A new Civic Si on the horizon

[Thaddy]

http://vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=628560

A quick teaser:

The name MUGEN symbolizes Honda performance throughout Asia and around the globe. MUGEN, under license by M-TEC Co., Ltd., of Japan, has been closely associated with Honda for decades in the design and manufacture of racing and premium performance components. The Civic MUGEN Si Sedan draws inspiration from a "Formula Sport" concept, adding an aggressive dimension of performance to the Civic Si Sedan with a track-tuned suspension, aerodynamic body styling and a performance exhaust system. The track tuned suspension, tested at the Twin Ring Motegi racing circuit in Japan, lowers the vehicle by 0.6 inches (15mm) with highly aggressive spring and damper tuning for enhanced handling performance. The full-vehicle aero-package adds a front spoiler and sports grille, side spoilers, a rear diffuser and a rear wing. The lightweight MUGEN forged alloy wheels measure 18x7.5 inches and are shod with high grip 215/40R18 summer tires. The sports exhaust system reduces back pressure from the catalytic converter back resulting in an enhanced power curve. Additional accoutrements include front and rear MUGEN emblems along with a serial number placard on the instrument panel. A spherical 50 mm MUGEN aluminum shift knob replaces the standard aluminum and perforated leather shift knob. Planned for production in a limited quantity of 500 units a year, the Civic MUGEN Si will be available at U.S. Honda dealers starting in spring 2007 with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of less than $30,000 and includes a full factory warranty.

[ArizonaWRX]

Don't know don't care. A car that is .6 lowered and has some side skits for 30,000? It should be a hit with Honda kids, but I'll take my Impreza WRX still. Independent sport suspension, AWD, turbo charged, for thousands less? Vs. a stock (powerful, but still) 4 cyl.? NO contest

WRX FTW.

Keep walking, nothing to see here.

[Thaddy]

From what I've seen, Japan's version might be supercharged...

[Red06wrx]

FWD still sucks.

[DTR rex]

Considering how well the current Si already handles, I am sure this thing will attack the tracks.

Over-priced IMO, but should be a neat car nonetheless.

[Integra96]

Wait, you're saying it's going to have an aluminum shift knob? No facking way.

[Thaddy]

Wait, you're saying it's going to have an aluminum shift knob? No facking way.

Way.








Oh yeah, don't forget it's not just any aluminum shift knob...it's spherical.

[06grayrex]

Looks nice.....After trading in my Civic SI on my 06 wrx, I still would prefer a wrx hands down even though Honda's quality and reputation are top notch. AWD, Turbo FTW.......

[cavallino333]

30K


Thats more than I paid for the Z.

[rr1911]

All We'll Drive

a honda is still a ricer no matter what you do to it and 30k

[DTR rex]

a honda is still a ricer no matter what you do to it

Tell that to the stock civic si which looks less flashy than a wrx as he beats the wrx around a track.

Or tell that to the s2000, a sport car icon that produces handling and balance to offset any logical assumption of it being "rice.

[ArizonaWRX]

Tell that to the stock civic si which looks less flashy than a wrx as he beats the wrx around a track.

Or tell that to the s2000, a sport car icon that produces handling and balance to offset any logical assumption of it being "rice.

first off, happy halloween everyone!

Second, WHAT/ Are you kidding me?

TehWRX can outhandle a civic SI, is faster in both 0-60 and 1/4 mile times, and has great everyday handling and can tackle all conditions, including rain and snow for cheaper. If you are just giving respect to Honda, (which they deserve) or like Hondas is cool, but are you kidding me? I would take my 06 WRX which is cheaper, over ANY civic SI anyday. ( I think that while the civic Si is great and has a stong following as well, most of the general public would make the same choice, WRX>SI.) Sport suspension, AWD, low center of gravity with the flat four, and boost! PLUS Subaru's dependability and response to mods? NO contest WRX for the win. (FTW for those keeping score at home.)

No one really calls the s2000 'rice' that I know of, but for $35,000? I'll take a striped down base EVO or STI over that literally 100 times of 100. Both Evo and STI will literally run circles and outgun that Miata upgrade ANYDAY.
Don't get me wrong, the s2000 is a really nice car, and is more than capable, and it definitely has a target audience, but in terms of specs and handling, sure it can rev really high, but I would take an EVO or STI over that two seater Miata prince anyday.

[rr1911]

TehWRX can outhandle a civic SI, is faster in both 0-60 and 1/4 mile times, and has great everyday handling and can tackle all conditions, including rain and snow for cheaper. If you are just giving respect to Honda, (which they deserve) or like Hondas is cool, but are you kidding me? I would take my 06 WRX which is cheaper, over ANY civic SI anyday. ( I think that while the civic Si is great and has a stong following as well, most of the general public would make the same choice, WRX>SI.) Sport suspension, AWD, low center of gravity with the flat four, and boost! PLUS Subaru's dependability and response to mods? NO contest WRX for the win. (FTW for those keeping score at home.)

No one really calls the s2000 'rice' that I know of, but for $35,000? I'll take a striped down base EVO or STI over that literally 100 times of 100. Both Evo and STI will literally run circles and outgun that Miata upgrade ANYDAY.
Don't get me wrong, the s2000 is a really nice car, and is more than capable, and it definitely has a target audience, but in terms of specs and handling, sure it can rev really high, but I would take an EVO or STI over that two seater Miata prince anyday.

+ alot
come on now.... 30k for a civic
ok i give props to the s2k but 35k + vs an evo or STi come on now what are you smoking ?

[rr1911]

S2K would of sold alot more and been alot better if it was a higher class honda (an acura)

[Skunkers]

A few notes: They're saying the price will be *under* $30K which could be some where around $25K or what have you.

The improved handling and MUGEN tuning are what will really make this deal shine, imo. I hope there are some things that they left off of that feature list, especially in the power department. If indeed the only engine mod is a catback exhaust, I'm not too thrilled. There's a lot more MUGEN parts they should throw in there, CAI, decent headers, high-flow cat, ECU tuning, etc. Those could make a real big difference in power, given the K20's insane response to mods. Especially since I've seen fully built K20s that still easily pass emissions.

The best news about this, is not the car itself, or the mods/body kit/price, etc. It's the fact that they'll be offering a MUGEN-spec tune vehicle in the US for the first time. Which could open the door for a MUGEN S2000, NSX-successor, TSX, future Honda models, etc. Which would be awesome.