Honda unveils ‘best-handling, most fun-to-drive’ Civic Si ever

MANILA: Honda has recently unveiled the 2022 Civic Si, which is considered as “the best-handling, best-equipped, and most fun-to-drive Civic Si ever.” The all-new Civic Si is based on the all-new 11^th-generation Civic sedan.

It is said to establish a new standard for sport compact sedans, with better dynamic performance and an upgraded manual transmission that now features the rev-matching system from the Civic Type R.

In a statement, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Executive Vice President for National Operations Dave Gardner said, “The Civic Si is a performance icon that has offered affordable high performance for four decades and the new Honda Civic Si continues that legacy. It isn’t just a blast to drive, it’s hands down the best Civic Si we’ve ever offered to our customers.”

The Civic is Honda’s longest-running automobile nameplate, with more than 12 million units sold in the United States since 1973. It has been America’s third best-selling passenger car for the past 48 years. First introduced in 1986, the Civic Si has been manufactured in North America for almost two decades, and the 2022 Civic Si continues the heritage, produced in Ontario, Canada using local and globally sourced parts, with its turbocharged engine made exclusively at Anna, Ohio engine plant.

On the inside, the car is equipped with new Si-specific sport seats with embroidered Si logos and red contrast stitching. It is the first Civic Si to get a large nine-inch HD color touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and a Bose Centerpoint 2 premium sound system.

Just like the rest of the 11^th-generation Civic lineup, the Civic Si also comes with a wide range of innovative active and passive safety systems, including the latest generation of Honda’s proprietary Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, cutting-edge driver and front passenger airbags designed to reduce the risk of traumatic brain and neck injuries, rear seat side airbags, and an updated Honda Sensing suite of active safety and driver-assistive technologies.

The 2022 Civic Si is powered by a new VTEC 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates a maximum power output of 200hp and a peak torque of 192lb-ft. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission that features an improved shift feel and 10% shorter throws. A new, more solid shift lever mounting bracket and a new leather-wrapped aluminum shift knob identical to the Civic Type R’s contribute to the improved feel.

The latest iteration is also the first Civic Si to have a rev-matching system from the Civic Type R. With the same 430 m/s response time as the Civic Type R in Sport mode, the system will “blip” the throttle when it detects a downshift, swiftly and perfect matching revs.

The Civic Si also comes with a new dual-coil silencer exhaust system that boosts exhaust flow by 27% over the Civic Touring, improving engine sound. It also uses an enhanced Active Sound Control system that can provide high-quality sound over a wider range of rpm to match the engine’s natural exhaust note inside the cabin.

The new single-mass flywheel is 26% lighter than the previous Si’s dual-mass unit. The flywheel’s 30% reduction in inertia improves drivability while also giving the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine a snappier throttle response for an even sportier driving experience. To maximize available traction when accelerating, power is distributed to the front wheels through a standard helical limited-slip differential.

The total result of these upgrades is a far richer and more engaging driving experience, which is further enhanced by significant dynamics improvements.

The latest iteration is also the most rigid Civic Si ever, with an 8% increase in torsional rigidity and a 13% increase in bending rigidity compared to the previous-generation model. It is also designed with a 0.5-inch wider rear track for improved stability and a 1.4-inch longer wheelbase for a smoother ride. The Civic Si’s 107.7-inch wheelbase is the longest in its class.

In comparison to the Civic sedan, spring rates are 8% stiffer in the front and 54% stiffer in the rear to maximize handling and driver enjoyment. New dampers have also been custom-tuned for the Si. The front MacPherson struts feature strengthened upper mounts to handle the increased cornering loads, and thicker front and rear stabilizer bars than the Civic sedan to reduce body roll.

The front compliance bushings are 79% firmer than the Civic EX sedan’s. The Civic Si also has stiffer rear compliance bushings, upper arms, and lower B-arms which are sourced from Civic Type R. To improve steering feel, the car is equipped with a 60% stiffer torsion bar that connects the steering shaft to the steering rack pinion gear.

The brakes on the Civic Si are larger than those on the standard Civic sedan. The car comes standard with oversized 12.3-inch front rotors, 11.1-inch rear rotors, and 235/40 R18 all-season performance tiles. Summer tires will be available as a factory option for drivers seeking optimum performance.

The Civic Si’s new Drive Mode system includes Individual mode, which allows the driver to individually select engine response, steering effort, and instrument panel display color parameters for a more personalized driving experience. It also includes Sport mode, which increases throttle response, reduces steering assist, disables the idle stop system, allows the driver to choose rev match on or off, and switches the instrument accent lighting from white to red.

The Civic Si features sporty design elements that add attitude to the sport sedan and functional aerodynamic aids that help improve its performance. The upper front bumper of the Si has been redesigned to look more aggressive while the rear bumper has been reshaped to reveal two large oval exhaust tips.

The front spoiler hidden under the vehicle and the gloss back spoiler installed atop the trunk link add downforce from improved high-speed stability. The exterior mirrors and window surrounds are similarly finished in gloss black. The Civic Si also comes standard with LED headlights and taillights.

The sedan is equipped with 18-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels with Si-specific matte black finish. It is also available in a Si-exclusive Blazing Orange Pearl paint color.

Another notable highlight on the new Civic Si is the driver-centric cabin that features new Si-exclusive body stabilizing sport seats with built-in head restraints and more prominent shoulder and lower thigh side supports. The lower cushion has been raised by 0.5 inch at the front to improve thigh support and prevent fatigue on long drives.

The Civic Si also comes with sport pedals and is designed with red contrast stitching on the doors, steering wheel, center arm rest, shift boot, and shift knob. High-end materials are used throughout the cabin, particularly on touchpoints, with specific attention made to ensuring that all switchgear and controls provide a premium action feel. The Civic’s iconic metal honeycomb dash panel is wrapped in Si-specific. It does not only look aesthetic, but it also hides to air vents for a clean, uncluttered look.

As the most technologically advanced Civic Si ever, the car also comes with a new seven-inch instrument display with a digital tachometer on the left, a multi-information display in the center, and a physical speedometer dial.

Outward visibility is improved by the pulled-back A-pillars, low hood, flat dashboard, low cowl, and door-mounted outside mirrors, all of which are shared with the rest of the Civic lineup.

The Civic Si’s new driver airbag features a unique donut-shaped structure to cradle and hold the head to reduce rotation. To achieve a similar result, the front passenger airbag uses has a three-chamber design, with two outer chambers designed to cradle and control head rotation.

Just like all the other Civic models, the Si features an ACE body structure for improved compatibility with larger vehicles. This includes a new upper A-pillar structure, side frame, and lower firewall structure, which are all engineered to distribute crash energy around the cabin and improve occupant protection in angled frontal collisions. The side impact protection has also been improved, with sturdier structures in the roof, side sill and B-pillar, doors, and rear wheel arch and C-pillar.

The Civic Si also features the new Honda Sensing which uses a new single-camera system that provides a wider field of view than the previous radar-and camera system. With software advances and a new, more powerful processor, the system can identify pedestrians, bikers, and other vehicles, as well as road lines and traffic signs, more quickly and accurately.

Honda’s commitment to improving pedestrian safety continues with a redesigned front bumper beam safety plate that reduces the chances of leg injuries, and a hood with an embossed inner structure that improves pedestrian head protection.

Photos from Honda

Also read: Honda PH releases upgraded PM2.5+ cabin air filter