2012 Honda Civic Si adds power and features
Honda has added more power and features to its Civic Si which should make fans of this popular rice rocket head for the showroom.
In order to keep the performance small car market competition at bay, Honda has crammed a new 2.4-liter engine that produces 201 horsepower and 170 lb-ft. torque under the Civic Si's hood. The new motor is connected to a sport-oriented six-speed manual transmission that sends power to a helical-type limited-slip differential (LSD). The LSD helps the Civic Si accelerate when exiting corners as both wheels can deliver more equal torque distribution to the road compared to a conventional open-type differential.
"The Civic Si represents the sporty flagship of the Civic series," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "The broadened torque band of the 2012 model increases its appeal as a daily driver while adding a new dimension of mid-range performance."
Constructed of lightweight aluminum, the 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder engine features a valvetrain system that incorporates dual overhead camshafts (DOHC) and four valves per cylinder (16 valves total). A performance version of Honda’s i-VTEC system pairs Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC®) with Variable Timing Control™ (VTC™). The Civic Si i-VTEC system allows for the production of both low-rpm torque and high-rpm horsepower, which can be a distinct benefit compared to conventional engine designs with fixed valve timing. A high-volume intake manifold and a high-flow, low-backpressure exhaust system elevates the sporty demeanor and aggressive sound of the Civic Si. Dual balance shafts provide exceptional smoothness for a 4-cylinder engine.
The 20-percent-larger engine displacement over last year contributes to peak power production at 7000 rpm instead of the previous engine’s 7800 rpm peak. The increased displacement also contributes to a substantial 22-percent increase in peak torque, now occurring at 4400 rpm, a substantial 1700 rpm lower than the previous engine’s 6100 rpm. This should result in stronger and more immediate acceleration.
Honda claims the EPA-estimated city/highway/combined fuel economy rating of 22/31/25 miles per gallon is 1 mpg higher in the city and 2 mpg higher on the highway compared to the 2011 model. The Civic Si engine also meets stringent Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV-2) tailpipe emissions standards.
Thankfully, a 6-speed manual with a short-throw shifter is the only transmission available. Compact and lightweight, the transmission provides firm and direct shift action. The Civic Si also has a lightweight, high-capacity clutch utilizing a pedal assembly optimized for both low-effort actuation and a broad, smooth engagement band.
The drive train rides on a front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link suspension. A more rigid unit-body structure results from enhanced structural designs and increased use of high-strength steel. Front and rear spring rates are increased, sport-tuned damper settings are used front and rear, and Civic Si models have a 0.4-inch lower ride height. Front and rear stabilizer bars are larger, measuring 18 mm in the front and 15 mm in the rear. The Civic Si Coupe and Civic Si Sedan have a 17.7:1 steering ratio, identical to the other 2012 Civic models. The Civic Si has 4-wheel disc brakes with11.8-inch vented front rotors (up from 10.3 inches on all other Civic models) and 10.2-inch solid rear rotors.
In keeping with the performance image, the Civic Sedan's windshield has a sleeker rake, a sweeping roofline and a new interpretation of what Honda's calls its "one-motion" profile. The Civic Coupe with its shorter length and unique front and rear styling result in a more aggressive image. Both vehicles feature a low and wide stance, thinner A-pillars stretch further toward the front of the vehicle than before to improve visibility and the perception of interior space. The C-pillars also stretch further toward the rear of the vehicle compared to the previous generation to better complete the flowing one-motion appearance. 
The cockpit features firmly bolstered front sport seats and a special Civic Si interior color scheme with red ambient interior lighting. The front seats increase lateral support with firmer side bolsters compared to the other models. As with other Civic models, both of the Civic Si front seats manually recline, and the driver’s seat features a manual height adjustment control. Both Civic Si models likewise offer versatile 60/40 split fold-down rear seatbacks, which allow multiple configurations for passenger seating and cargo storage. A rear-seat center armrest with two beverage holders is included on the Civic Si.
A Civic Si exclusive, the two-tier instrument panel has red-backlit instrumentation. The new Sequential Rev-limit Indicator is located to the left of the speedometer display close to the driver’s line of sight, and also includes an i-VTEC indicator. The i-VTEC indicator illuminates when the VTEC system shifts from low to high-rpm cam profiles, and the rev-limit indicator’s array of six lights illuminate sequentially as engine speed rises. The first four lights are orange, and the last two are red. The engine is producing maximum power when the second of the two red lights illuminates. The second red light indicates that the maximum rpm of the engine has been reached. An additional feature within the i-MID is the Power Monitor screen, which displays a graphic of the engine and its power output as a percentage ranging between 0 and 100 percent. An instant fuel-mileage indicator also lets drivers keep tabs on fuel economy on a real-time basis.
All 2012 Civics are covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile new car limited warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile power train limited warranty, and a 5-year/unlimited-mile corrosion limited warranty.
No word on price for the Si package but the Civic Hybrid, reasonable equipped, will cost around $26,750 which about what you would expect the Si to cost.
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