New Engine: Still Sexy, Even Three Horses Down
Damn the SAE. The Society of Automotive Engineers has devised new standards that require horsepower testing with the power steering pump in use. Credit to Honda for agreeing to this voluntary standard, which will soon be the norm. But it's also caused the Si's new K20Z3 powerplant to come in at 197 hp, just shy of the sexy "200 hp" that the marketing and ad departments had probably hoped for.
Still, like the girl who falls three votes short of winning homecoming queen, 197 hp still promises a hell of a good time. The 11.0:1 compression ratio helps the engine make max power at 7800 rpm and its 139 lb-ft of torque arrives at 6200 rpm.
A move fraught with ricer...
A move fraught with ricer implications, engineers added a resonance chamber to the intake system to enhance and amplify the intake note. It works; the sound attaches itself to your adrenal glands.
Other changes surrounding the engine include a new mount system using upper and lower torque rods, a hydraulic body mount and front beam stopper. The intake system features a resonance chamber located along the fender well that amplifies the sound of VTEC engagement. It's a questionable move, slightly ricer in approach, but not obnoxious. Combined with a pleasing, softened "brap" from the exhaust, the car's respiratory system sounds healthy and hearty, more Kanye West than DMX.
By far Honda's biggest gamble, however, is the new drive-by-wire throttle. Instead of a simple cable manipulating the throttle butterfly, a council of electronic governors determines the true intentions of your right foot. Honda seems committed to DBW, so get used to it. The lag between throttle input and power delivery is noticeable and annoying when you're deep into a bout of "spirited driving."
You can smooth it out by dropping revs between shifts, which will work fine for city driving or cruising. But we're hoping aftermarket ECU tweakers like AEM and Hondata can help us ratchet up throttle sensitivity and eliminate the lag.
The badge is back, perhaps...
The badge is back, perhaps at its best ever.
So don't call it a comeback because the Si never left. We can't bust on the outgoing Si too much, given that its creators didn't equip it with the tools to succeed in life (incidentally, you can probably buy one cheap about now). The '06 Si comes stacked with DNA that reconnects us to a thrill not felt since 2000. There's not much more fun you can buy-everyday-for less than $20K (extra for navigation system). That's assuming, of course, that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
Bolts & Washers
2006 Honda Civic SiPropulsion
The new Si draws power from the newest K-series engine, the K20Z3. It puts down 197 hp at 7800 rpm and 139 lb-ft of torque at 6200 rpm. It features an 11.0:1 compression ratio, 86mm x 86mm bore/stroke, an 8000-rpm redline and a balance shaft mounted in the oil pan. It gets a 22/31 city/highway estimated gas mileage.
A six-speed manual transmission-the first 6MT offered on a North American Civic-and helical limited-slip transfer power to the ground. First- through fourth-gear ratios are nearly identical to those of the '99-2000 Civic Si.
Gear Ratios:
1: 3.267
2: 2.130
3: 1.517
4: 1.147
5: 0.921
6: 0.659
Final: 4.763
Rims & Rubber
Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 215/45R-17 tires wrap around 17x7-inch alloy wheels. Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 215/45R-17 summer tires are optional, as is a forthcoming 18-inch wheel/Yokohama tire package most likely offered through Honda's Factory Performance division.
Stance
Well, it's struts again, to the dismay of many Si purists. But don't trip. Honda engineers spent the last few years studying the EP3 design and radically improving it. There's a Control-Link MacPherson strut suspension up front with a 28mm sway bar and a Reactive-Link double-wishbone rear suspension with 17mm sway bar. Steering geometry is also noticeably improved and features a 13.62:1 steering ratio.
Resistance
Up front are 11.8-inch rotors and two-piston calipers, while 10.2-inch rotors and single-piston calipers handle the rear. Also included are nine-inch power booster, ABS and Electronic Brake Distribution.
Fashion
Outside: power moonroof, rear-wing spoiler
• wheelbase: 104.3 inches
• length: 174.8 inches
• height: 53.5 inches
• width: 68.9 inches
• track: 59 inches (front); 60.1 inches (rear)
• 2877-lb. curb weight
• 60/40 front/rear weight distribution
Inside: front and side curtain airbags (standard), power windows and door locks, cruise control; leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum leather-wrapped shift knob
• headroom: 37.8 inches (front); 34.7 inches (rear)
• legroom: 42.6 inches (front); 30.3 inches (rear)
• cargo volume: 11.5 cu. ft.
• passenger volume: 83.0 cu. ft.
I.C.E.
The Si comes with decent bump, thanks to a 350-watt, seven-speaker system that includes an 8-inch subwoofer. Other features: AM/FM/XM-ready head unit with MP3/Windows Media playback capability; MP3/auxiliary input jack; optional navigation; XM satellite radio (w/navi option); digital audio card reader (w/navi option).