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Honda Civic SI History
Honda Civic-Si
As one of the most popular cars on the market, the Honda Civic has enjoyed success for several reasons - value, quality, reliability and content are all at the top of the class for this compact model. But, there is another reason too - the Si model, offered in sedan and coupe - gives the Civic an added boost, in both power and prestige.
Honda has offered various sport versions of the Civic for years as it has been proven to be the perfect model for young buyers who want to combine performance with affordability. In 1984, the first official Si was introduced in both Japan and the United States, a car that featured a 1.5L I4 engine producing just 91 horsepower. Still, the peppy little engine moved the Civic Si from zero to sixty in under nine seconds, which meant that the Honda left most of its similar sized competitors eating its dust.
But it was subsequent models which proved that Honda was really listening to its customers who wanted more power to go with sporty styling. Not content to be satisfied with high performance tires, alloy wheels, monochrome paint, sport seats and a standard sunroof with their three door hatchbacks alone, buyers asked for on got more powerful engine choices including an optional HO 1.6L I4 engine, producing 158 horsepower with the second generation edition, released for the 1988 model year. Paired with a five-speed manual transmission, Si owners were able to shave nearly two full seconds off of their zero to sixty times.
Over time, the Civic Si adopted other body styles including a two door coupe before reverting to a three door hatchback. Today, customers can choose between a two door coupe and four door sedan, buying their Si equipped with its most powerful engine yet - a 2.0L I4 motor paired with a six-speed manual transmission. Producing 197 horsepower, the Honda Civic Si befits its "pocket rocket" moniker, jetting occupants from zero to sixty in just 6.7 seconds.
Other than its performance and well designed package, the Honda Civic Si is prized for another reason - customization. Yes, Civic owners are not satisfied with just what comes out of the factory. Indeed, making their Civic closer to the JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) model is the goal of some people who want to sidestep EPA and other restrictions. NX nitrous kit, hood pins, door sills, sway and tie bars, body kits and a host of other aftermarket parts can help you make your Civic Si your own.
New Civic Si models are priced from the low 20s, but older models including those built in the early 1990s are also popular even with many miles on the odometer. Those cars can be had for around $3000 and with a couple hundreds dollars in aftermarket upgrades can still turn heads and smack down the competition. And when it comes to customization, the Si leads the pack - a fun to drive ride definitely worth making into your own.
As one of the most popular cars on the market, the Honda Civic has enjoyed success for several reasons - value, quality, reliability and content are all at the top of the class for this compact model. But, there is another reason too - the Si model, offered in sedan and coupe - gives the Civic an added boost, in both power and prestige.
Honda has offered various sport versions of the Civic for years as it has been proven to be the perfect model for young buyers who want to combine performance with affordability. In 1984, the first official Si was introduced in both Japan and the United States, a car that featured a 1.5L I4 engine producing just 91 horsepower. Still, the peppy little engine moved the Civic Si from zero to sixty in under nine seconds, which meant that the Honda left most of its similar sized competitors eating its dust.
But it was subsequent models which proved that Honda was really listening to its customers who wanted more power to go with sporty styling. Not content to be satisfied with high performance tires, alloy wheels, monochrome paint, sport seats and a standard sunroof with their three door hatchbacks alone, buyers asked for on got more powerful engine choices including an optional HO 1.6L I4 engine, producing 158 horsepower with the second generation edition, released for the 1988 model year. Paired with a five-speed manual transmission, Si owners were able to shave nearly two full seconds off of their zero to sixty times.
Over time, the Civic Si adopted other body styles including a two door coupe before reverting to a three door hatchback. Today, customers can choose between a two door coupe and four door sedan, buying their Si equipped with its most powerful engine yet - a 2.0L I4 motor paired with a six-speed manual transmission. Producing 197 horsepower, the Honda Civic Si befits its "pocket rocket" moniker, jetting occupants from zero to sixty in just 6.7 seconds.
Other than its performance and well designed package, the Honda Civic Si is prized for another reason - customization. Yes, Civic owners are not satisfied with just what comes out of the factory. Indeed, making their Civic closer to the JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) model is the goal of some people who want to sidestep EPA and other restrictions. NX nitrous kit, hood pins, door sills, sway and tie bars, body kits and a host of other aftermarket parts can help you make your Civic Si your own.
New Civic Si models are priced from the low 20s, but older models including those built in the early 1990s are also popular even with many miles on the odometer. Those cars can be had for around $3000 and with a couple hundreds dollars in aftermarket upgrades can still turn heads and smack down the competition. And when it comes to customization, the Si leads the pack - a fun to drive ride definitely worth making into your own.
