2006-2007 Honda Civic Si

Pros :
- Finally gets a decently strong powerplant.
- The best handling Si ever.
- High-tech dashboard design.
- Subtle exterior performance upgrades.
- Good fuel economy for a performance car.

Cons :
- Confused front end styling.
- Bulbous new-generation profile.
- Needs massive revs to reach peak power.
- Pathetic torque as usual.
- Dashboard design may put off minimalists.

Interior :

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Press Coverage :
The Honda Civic is the cornerstone of Honda and its automotive heritage, earning recognition and acclaim as an icon in the automotive industry since its introduction in 1973. The Civic represents the first high volume production automobile that showcased Honda's spirit of innovation to a North American audience ready for something new.
As the Civic has been re-invented throughout its previous seven generations, each new model has consistently set new standards in the automotive industry with its innovative packaging, attractive styling, high fuel economy, low emissions, fun-to-drive performance, reliability and safety. The pioneering eighth generation 2006 model amplifies the defining character of the Civic with a long list of Honda technology and engineering innovations, resulting in a vehicle that is pure Honda, exclusively Civic and outside the boundaries of traditional small car thinking.
The Honda Civic Si showcases the high-performance potential of the Civic platform to the highest degree. The Civic Si can carve through twisty roads like a sports car, sprint from 0-60 quickly and still provide the everyday practicality of a Civic with its legendary quality, refinement and durability. Bottom line, the 2006 Civic Si is the best handling, best performing Civic to ever touch tire to asphalt in America.
High revving power, quick shifting precision and tenacious grip describe the Civic Si powertrain. The 16-valve 2.0-liter engine uses Honda's i-VTEC "intelligent" valve control system that combines Variable Timing Control (VTC) to continuously adjust camshaft phase with Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) that adjusts valve lift, timing and duration. Combining these two systems results in impressive horsepower and high torque with good fuel economy and low exhaust emissions. The Civic Si utilizes VTEC and VTC for both intake and exhaust valve control to produce 197 horsepower (11) at 7800 rpm and 139 lb-ft. of torque (11) at 6200 rpm. The air intake system and the exhaust system are tuned to provide a deep sound and resonance, adding a level of performance feedback more commonly found on racecars. Further refinement is found in the drive-by-wire throttle body for smooth acceleration response and a chain driven balancer unit in the oil pan minimizes engine vibration.
The Civic Si is available exclusively with a 6-speed manual transmission. Designed to be exceptionally compact and lightweight, this 6-speed has also been engineered to shift with extremely short and precise throws. A final drive ratio of 4.76:1 promotes aggressive acceleration while a tall 6th gear provides for relaxed highway cruising. The short-throw clutch has an innovative torsion mechanism that considerably reduces noise. Multiple synchronizers are utilized, and 5th and 6th gears feature single carbon synchronizers for a direct shift feel.
The helical type limited slip differential (LSD) in the Civic Si improves acceleration and cornering performance by insuring that both front wheels receive an optimum level of torque at all times. In a straight line, both wheels are better utilized to put the engine's power to the ground with minimal wheel spin. During hard cornering, the LSD transmits more torque toward the outside wheel to bias more power to the tire with the most grip and facilitates the outside wheel's longer travel distance relative to the inner wheel. Primary benefits include the ability to accelerate harder exiting corners and enhances the vehicle's responsiveness to throttle inputs in corners.
As the performance leader for the lineup, the Civic Si conveys an aggressive attitude that speaks to the performance potential underneath. The steeply raked windshield creates a 21.9-degree angle that is even sleeker than the 23.9 degree rake in the Acura NSX supercar. The long trunk deck, with its frontward sloping bumper, accents the forward motion conveyed by the overall vehicle shape. A trapezoidal lower body with short front and rear overhangs further convey a powerful stance.
The Civic is built on an all-new version of Honda's Global Compact Platform. The solid unit body of the Civic was designed from the outset to define a new standard for torsional and bending rigidity in the compact segment. The new Global Compact Platform implements advanced body construction technologies for enhanced safety, better rigidity, improved ride comfort and a quieter cabin. With 50 percent total high strength steel content and advanced new structural engineering, torsional rigidity increases by 35 percent.
The all-new MacPherson strut front suspension design incorporates new geometry with a high caster angle for straight line stability along with improved toe-control dynamics for sharp and responsive steering. Changes to steering angles, bushings, material rigidity, and spring and shock tuning result in amazingly linear suspension movement at the upper limit of vehicle dynamics and flatter cornering.
The all-new multi-link double wishbone rear suspension design benefits from a new design that facilitates a longer damper stroke and improved positioning of the damper itself. The additional rebound stroke allows the vehicle to soak up bumps and harsh road surfaces with quietness and ease. The damper is mounted closer to the wheel for a more favorable 1.1:1 lever ratio (the relationship between the suspension movement and the distance that the damper actually travels). The previous relationship was 1.7:1. The more direct relationship means the forces acting on the shock do not become magnified and the intended tuning provides maximum benefit throughout a wider range of suspension travel.
The steering systems feature quick gear ratios for sharp and sporty transitions. Previously a high-mounted steering gearbox, the new steering system is now located lower in the vehicle to improve suspension geometry for a more direct feel and quick response. The Civic Si features a sport-oriented speed sensitive Electric Power Steering (EPS) that increases power assist at low speeds and reduces power assist at high speeds. All models have a tilt and telescope steering wheel. Larger wheels and tires contribute to the Civic's improvement in ride and handling. The Civic Si uses Michelin's all-season Pilot HX MXM4 tire in size P215/45 R17 (also available is a new Pilot Exalto high performance summer version as a factory option) and 17x7 inch alloy wheels. A dealer installed 18-inch tire and wheel package is available.
All Civics are equipped with a new 4-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). Disc brakes are used on the front and rear wheels on Si and EX models; rear drum brakes are used on Hybrid, LX and DX models. The 4-channel ABS with EBD independently modulates braking power at each wheel, as opposed to the more common 3-channel system that modulates the front wheels independently and the rear wheels with equal braking force. Electronic Brake Distribution proportions brake power to the rear wheels based on vehicle weight distribution. The new 4-channel capability allows the rear wheels to react independently while cornering, representing a significant enhancement to the ABS system's ability to influence vehicle stability and safety. Further additions to the braking system include a new ABS control module (that applies the new 4-channel features) and a brake booster that improves pedal feel.
High-tech and futuristic just begin to describe the Civic's new interior at the core of its design. Honda stylists and engineers prioritized sophistication to create a high-quality, advanced and sporty space with the latest technology, loads of storage and innovative ergonomics. More standard features and new available features like a voice activated navigation system highlight the dedication to taking the interior to an entirely new level.
A two-tier instrument panel positions priority gauges like the speedometer up high in the driver's field of vision. The increased body width allows the seats to be wider and more supportive, and a spacious multi-functional center console accommodates up to 20 compact discs and performs armrest duties for both front occupants. Active front seat head restraints are used to help minimize the potential for whiplash injuries in a rear collision.
The latest generation of the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System is available on Si, Hybrid and EX models and features a 6.5-inch mechanical display that opens and closes for access to the internal single-disc CD player and a new digital audio card reader that can play MP3 and WMA files from CompactFlash(R) cards. The navigation system features more than 6 million points of interest and can control the audio system. The voice recognition is capable of recognizing and inputting numbers, street names and cities.
All audio systems are more powerful with as much as 350 watts and seven speakers including an 8-inch subwoofer on the Si. XM(R) Satellite Radio is standard on navigation-equipped coupe models.
The digital odometer readout also functions as a multi-information display that shows Maintenance Minder service related items based on vehicle usage. The Maintenance Minder system automatically indicates when to have standard service performed based on actual driving conditions (tracked by the ECU) and minimizes the guesswork related to whether the vehicle is being used in standard or severe use conditions for maintenance interval purposes. The display indicates when to change the oil, air cleaner, transmission fluid, spark plugs or coolant, as well as when to rotate the tires.
The Civic Si also features a rear wing spoiler, Si badging, amber inner headlight ring, sports grille, sport exhaust tip, deeply bolstered seats with premium seating surfaces, red illumination instrument panel meters, leather wrapped steering wheel, leather wrapped aluminum shift knob, aluminum sport pedals, and a rev-limit indicator light.
Honda USA

Lord, let more economy sports coupes be more like the Si. With its 197-hp 2.0-liter four singing a glorious song, a stubby shifter doing the six-speed hula, and the hustle and flow of the dear departed Prelude VTEC, this under-$20,000 steal is our favorite of the new lineup and probably the best Civic ever designed for enthusiasts.
The engine steals the show. The round resonance from its air intake eggs you on to the 8000-rpm redline and the tuned exhaust note feels expensive and ready for exercise. Though it's only got 139 lb-ft of torque it launches swiftly, thanks to six well-spaced gears.
Traction seems brilliant in limited driving. Big 17-inch wheels are standard, with 18-inchers available, and three-season sticky tires offered, too. A helical limited-slip diff sends torque from spinning wheel to tractive wheel. Heel-and-toe driving is simply done, there's little sense of body roll and the braking feel is right on - no spongy mush, no rock-hard ABS rattle.
If you're sensitive of rear end and ear, you'll note a little bit of a boomy ride thrumbling into the cockpit over the engine note. Too, the Si has the same electric power steering as in the Hybrid, but meatier tires make it feel better somehow.
Not only does Honda stuff the Si coupe with the happy-noises powertrain, it subtly reworks the cockpit into a flight simulator, changing its lighting to red and hooking in a rev indicator flanking the speedo, adding a big audio system with an iPod jack, suspension mount reinforcements for the aftermarket crowd, and fitting metallic pedals and trim into the cabin, along with grippy sport seats. A rear deck wing and cladding get strung about the outside.
The Car Connection

It might look radical, but the Civic’s interior layout is extremely functional. The gauges are split between a digital display located at the base of the windshield and a traditional cluster viewed through the steering wheel. In the digital display, which acts much like a heads-up system, vehicle speed, remaining fuel, and engine temperature are shown. In the lower binnacle there’s a huge tachometer flanked by dormant warning lights.
Available is the optional navigation system with voice control, which works easily enough but groups the stereo and navigation functions together. Plus, the buttons are small and sun glare has a detrimental effect on legibility. We prefer the standard knobs and buttons for the stereo, which work as simply as those for the heating and air conditioning.
Materials are tasteful and upscale for a small car, with plush fabric upholstery, a soft mesh headliner, and quality parts and panels with a refined look and feel.
AutoWeb

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History:
2002-2005 Honda Civic Si
1,998 cc / 160 hp / 132 lb-ft / 2744 lbs / 0-60 mph 7.6 sec.