The Honda Civic Si Prototype Debuts

Civic Si Prototype (Credit: © Honda)

While the Type R is the biggest draw for the 10th-gen Civic lineup, the Si is a close second. We’ve already seen the production-ready prototype of the Type R, and recently, Honda unveiled an equally production-ready Si prototype.

The Civic Si prototype made its debut at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show, leaving many with their jaws on the floor. Imagine a slightly toned-down Type R in a coupe body style, and you have the Civic Si.

Like the Type R, the Civic Si prototype boasts an aggressive body kit with splitters up front and on the rear, side sills, an exclusive rear bumper with a center-exit exhaust hanging out, and an aggressive rear spoiler. Also setting off the Si prototype is a gloss-black grille with the red “Si” logo and matte-black 19-inch wheels wrapped in 235/35R19 Y-rated rubber.

Civic Si Prototype (Credit: © Honda)

Inside, the Si prototype is again very much ready for production. It boasts bolstered sports seats with red contrast stitching and red Si logos, a leather shift boot with red stitching, a red driver’s TFT meter and audio system illumination, aluminum sport pedals, and dry metal carbon instrument panel trim.

Under its hood, the Civic Si will carry a tweaked version of the 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that see’s use in higher-trim non-Si Civic. While this engine’s power is unknown at this point, Honda is calling this the most powerful Civic Si ever, meaning it will be well over the 200-horsepower mark. My assumption is it’ll fall somewhere between 225 and 250 horsepower and 210 to 240 pound-feet of torque. All Civic Sis will come with a six-speed manual transmission with a short shifter.

Civic Si Prototype (Credit: © Honda)

As for handling, this sport compact will come with active steering and dampers, and a limited-slip differential. As an option, buyers can toss in higher-performance tires.

While all Honda showed was a coupe version of the Si, there will be a sedan version when it debuts in 2017.

Stay tuned for additional details on the 2017 Civic Si.