The high-revving Honda Civic Si ranks among the great automobiles in history for enthusiasts on a budget. Today’s car maintains its fine balance of simplicity and fun, but as more competitors appear boasting similar capabilities and more power, something more is needed.
The car hopefully will get that something more in 2011 when the 2012 model arrives. Judging from these spy photos, not much has changed in the style department—the wedge-shaped body still looks like it’s waiting to be crammed behind the 12-foot tire of a Caterpillar quarry hauler to keep it from rolling when parked on a hill. As with the current Civic Si, this prototype rolls on big wheels and low-profile tires, sporting a pair of bolstered bucket seats up front, and wears a chrome exhaust tip out back. Unlike the current Civic Si coupe, however, the decklid of this car has an integrated lip spoiler instead of a stand-up, coat-rack-style wing (which we know the aftermarket will supply, anyway).
Honda is irritatingly tight-lipped about future products, but if rumors are true, the base Civic motor for 2012 will grow from 1.8 liters to something closer in size to the 2.0-liter four-pot that powers the current Civic Si (albeit in a more efficiency-oriented state of tune). Now that nearly every car in the Si’s segment is turbocharged, it is possible that the Si could see its first (factory) turbo engine in 2011. If that happens, we foresee at least 240 hp for the 2012 Civic Si, and some big, wide grins on our faces.
Thanks to: Car and Driver