Is Honda Preparing to Bring Back the Civic-Based CRX?

The 2006 Civic will be the most powerful factory-built Civic ever, the ideal donor car for a modern-day CRX. (Photo: Honda Canada)

Its hardly news that top-tier Civics, such as the Si and future CRX will get the new 200-hp K20 four-cylinder engine, which may actually end up being rated at 197-hp due to new SAE regulations, but still it will be the most powerful factory-built Civic ever, so we can expect some seriously tweaked versions of the coupe, at least, to show up at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas this November.

Recent reports about the new Si engine have shown it will feature 16-valves and dual overhead camshafts, plus an upgraded i-VTEC variable valve timing system, which is actually variable lift electronic control with intelligence. Expect redline to hover around 8,000 rpm, which is not quite S2000 territory but still stratospheric compared to most competitors.

And what will Honda use to send its power down to the road? A new six-speed manual will make the most of the new Si engine, optimized by a helical limited-slip differential that will ensure more usable power gets to the tarmac.

But the Si and expected CRX won't be the only Civic models to experience a performance upgrade. All Civics will receive a boost in power, thanks to a new 1.8-litre four-cylinder that will also deliver a six-percent fuel consumption reduction. According to the Japanese automaker, the new 1.8 delivers the acceleration of a 2.0-litre powerplant while sipping away at petrol like a 1.5-litre mill, due in part to an enhanced i-VTEC system, variable-intake runners and drive-by-wire throttle control. Peak horsepower is said to be 140, while maximum torque is 128 lb-ft,

Sales among enthusiasts deteriorated since the loss of the CRX and especially the low-priced Civic hatchback model, shown here. (Photo: Honda Canada)

although a higher output version featuring somewhere in the neighbourhood of 155- to 160-horsepower could be on the way.

There's no denying that Honda has been successful with its Civic sedan and coupe models since dropping the entry-level hatchback, with the car being at the top of Canadian passenger car sales charts for years, but sales among enthusiasts deteriorated since the loss of the CRX and especially the low-priced hatchback model - the latter of which was previously the automaker's most popular model with tuners due to its sporty styling, overall light curb weight, and most important, low price point - and with that the Civic name has lost a little luster within the tuning crowd.