2006 Honda Civic Si Photo Gallery

Sometimes, even the great ones lose their way. Ernest Hemmingway, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Kurt Cobain – all talented, tormented pop culture figures who met untimely ends. Neither fame, nor fortune, nor fan adoration could save them from themselves. The same could be said of the Honda Civic Si, which has “died” on three separate occasions in its short 20-year lifespan, despite being among the most loved, cherished and revered nameplates in the history of Japanese automobiles. Honda, known more for technological innovation, environmental responsibility, and relentlessly reliable cars and – more recently – trucks, falters infrequently. But after the sweet Civic Si Coupe, the pinnacle of the Si dynasty, was cancelled after the 2000 model year, Honda followed up with a funky looking, English-built hatchback that had its shifter jutting out of the dashboard, rally-style. No, this stumble wasn’t a hip crusher like the Civic CRX/del Sol debacle of the early 1990s, but the shine came off the Si badge just the same. Now, for 2006, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Civic Si, Honda unleashes a completely redesigned version of its performance icon, based on a two-door coupe body style and sporting enough fun-to-drive hardware that it instantly becomes the new standard by which sport compact cars must be measured. For less than $20,000, the 2006 Honda Civic Si comes equipped with a 197-hp engine with a rev-limit warning light, six-speed manual transmission, helical limited-slip differential, 17-inch wheels and tires, stiffer suspension, bigger brakes, snugger seats, rear wing spoiler, and throaty sport-tuned exhaust.

Photo 2 -- Exterior Rear

To distinguish the 2006 Honda Civic Si from other Civic coupes, it gets a functional rear wing spoiler that cuts drag and reduces lift, a chrome-dipped oval exhaust tip, a red-lettered “Si” badge on the decklid, and a decal just forward of the rear wheel wells that reads “i-VTEC DOHC.”

Photo 3 -- Exterior Front

The 2006 Honda Civic Si receives subtle changes to announce its performance-tuned intent. The headlights get amber-colored trim, the lower air dam is reshaped to direct cool air to the brakes, and the wheels are an appealing twin-spoke design. Color choices include white, black, silver, and gray, plus two exclusive colors: Habanero Red Pearl and Fiji Blue Pearl. The only interior color is black.

Photo 4 -- Engine

Powered by Honda’s so-called K-Series engine, the 2006 Honda Civic Si has a 2.0-liter, DOHC, i-VTEC motor under the hood that makes 197 horsepower at 7,800 rpm and 139 lb.-ft. of torque at 6,200 rpm. Redline is 8,000 rpm, and a warning light flashes in the gauge cluster when that limit is approaching. Meeting LEV2-LEV emissions in the U.S., this engine is estimated to deliver 22 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. Premium fuel is required.

Photo 5 -- Gearshift

For the first time in North America, Honda installs a six-speed manual transmission in the 2006 Civic Si. Power flows to the front wheels, where, in tight turns, a helical limited-slip differential transmits torque to the outside wheel to decrease the tendency for the inside wheel to spin and break traction. An automatic transmission is not available on the 2006 Honda Civic Si.

Photo 6 -- Wheel

An electric drive-by-wire steering system, with improved response and more natural feel, guides the 2006 Honda Civic Si’s front wheels. Standard tires are P215/45R17 Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 all-season treads, with same-sized Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 performance tires available as an option. Keeping the 2006 Honda Civic Si glued to the ground is a MacPherson strut front and double wishbone rear suspension, fortified by a 28mm front and 17mm rear stabilizer bar, boosted spring rates, and less compliant dampers for a roll stiffness improvement of 30 percent. A capable four-wheel, vented-front, solid-rear, antilock disc braking system brings the Civic Si to a stop – thanks in part to front discs that are more than an inch larger than last year.

Photo 7 -- Front Seats

Inside the 2006 Honda Civic Si, new seats with stiff bolsters, special suede-like trim, sporty red stitching, and an “Si” logo embroidered onto the backrest do a terrific job of holding the driver in place during hard cornering. The driver’s seat features a manual height adjuster, and with the standard tilt and telescopic steering wheel, it’s easy to find a perfect driving position. Getting into the back seat from the passenger’s side is relatively easy, thanks to a tilt and slide front chair and a large door opening. But for larger adults, the Civic Si’s rear quarters should be used only for short distances.

Photo 8 -- Dashboard

It might look radical, but the 2006 Honda Civic Si’s interior layout is extremely functional. Gauges are split between a digital display located at the base of the windshield and a traditional cluster viewed through the steering wheel. In the digital display, which acts much like a heads-up system, vehicle speed, remaining fuel, and engine temperature are shown. A rev-limit indicator located here will flash when revs pass 7,400 rpm on the way to the engine’s 8,000 rpm redline.

Photo 9 -- Tachometer

Located front and center is a huge tachometer that blinks when the 2006 Honda Civic Si’s engine revs beyond 7,400 rpm and then goes solid red when the driver exceeds the 8,000 rpm redline. Warning lights for various vehicle functions are hidden in the darkened fields on either side of this single gauge – we wish Honda supplied a conventional analog speedometer, too.

Photo 10 -- Exterior Rear

The 2006 Honda Civic Si focuses as much on safety as it does performance. Standard equipment includes dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags; seat-mounted front side airbags; front and rear side curtain airbags; antilock brakes with independent electronic rear brake distribution; and active head restraints. Honda expects the 2006 Civic Si to receive five-star frontal crash-test ratings from NHTSA and a “Good” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the 40-mph offset crash test. Furthermore, Honda predicts that the Civic Si will get a ‘Good” rating from the IIHS for side-impact protection, with NHTSA assigning a four-star front occupant side-impact score and a five-star rear occupant side-impact score.

Photo 11 -- Exterior Front

Incredibly, Honda expects the starting price of the 2006 Civic Si to be less than $20,000 when the car goes on sale December 1, 2005. It comes fully equipped out of the box, but there are a handful of optional features available. Extra-cost items include the navigation system with XM satellite radio, the Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 performance tires, and any other dealer-installed items like 18-inch wheels and tires. Plus, as the featured car at the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) convention this November, you can bet on a wide variety of aftermarket parts to pimp this ride.