Sure, the 2012 Honda Civic Si is equipped with a 2.4L i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine that pumps out 201 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque; and sure it has a close-ratio, 6-speed manual transmission; and it even has a helical limited-slip differential; but I just wasn't feeling it.
I decided to take a co-worker's '08 Honda Civic Si sedan for a spin to see if I was really starting to lose it and was maybe just having a bad week or something.
Unfortunately, I wasn't. His car felt sporty, it felt raw and it felt powerful. Even though the engine is smaller (2.0L) and the horsepower is less (197 hp) as is the torque (139 lb-ft), it felt faster and more powerful. True, the 2012 version had more grunt in 6th, but other than that I would have taken the '08 over the 2012 any day based on its badass, raw attitude alone.
From the outside, the 2012 Honda Civic Si shows its softness immediately. Since it's unveiling, the new Civic has had nothing much harsh criticism come its way – and for good reason. Honda's not thinking outside the box like it used to. They're sitting back on a product they know will sell no matter what, and it shows – even in the design. Sure, it looks a bit more modern, a little bit “new” even, but it's so close to the previous generation you'd be hard-pressed to recognize it as a 2012.
I would often ask people: “Do you know the 2012 Civic is on the road already?” And 99% of them would respond: “Oh really? I haven't seen one yet.” Oh, I'm quite sure you have, unknowingly.
Perhaps my dislike for the 2012 Honda Civic Si had something to do with the distracting interior. While some might marvel at the futuristic layout of the gauge cluster, I found it all a bit much. The 3D decal surrounding the digital speedometer threw me off, and the Mazda-esque information screen beside it seemed a bit redundant (why not put that information in the centre stack screen?). What really got me though was the i-VTEC light indicator.
Sitting to the left of the digital speedometer, the i-VTEC indicator remains dark and sleepy until you push your 2012 Honda Civic Si's revs well past 5,500 and really punch it. Once you do, a nice little line of orange dots will appear and a big red one will also alight to tell you it's time to shift.
Well thank you Honda for telling me how to drive my Civic Si.
I decided to take a co-worker's '08 Honda Civic Si sedan for a spin to see if I was really starting to lose it and was maybe just having a bad week or something.
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| The 2012 Honda Civic Si is equipped with a 2.4L i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine that pumps out 201 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |
Unfortunately, I wasn't. His car felt sporty, it felt raw and it felt powerful. Even though the engine is smaller (2.0L) and the horsepower is less (197 hp) as is the torque (139 lb-ft), it felt faster and more powerful. True, the 2012 version had more grunt in 6th, but other than that I would have taken the '08 over the 2012 any day based on its badass, raw attitude alone.
From the outside, the 2012 Honda Civic Si shows its softness immediately. Since it's unveiling, the new Civic has had nothing much harsh criticism come its way – and for good reason. Honda's not thinking outside the box like it used to. They're sitting back on a product they know will sell no matter what, and it shows – even in the design. Sure, it looks a bit more modern, a little bit “new” even, but it's so close to the previous generation you'd be hard-pressed to recognize it as a 2012.
I would often ask people: “Do you know the 2012 Civic is on the road already?” And 99% of them would respond: “Oh really? I haven't seen one yet.” Oh, I'm quite sure you have, unknowingly.
Perhaps my dislike for the 2012 Honda Civic Si had something to do with the distracting interior. While some might marvel at the futuristic layout of the gauge cluster, I found it all a bit much. The 3D decal surrounding the digital speedometer threw me off, and the Mazda-esque information screen beside it seemed a bit redundant (why not put that information in the centre stack screen?). What really got me though was the i-VTEC light indicator.
Sitting to the left of the digital speedometer, the i-VTEC indicator remains dark and sleepy until you push your 2012 Honda Civic Si's revs well past 5,500 and really punch it. Once you do, a nice little line of orange dots will appear and a big red one will also alight to tell you it's time to shift.
Well thank you Honda for telling me how to drive my Civic Si.
 |
| The 3D decal surrounding the digital speedometer threw me off, and the Mazda-esque information screen beside it seemed a bit redundant. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |