatic at a time when most of its competitors are packing six ratios.

And then, of course, there's the sporty Si model. As the Civic that's meant to steal the hearts of performance lovers, it's nice to see a new 2.4-liter powerplant with 200 horsepower mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. Perhaps more importantly, the larger mill pumps out 170 pound-feet of torque, a 22-percent increase over the outgoing twist-starved Si. All that and an additional two mpg on the highway (31 mpg estimated) ought to make for a reasonably fun everyday commuter.

And now to the styling. We'll start off on a positive note: the 2012 Honda Civic is not ugly. Problem is, it's also not hugely attractive. In fact, *yawn* it's not really anything. Both inside and out, this latest Civic is barely distinguishable from the previous generation, and as competitors continue pushing their design envelope forward, well... we really expect more these days. Let's hope the driving dynamics live up to our lofty expectations, and let's also hope that Honda accidentally left the shipping blocks in the cars it used for photography - particularly the Si models - or the new model looks a bit high-riding.

In any case, you don't have to take our word for it. See the 2012 Civic for yourself in our high-res image gallery below and feel free to peruse the full press release after the break.

Gallery: 2012 Honda Civic

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading 2012 Honda Civic launches in five flavors

2012 Honda Civic launches in five flavors originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 2012 Honda Civic Si getting new 2.4L engine with 200 hp

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Honda

Honda Civic Si Coupe Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda gave us a preview of its 2012 Civic at this year's Detroit Auto Show, and while the car we saw on stage was technically a "concept," we expect the production car to look very similar, albeit with more conventional wheels, headlamps, and, you know, an interior. Instead of just showing one Civic, Honda brought out both a sedan and Si coupe concept, and now our friends at Temple of VTEC have reportedly confirmed that a new 2.4-liter mill is on deck for the sportiest of Civics.

Known internally as "K24," the 2.4-liter engine slated for Civic Si use will be very similar to the powerplant currently used in the Acura TSX. No official power numbers have been divulged, but this engine currently makes 201 horsepower in the TSX, so we'll bet that Civic Si output will be somewhere between 200 and 210 hp. That isn't a huge increase over the 197 hp currently available from the Si's 2.0-liter four, but the 2.4-liter engine should prove to be a bit torquier. Look for something along the lines of 170 pound-feet in the 2012 model, whereas the current car only produces 139 lb-ft of twist.

Official data will be revealed closer to the Civic family's launch later this year. And while these new Si numbers aren't leaps and bounds better than what's currently available, the easily flickable driving dynamics and rev-happy power should still make it an engaging steer.

Gallery: Honda Civic Si Coupe Concept

[Source: Temple of VTEC]

Report: 2012 Honda Civic Si getting new 2.4L engine with 200 hp originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 2012 Honda Civic coming in April, all variants to launch in quick succession

Noah Joseph — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 13:32:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Sedan, Honda

Honda Civic Si coupe concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

A Civic for everyone. That was Soichiro Honda's motto when rolling out the original Civic, and it's one to which his company intends to stick with the launch of the next-generation model. When the all-new 2012 Civic is launched in April, Honda will roll out a whole variety of body and propulsion configurations within mere weeks of each other, instead of letting months pass between the debut of one model to the next.

Among those variants, we can expect both a sedan and a coupe, with several conventional gasoline engines on offer - including natural gas and hybrid versions - as well as the sporty Civic Si.

The new Civic, previewed recently at the Detroit Auto Show, was slated to debut in 2009. But when the global economy started going south, Honda sent the design back to the drawing board for a nearly complete overhaul before it ever saw the light of day. The result is expected to be much roomier than the current model, though the exterior design hasn't changed all that much.

Gallery: Honda Civic Si Coupe Concept

Gallery: Honda Civic Sedan Concept

[Source: AutoWeek]

Report: 2012 Honda Civic coming in April, all variants to launch in quick succession originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2010 Honda Civic Si HFP not fast, is curious

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Performance, Honda, New Car Reviews

2010 Honda Civic Si HFP - Click above for high-res image gallery

There was a time was when any serious discussion of "hot hatches" - small, lightweight economy cars pumped full of go-fast parts and body modifications of dubious taste - always included the Honda Civic Si. Back in the day, the D16Z6-engined Si would routinely do battle against the Volkswagen GTI and Nissan Sentra SE-R for import tuner supremacy. Times, however, change.

These days, the battle for hot hatch supremacy starts and essentially ends with turbocharged beasties like the Mitsubishi Evolution and Subaru WRX/STI, with a dash of MazdaSpeed3 or Mini Cooper S thrown in for flavor. The Sentra SE-R is little more than a sad shell of its former self (a fact we find odd considering just how much cache Nissan has built up for the brand with its exotic-destroying Godzilla GT-R) and the Volkswagen GTI has evolved into an entry-level Audi - lots of interior and NVH refinement, but lacking the kicked-in-the-you-know-where power necessary to keep up with the all-wheel-drive Japanese kids. But what about the Civic Si? Where does it fit into the import tuner lexicon, especially when loaded up with lots of Honda Factory Performance (HFP) parts? Make the jump as we attempt to find out.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Honda Civic Si HFP

Continue reading Review: 2010 Honda Civic Si HFP not fast, is curious

Review: 2010 Honda Civic Si HFP not fast, is curious originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Delayed Civic Begs the Question: Has Honda lost the plot? [w/poll]

Chris Shunk — Wed, 26 May 2010 20:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Classics, Coupe, Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Honda, Design/Style

Honda Civic: A History in Pictures - click above for a high-res image gallery

Honda Vice President John Mendel recently admitted to AutoWeek that the next-generation Civic will be delayed from the Fall of 2010 to sometime in 2011. Mendel said in the interview that the Civic was delayed because of tightening emissions standards and he also noted that changing market conditions were partly to blame. AW also notes that the Civic's design was changed along the way, as Honda's second biggest selling model was originally scheduled to be larger for 2011. Happens all the time, right? Well, not to Honda it doesn't.

Bill Visnic over at Edmunds Auto Observer has taken a deep-dive look at the broader implications of the Civic redesign, and came up with some very interesting points. For starters, Krebs speculates that the next Civic was delayed in part because it wasn't competitive compared to the new, vastly improved competition from companies like Hyundai, General Motors and Ford. While some analysts feel that the Honda redesign shows that the Japanese automaker is willing to swallow some humble pie and get things right, Krebs counters that going back to the drawing board shows that Honda has lost its touch with the car-buying public. Further support for her theory centers around the lackluster greeting for the Insight by both consumers and pundits, Acura's polarizing styling language and the love/hate Accord Crosstour and its embarassing social media launch efforts. Analyst John Wolkonowicz of Global Insight appears to agree with Krebs, saying that Honda is living off of its reputation from the 1980s and 1990s.

Where do we stand on the Honda Civic design pushback? We're thinking that as long as the Civic continues to sell in big numbers with relatively small incentives, Honda is smart to head back to the drawing board, especially as it is still selling strongly five years into its lifecycle. However, we've been worried that Honda has been losing its engineering-led focus for a while now, so we'll be looking to the next-gen Civic for some level of redemption.

Be sure to take our poll and check out our high-res gallery of Honda Civic history before heading over to the Auto Observer for some very interesting analysis.

Gallery: Honda Civic: A History in Pictures

View Poll

[Source: Auto Observer]

Delayed Civic Begs the Question: Has Honda lost the plot? [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 May 2010 20:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next-generation Honda Civic may be delayed

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 17 May 2010 12:35:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Sedan, Honda

Typically, most automakers stick to a relatively strict five-year product cycle for their highest-selling, most important products. The Honda Civic, for example, debuted in September of 2005, so realistically, a new model should be just around the corner, right? Not exactly.

In an interview with AutoWeek, American Honda executive vice president John Mendel said that changing market conditions and tougher fuel economy and emissions regulations have strongly affected the development of the next-generation Civic, meaning that the new model won't come until sometime in 2011. AW also reports that the Civic's redesign has been altered along the way - the new model was supposed to be larger than the current model, but now it has been redesigned to be closer in size to the current one (pictured above).

What's more, with hot new products like the 2012 Ford Focus on deck, Honda will certainly have to up the ante on the Civic's level of equipment, style and refinement. The Civic is still one of the world's best-selling cars: about one million are moved each year. And with the U.S. accounting for approximately one-third of those sales, Honda would be wise to ensure that the next-generation Civic will be attractive enough to keep it in the top tier of high-selling vehicles in the States.

Gallery: 2009 Honda Civic

[Source: AutoWeek]

Next-generation Honda Civic may be delayed originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 May 2010 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Mismatched much? Challenger SRT8 vs. Civic Si

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 30 May 2008 18:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Dodge, Honda

We've driven the Honda Civic Si, and have found it to be an entertaining vehicle to attack some twisties. A drag racer, though, it is most assuredly not. Sure, offering just shy of two-hundred horsepower from such a small engine is impressive, but the distinct lack of torque and the stratospheric rev-ceiling required to extract those ponies will surely limit the straight-line drag numbers. The new Dodge Challenger SRT8, on the other hand, does not require high-rev shenanigans in order to scorch the 1320, and this point is proven in the video posted after the break. Although only covering an eighth mile, the Challenger has no problem keeping the Si at bay. We're not knocking the Si, as this type of activity is clearly not its proper playground, but listen closely when playing the video and you'll hear that the Challenger's pilot was toying with the Civic driver. It's not until the last few hundred feet that the Hemi driver dips into the throttle, leading to a few chuckles from the crowd.

[Source: Youtube via Jalopnik]

Continue reading VIDEO: Mismatched much? Challenger SRT8 vs. Civic Si

VIDEO: Mismatched much? Challenger SRT8 vs. Civic Si originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 May 2008 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2008 Mugen Edition Honda Civic Si vandalized on dealer lot

Merritt Johnson — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 18:27:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Etc., Honda

I have a soft spot for special edition Hondas. Unfortunately, so do a lot of people. They are more coveted by thieves than your Pay Pal password. An Acura Integra Type R or Honda Civic Si usually does a disappearing act when parked on dimly lit street. Apparently not even the latest generation Honda Civic Si is immune from the Honda curse. One car dealership has learned what every modified Honda owner knows; do not park your limited edition 2008 Mugen Honda Civic Si in an open lot. Thus, the 1,000 allotted Mugen Civic Si's slated for the United States are now down to 999. Before it could even reach the hands of an eager enthusiast, one Mugen Si was raided in the night while parked on a dealership lot. The thieves smashed a window, took the wheels, seats, badges, and shift knob, among other misc. items. The car was found by dealership employees perched on two jackstands and the front rotors. Sights like this really break my heart. I hope karma comes back and bites those who did the crime. View the gallery to check out the damage. Thanks for the tip Joe!

[Source: EPhatch.com via 8thcivic.com]

Gallery: 2008 Mugen Edition Honda Civic Si

2008 Mugen Edition Honda Civic Si vandalized on dealer lot originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Nov 2007 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda prices Civic MUGEN Si Sedan from $29,500

Alex Nunez — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 10:03:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Tuners, Sedan, Performance, Honda

Click image for photo gallery

Short and sweet: If you want one of the 1,000 2008 Honda Civic MUGEN Si sedans coming to dealer showrooms, you will have to pony up $29,500 plus taxes and destination charges. That amount gets you a Civic Si that's been given the once-over by MUGEN, which supplies a track-tuned suspension, aerodynamics package, lightweight wheels, and a sport exhaust. A number of bespoke touches dress up the interior as well. You can read our original posts and the press release after the jump for full info on the car. As for the price, whether or not it's "worth" it depends on your level of interest, naturally. Something tells us that the first official MUGEN vehicle for the US market will have no problem attracting 1,000 people willing to part with 30 grand.

[Source: Honda]

Gallery: 2008 Honda Civic MUGEN Si

Continue reading Honda prices Civic MUGEN Si Sedan from $29,500

Honda prices Civic MUGEN Si Sedan from $29,500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Oct 2007 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda says diesel-powered Civic Type-R in the works

Chris Shunk — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Green, Hatchback, Honda

click above image to view more pics of the Euro-spec Honda Civic Type-R

For some strange reason, the U.S. is sort of like the village of the damned when it comes to cool overseas products, because we never seem to get anything that our friends overseas get. Take the Civic Type-R, for instance. It's a sweet hatch that looks way cooler than the Si coupe or sedan Honda sells Stateside. Now comes word from Autocar in the UK that the Type-R will soon receive a high-revving diesel engine. The 2.2L turbodiesel, which will also power the 2009 Accord, is rumored to kick out 180 HP and 320 ft-lbs. of torque. A top Honda powertrain engineer, Kenichi Nagahiro, says that the diesel-powered Type-R will live up to the Civic Type-R's performance standards. All that fun and 40-50 mpg sounds like something that would sell in the U.S.

Since we'll eventually be getting a diesel-powered Accord in the near future, maybe there is a chance that some day we'll see a diesel Civic on sale in the U.S. As for the Type-R hatch ever being seen in the U.S., we're going with fat chance.

[Source: Autocar]

Gallery: Honda Civic Type R hatchback (EU)

Honda says diesel-powered Civic Type-R in the works originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eye Candy: Honda releases more pics of the Civic Mugen Si

Alex Nunez — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Honda

click above image for a new high-res gallery of the Civic Mugen Si

The Honda Civic Mugen Si is the first real factory Mugen vehicle to be offered in the United States. When Honda pulled the wraps off the production car last month, all we saw were a few static studio images. That's been remedied, as the automaker has unleashed a mess 'o new shots, showing the trick, tuned Civic Si carving up a track. Limited to 1,000 units, the Mugen Si gets a more aggressive suspension tune, the body kit shown, and lighter wheels. Power is the same as the standard Civic Si, but we have a feeling the Mugen will hustle around the track in less time. It goes on sale this fall. All the new photos have been added to the gallery below. Enjoy.

[Source: Honda]

Gallery: 2008 Honda Civic MUGEN Si

Eye Candy: Honda releases more pics of the Civic Mugen Si originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda Civic MUGEN Si on sale this fall

Alex Nunez — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 09:34:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Honda

Click image for photo gallery

Ahhh, Autumn. We love it so. The leaves change, football is in full swing, the air gets brisk, and Honda comes clean with a MUGEN for us Yanks. That's right, kids: Americans will finally be able to buy a Mugen-prepared Honda Civic this fall. Following up on the Honda Civic MUGEN Si show car that was displayed at SEMA last year, Honda has announced that the production version will go on sale in October. The Civic MUGEN Si is powered by the same 197-horsepower four-cylinder as the standard-issue Si, but the MUGEN is the beneficiary of a track-tuned suspension, lighter wheels, and a new sport exhaust. It also gets the requisite aero kit with an updated grille, skirting and new spoilers fore and aft. Inside, look for a new shift knob and a plaque. Only 1,000 Civic MUGEN Si sedans will be built for the 2008 model year (sorry, no coupes), and all will be finished in the Fiji Blue Pearl you see here. Full pricing details weren't announced, but Honda did say that the car will go for less than $30,000. Until enthusiasts here in the States are offered a Type R, this is gonna be the Civic to have. Sure, it's no Civic MUGEN RR, but it's a start.

[Source: Honda]

Gallery: 2008 Honda Civic MUGEN Si

Continue reading Honda Civic MUGEN Si on sale this fall

Honda Civic MUGEN Si on sale this fall originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Jul 2007 09:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Edmunds' verdict on six sport compacts

Scott Davis — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 19:15:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Budget, Performance, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Honda, Mazda, Mini, Subaru, Volkswagen

To be a contender in the sport compact category, there are a few things you must bring to the table. There at least three or four that immediately come to mind; small, sporty, inexpensive and relatively practical. They should also clearly stand out from their more pedestrian versions.

Our friends at Edmunds gathered a group of six of the hottest sport compacts available in the US today and put them through their paces to determine the best of the best. The six contenders for the title are (in no specific order) the 2006 Honda Civic Si, 2006 MINI Cooper S, 2007 Mazdaspeed3, 2006 Volkswagen GTI, 2006 Chevy Cobalt SS and the 2006 Subaru WRX TR.

Who won? Check out the finishing order after the jump and follow this link to read the entire article.

[Source: Inside Line]

Continue reading Edmunds' verdict on six sport compacts

Edmunds' verdict on six sport compacts originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Dec 2006 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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V-Dub may pimp der own autos

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: SEMA Show, Budget, Performance, Hatchback, Volkswagen

When Volkswagen lampooned the slow and show crowd during the marketing of their new GTI, they took a much-needed swing at the purveyors and consumers of the automotive detritus that makes up most of SEMA. When VW showed up with two of their own tweaked vehicles in Vegas, we couldn't help but imagine the manufacturers of the super-battle-tsunami-ninja-aero body kit scowling at the VW booth right before hocking a loogie onto the hood of the "Thunder Bunny."

Volkswagen's decision to participate in SEMA served a dual purpose -- they could not only gauge interest in offering factory-backed performance accessories, but they're also looking into producing specialized versions of their most popular models.

The aforementioned "Thunder Bunny" is one of the more intriguing production considerations, not only because of the performance, but because it would directly compete with the GTI. Neuspeed developed a turbocharger system for the 'Bunny that produces 225 HP, from the 2.5-liter inline-five and when equipped with the Bilstein coilovers and Brembo brakes is an instant competitor in the sport compact arena.

V-dub's philosophy with tuning seems to be right on par with most potential buyers of the MazdaSpeed3 or Civic Si, namely offering class-leading performance, with a minimum of fanfare. As an example, one VW exec said 17-inch wheels would be chosen over 19- or 20-inch rollers, as the latter compromises handling and drivability. Those kinds of thoughts finding a voice are exactly what we like to hear and we look forward to results.

[Source: Automotive News -Sub. Req.]

V-Dub may pimp der own autos originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Nov 2006 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2007 Honda Civic Si Sedan

Alex Nunez — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Honda

As much as we like the Civic Si in coupe form, Honda just hit a tape-measure shot with the newly-unveiled Civic Si Sedan that was first previewed as a concept at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this year. We're so pleased, that we almost forgive them for witholding the Civic 5-Door and 3-Door from the US market. Almost -- but that's a gripe for another day.

The Civic Sedan is a better looking car than the coupe, so it's not surprising that the Si treatment looks great here. The transformation is very straightforward. Take one Civic sedan, add the Si mechanicals, interior, and visual cues, and voila! -- you now have a high-revving sport sedan that carries four in comfort.

If you're concerned that the sedan's added weight will make it less enjoyable fret not: it only weighs 60 lbs more than the coupe. Winding the Si's 197-hp 2.0-liter i-VTEC up to its 8,000 rpm redline through the 6-speed manual should be as fun as ever. Factor in the snazzy looks and the more practical bodystyle and ladies and gents, we have a winner.

(Pics, Press release after the jump)

[Source: Honda}

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2007 Honda Civic Si Sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Sep 2006 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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