2017 Honda Civic Si and Type R - Boosting the 10th Gen Civic to the Next Level

The New Civic Now Offers Both Sporty & Epic Performance Options

The two most anticipated enthusiast trim levels for the 10th Gen Civic, the Si and Type R, have finally arrived, and they do not disappoint! The 2017 Civic Si is faster than any previous U.S. Civic before it, and the 2017 Civic Type R offers the best performance out of any U.S. Honda vehicle ever produced. Enthusiasts like ourselves are extremely pleased with the options Honda now has on the table for this 10th Civic. Essentially, there are three different performance trim level tiers to choose from: The 1.5T non-Si, the 1.5T Si, and the 2.0T Type R. In our opinion, each option gives you a fantastic bang for your buck in terms of driving dynamics, technology integration, and overall quality. Of course, if you have the money to drop on a Civic Type R, you'll be rewarded with just about the best performance possible on a front wheel drive (FWD) vehicle. In fact, to back this up, the Type R currently holds the FWD Nurburgring lap time record of 7 minutes 43.80 seconds.

First, let's talk about the new Si. Powering the 2017 Civic Si is a high-performance, high-torque 1.5-liter, direct-injected and turbocharged DOHC in-line 4-cylinder engine with dual variable cam timing (dual VTC). Mated to a short-throw, 6-speed manual transmission, the powertrain provides a dynamic driving experience with a much broader power band and significantly increased torque output compared to the previous Si. Peak output of 205 horsepower arrives 1,300 RPM lower in the rev range (5,700 vs. 7,000 RPM) and peak torque of 192 lb-ft (+18 lb-ft) is produced 2,300 RPM earlier (2,100 vs. 4,400 RPM) and sustained over 70 percent of the engine's rev range. So, although on paper this new Si appears to be only as powerful as the previous generation one at 205 hp, when you actually drive the 2017 Si you'll immediately notice that it feels faster (and is).

The 2017 Civic Si is offered in Coupe and Sedan variants, and both are significantly lighter than the previous generation models: the Civic Si Sedan curb weight, at 2,906 pounds, is down 96 pounds from the previous model, while the Si Coupe, at 2,889 pounds, is 113 pounds lighter than before. Both models feature a more rigid body and upgraded chassis components, including a dual-pinion adaptive electric power steering system with variable ratios, sport-tuned suspension featuring a two-mode adaptive damper system, a helical limited-slip differential, larger 12.3-inch front brake rotors (+0.5 inches) and wider 235/40 R18 tires with an available summer tire option. In addition to adaptive dampers, suspension upgrades include stiffer spring rates, more rigid stabilizer bars, solid front and rear compliance bushings, and ultra-rigid upper control arms - the rears being shared with the track-ready Civic Type R. Wheel track for the new Si Sedan and Coupe has increased 1.2 inches at the front and 0.3 inches at the rear, offering improved stability, a lower center of gravity and improved cornering performance. All of these chassis / suspension features really help to make the new Civic Si quite a formidable weapon on the race track.

Speaking of suspension, the Civic Si Coupe and Sedan offer two dynamic driving modes: Normal and Sport. The default Normal Mode offers more comfort-oriented dynamics while the Sport Mode adjusts the suspension damping characteristics plus steering and throttle response for a more taut and direct driving experience. From our driving experience with the Si, we can tell you that the suspension is quite sporty from the factory, even in Normal mode, but also reacts very well to bad road conditions.

Now, onto the Type R...the 2017 Civic Type R is the FIRST Honda branded Type R vehicle ever offered in the United States, and it definitely lives up to the huge expectations we had for it. The all-new Civic Type R is the second generation of Type R to feature turbocharged power and shares significant elements of its engine design with the 9th-generation Civic Type R sold overseas. Its 306-horsepower 2.0-liter DOHC direct-injected VTEC® turbo powerplant, is the most powerful production Honda automobile engine made in America (surpassed only by the Acura NSX twin turbocharged 90-degree V6). The vehicle is manufactured exclusively in Honda's Swindon, UK plant alongside the standard hatchback model on which it is based.

The Type R puts the power down through a short-throw 6-speed manual transmission with helical limited slip differential hooked up to 245/30ZR20 Continental SportContact 6 high-performance tires on 20x8.5-inch black-finished aluminum wheels. Speed is scrubbed by 13.8-inch cross-drilled rotors clamped by 4-piston Brembo aluminum calipers in front and 12.0-inch rotors with single-piston calipers in the rear. The Type R chassis features a dual-axis strut front suspension and multi-link rear, front and rear anti-roll bars, Type-R exclusive springs, bushings and damper mountings and a newly designed Adaptive Damper System with the ability to continuously adjust damping force at all four corners using input from three on-board G sensors, four suspension stroke sensors and a steering angle sensor.

The Civic Type R's Adaptive Damper System, along with the dual-pinion variable-ratio electric power steering, drive-by-wire throttle, and brake system, are tied to the Type R's three selectable driving modes, with COMFORT, SPORT and +R settings, allowing the driver to dial up the Type R's reflexes depending on the driving environment. The throttle ECU also features driver-selectable automatic rev matching with two profiles, one for COMFORT and SPORT modes and one for +R mode, to assist drivers in making smooth downshifts without the need for heel & toe downshifting. With all of these advanced chassis / suspension features and plenty of power on tap, the 2017 Civic Type R offers exhiliarting performance yet is still very usable as a daily driver.

Both the new Civic Si and Type R also benefit from the fundamental redesign of the 10th-generation Civic body and chassis, which set its sights on luxury-class European C-segment cars with respect to steering, handling, ride quality and high-speed stability. Improvements to the breed include a 38 percent more rigid body, a new multi-link rear suspension, improved aerodynamics for the best balance of aerodynamic drag and lift, and a sports chassis fine-tuned on the circuits of Suzuka, Takasu and Nurburgring. The result is the ultimate in Civic performance, the very best that Honda can produce in a front-wheel-drive performance car.

So, in conclusion, with the release of the Si and Type R models, Honda has made this 10th Generation Civic the best one yet for enthusiasts. Don't just take our word for it though; ask your local Honda dealer for a test drive! In our opinion, the new Civic is definitely by far the best one yet made by Honda.

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