More seems to be going on as the tach needle moves clockwise to the engine's 7,100-rpm redline, but it's all very uneventful. Thankfully, the shifter and trio of pedals are as easy to manipulate as ever. The old heel-and-toe is effortless to perform and the shifter travels from one cog to another without as much as a catch or niggle. Rowing through the gears is so rewarding that I found myself swapping through 3, 4 and 5 'cause it was just plain fun.
The only Si around for this occasion was the coupe. From the available pictures on the web, the sedan looks to be better sorted and more together aesthetically than the coupe, much like the 8th generation. The Si coupe differs from lesser 2-door Civics by the presence of a trick flow-through trunklid-mounted spoiler, a rear sport bumper, unique alloy wheels and deeper fog light-adorned front fascia.
The cabin is accentuated by a leather-wrapped, Si-badged steering wheel, Si-specific seats and an interesting yet pointless i-VTEC rev indicator. Essentially, it poses as shift lights, located left of the digital speedometer, programmed to go from an amber shade to red when the time comes to slot into the next gear.
On the topic of gear changes, the 6-speed 'box has revised 5th and 6th ratios. In order to offset the 2.4L's increased fuel consumption, the final two gears now make the engine spin at lower speeds.
The aforementioned seats offer plenty of contouring support, designed exactly for time attack and solo events. Comfort levels are good as well.
Honda made efforts to counter noise and vibrations in the new Civic as well as in the Si. My telling you that the Si is now a smoother operator overall seems wrong, but this was Honda's goal and they've reached it. This will undoubtedly make the Si more attractive to an older crowd, looking for a high visual impact Civic with more oomph without the previously associated NVH.
And that pretty much sums up the new Civic Si. It has retained its highly entertaining driveability, but has done away with parts of the Si's real character. Yes, the new Si is posher. It now comes with standard navigation, XM satellite radio and auto on/off headlights.
If what other manufacturers have done to their cars (I'm thinking WRX amongst others) is any indication of what is to come, the new Si's share of Civic sales will most likely increase. My only wish, should this be the case and with the extra money, is that Honda bring us a hardcore SiR or Si Type R by the 2014 MY.
2012 Civic Si pricing starts at $25,990.
The only Si around for this occasion was the coupe. From the available pictures on the web, the sedan looks to be better sorted and more together aesthetically than the coupe, much like the 8th generation. The Si coupe differs from lesser 2-door Civics by the presence of a trick flow-through trunklid-mounted spoiler, a rear sport bumper, unique alloy wheels and deeper fog light-adorned front fascia.
The cabin is accentuated by a leather-wrapped, Si-badged steering wheel, Si-specific seats and an interesting yet pointless i-VTEC rev indicator. Essentially, it poses as shift lights, located left of the digital speedometer, programmed to go from an amber shade to red when the time comes to slot into the next gear.
On the topic of gear changes, the 6-speed 'box has revised 5th and 6th ratios. In order to offset the 2.4L's increased fuel consumption, the final two gears now make the engine spin at lower speeds.
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| The cabin is accentuated by a leather-wrapped, Si-badged steering wheel, Si-specific seats and an interesting yet pointless i-VTEC rev indicator. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |
The aforementioned seats offer plenty of contouring support, designed exactly for time attack and solo events. Comfort levels are good as well.
Honda made efforts to counter noise and vibrations in the new Civic as well as in the Si. My telling you that the Si is now a smoother operator overall seems wrong, but this was Honda's goal and they've reached it. This will undoubtedly make the Si more attractive to an older crowd, looking for a high visual impact Civic with more oomph without the previously associated NVH.
And that pretty much sums up the new Civic Si. It has retained its highly entertaining driveability, but has done away with parts of the Si's real character. Yes, the new Si is posher. It now comes with standard navigation, XM satellite radio and auto on/off headlights.
If what other manufacturers have done to their cars (I'm thinking WRX amongst others) is any indication of what is to come, the new Si's share of Civic sales will most likely increase. My only wish, should this be the case and with the extra money, is that Honda bring us a hardcore SiR or Si Type R by the 2014 MY.
2012 Civic Si pricing starts at $25,990.
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