HONDA CIVIC SI
That's when Honda's "intelligent" electronic valve-control system (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control, or VTEC) took a breath and gave a turbolike boost right to the 8,000 redline.
Oh, yeah, there's something very right about this car.
And the top-line test car is ridiculously priced at $23,895, which includes, really, everything, such as a navigation system, performance tires, full safety suite, and the government's top five-star rating for front crash protection and four stars for front-side and five stars for the rear. Pricing for the Si sedan without navigation and sport tires begins at $21,945.
The sedan was a new addition to the Civic Si line for 2007. It's light, tight and tasteful in its 17-inch alloy wheels, low-profile rear spoiler wing, aero cladding and front and rear Si emblems. The interior is set off by deeply bolstered seats, red fabric stitching, red backlit gauges and leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob.
The exhaust note is pleasing to hear, the interior well-soundproofed, driver controls close at hand and the second-row floor is flat, when most have a big hump for the exhaust.
Grab a gear, jump into the throttle, dive into a corner and the car tracks without a whimper. And my, does the engine come alive between 6,000 and 8,000 rpm, but it's no slug in the lower revs.
What's not to like? If you can't shift gears, it may be disappointing that the only transmission is a six-speed manual. You'll use all of those gears frequently, but there's enough engine pull to stay in second, third and fourth in traffic. It's a close ratio box, and I stumbled a few times between third and fifth, but it would just take enjoyable time to master the hand-foot coordination.
Honda will dial up the Civic Si's performance in mid-October with the Civic MUGEN Si sedan, which will be a limited-edition model of 1,000 units for the United States. The MUGEN Si has a lowered ride height, more aggressive suspension, 18-inch wheels and high-performance tires, full aerodynamic treatment of a front spoiler with a sports grille, side spoilers, a rear-bumper diffuser and a rear wing and high-flow exhaust. Pricing is expected to start at about $30,000.
Mark Maynard is driving in cyberspace at mark.maynard@uniontrib.com
Visit Copley News Service at www.copleynews.com.
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2008 Honda Civic Si
With high-performance tires, satellite radio and navigation system
Body style: subcompact, five-passenger sedan
Engine: 197-horsepower, 2.0-liter DOHC, 16-valve i-VTEC four-cylinder
Transmission: six-speed manual (only)
Acceleration: 0 to 60 mph, 6.3 seconds, Motor Trend
EPA fuel economy estimates: 21 mpg city, 29 highway
FEATURES
Standard equipment includes: remote locking, one-touch power moonroof with tilt, 17-inch alloy wheels and performance tires, rear spoiler, navigation system, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, seven-speaker (350-watt) CD audio system with subwoofer, digital audio card reader and MP3 input jack, steering-wheel audio controls, air conditioning with filter, driver's seat height adjustment, 60/40 split folding rear seat, front-center console with armrest, power windows and locks, tilt and telescopic steering column, visor vanity mirrors, front and rear overhead lights, cruise control, floor mats, maintenance minder system
Safety equipment includes: dual-stage front and side air bags, side-curtain air bags, vehicle stability assist, anti-lock brakes, active front head restraints, security system and immobilizer, limited slip differential, four-wheel disc brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, electronic power-assisted steering
PRICING
Base: $23,895, including $635 freight charge
Options on test car: none
The competition: Nissan Sentra Spec V, Mazdaspeed 3, Dodge Caliber SRT4, Subaru WRX
Where assembled: Alliston, Ontario, Canada
PLUSES: All of Honda's sensible safety and function in a performance package.
MINUSES: No choice of automatic.
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