Honda Civic Si Concept Offers Sneak Preview of Upcoming Best-Selling Compact

But the Civic Si Concept, that will show up as the Civic Si Coupe when it debuts as a 2006 production model, has been designed to

A production version of the Civic Si Coupe would fare much better against its sport compact rivals. (Photo: Honda Canada)

compete in a different market segment, one filled with hot-hatches, powerful 4-doors, stylish 5-doors and custom coupes.

The outgoing SiR, powered by a 160-horsepower 2.0-litre four, has struggled against models such as the 160-horsepower Mazda3 GT and Sport GT, 162-horsepower Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliarts, 165-horsepower Subaru Imprezas, 170-horsepower MINI Cooper S, 170-horsepower Ford Focus SVTs, 170-horsepower Toyota Corolla XRSs, 175-horsepower Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V, 180 and 200-horsepower Volkswagen GTIs, 205-horsepower Saturn ION Quad Coupe Red Lines, and 230-horsepower Dodge SRT-4s, etc, etc, but a production version of the Civic Si Coupe would fare much better.

What does it have that the SiR doesn't? Other than the obvious styling improvements, the new concept features a much more

Honda's next generation of "intelligent" i-VTEC engine technology results in 200-horsepower. (Photo: Honda Canada)

competitive powertrain. Honda's next generation of "intelligent" i-VTEC engine technology results in 200-horsepower, easily enough to mix it up with rival sport models. The engine gets 16-valves and dual-overhead cams, of course, plus an 8,000 rpm red line, true to its Honda heritage.

It's mated to a close ratio 6-speed manual transmission, offering one more cog than the majority of its competitors. Power goes to the front wheels via a helical-type limited slip differential, enhancing traction off the line as well as performance through the corners.