What is a Honda Si?

You know about the Mercedes-AMG partnership and the BMW M models both groups are made to give us massive horsepower in a car that already has amazing performance parts.  This ideal is to give you the most active and engaged driving experience at the top of the lineup for each of the models carrying this badge.  Does anyone else do this with their cars?  Actually nearly every automaker has some program like this but you might not recognize the Honda Si as such a program. 

Rather than a full focus on horsepower the Si models from Honda have a focus on smooth engines that rev high offer sharp and active gearing and amazing driving dynamics.  The Si badge has been around for nearly thirty years in the US and first arrived on the CRX, Prelude and Civic.  Si for Honda simply means sport injection which is just another way of saying direct injection.  The reason for using this term has roots at the beginning of the run.  The Si cars from the mid-1980s still used carburetors and getting more power could only be done be adding direct injection to the cars to gain a bit more of an advantage.

Here are a few of the models that have made us fall in love with the Si badge over the years:

1985 Prelude Si

As one of the originals to come in with this added power the Prelude was an already loved car that many enjoyed driving.  Even though the style was nothing to brag about adding the fuel injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood of this car took things to a new level of fun from behind the wheel.

1986 Civic Si Hatchback

The Civic started sales in the US in 1985 but did not get the Si added to it until 1986.  Since that time dealers couldn’t keep a Si in stock as we bought them up by the droves on a car that was dynamic, turned into a sporty model and gave us the ride we wanted.  Many of these have been seen as great tuner cars as well.

1986 CRX Si

With a 1.5-liter fuel injected four-cylinder engine and a five speed transmission this sporty hatchback was the car that many young drivers wanted.  It was plenty quick, sport styled and inexpensive enough for many on a minimum wage salary to be able to afford the payments or to safe up for a used one during the heyday of this great little car.

1988 CRX Si

This began the second generation of the car which brought in a smoother style and more elegant look that was somewhat fluid.  This also marked and update to the engine to a 1.6-liter four-cylinder model that brought the horsepower up to 105 from 91.  This car still came with a five-speed manual transmission to handle the gearing.  Knowing this car was a sport model Honda added a stiffer set of dampers and front and rear anti roll bars to the car.

1988 Prelude Si

This car was also redesigned in 1988 and brought in a more powerful 2.0-liter engine to bring it to 135 horsepower and 127 lb.-ft. of torque.  This was the first edition of the four-wheel steering which allowed the rear wheels to steer with or against the front wheels to help ensure overall stability of the car.

1992 Civic Si Hatchback

This was the first time we saw a rounded body for the Civic as it was redesigned for this year.  This rounded look brought the car to a more modern overall look.  With fuel-injection as a standard part of the lineup the Si didn’t have much of a way to stand out except for the fact that the engine for the Si was tuned to offer better torque at higher engine speeds giving the car a longer range of power.

1993 Civic del Sol Si

By this time the CRX was gone to be seen never again.  This left a gap for a two-seat near roadster style car which was what the de Sol came to be.  The Si version was made immediately to ensure there would be the VTEC engine and a bump in power and performance that was synonymous with the Civic.

1993 Prelude Si 4WS

Another redesign year brought in a Prelude Si that used a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine which made 160 horsepower and 156 lb.-ft. of torque.  This model still offered the four wheel steering (4WS) to continue to be one of our favorites on the road.

2000 Civic Si Coupe

For several years the Civic became an afterthought and did not have the Si badge at all, but in 2000 Honda chose to add it back to the car in the coupe form.  The power was increased for the car along with stiffer springs, dampers, anti-roll bars and larger front brake rotors.  The Civic Si was back.

2003 Civic Si Hatchback

The intrigue for this model was the fact that the Si Hatchback did not come with a non-Si model as well.  If you wanted a Civic hatchback for this year it had to be a Si model.

2007 Civic Si Sedan

This year marked the first ever sedan to carry the Si badge while the Coupe returned to glory with the Si a year earlier after confusion in 2003 of the hatchback only Si.  This performance sedan gave owners a chance to have a car that really could handle the family tasks as well as give you some fun from behind the wheel.

2008 Civic Si Sedan Mugen Edition

The longtime tuner Mugen helped create a Civic Si sedan that was sporty and highly attractive with a gorgeous front splitter and a rear wing.  Along with the body upgrades this car gained 18-inch GP wheels, an upgrade suspension, a free-flowing exhaust and of course a bit more power from under the hood.

2014 Civic Si Sedan

Even though another version was offered in 2012 it was bland by far.  Now the 2014 model is gorgeous and offers what you want from your Civic which has been a sport car for generations.  Well-styled and perfect for a growing family or for anyone who just wants a fun car to drive this is what the Si has turned into; I’m sure glad it came to the States.