Could The US-Only 2022 Honda Civic Si Be PH’s Modern Day SiR?

The 2022 Honda Civic Si has just been unveiled in the United States, and the Japanese automaker claims it’s the most capable Civic Si yet.

For this model year, the all-new Civic Si continues to be powered by a modified version of the standard model’s 1.5-liter VTEC Turbo gasoline engine, which, ironically, produces five less horsepower at 200. Torque remains unchanged at 260 Nm of torque.

With these numbers, Honda says that what matters more is its better power delivery. Peak torque now comes in at 300 rpm lower than before, now at 1,800 rpm. This should provide better acceleration compared to the previous model. Honda also gave it a new flywheel design that’s 26 percent lighter than the previous Civic Si. This results in a better throttle response. The engine also sounds better according to Honda, thanks to a dual-coil silencer exhaust that increases gas flow by 27 percent.

Mated to the 1.5-liter VTEC Turbo engine is a new 6-speed manual transmission that not only offers 10 percent shorter shift throws, but also now comes with the same rev-matching system from the Civic Type R. The rev-matching feature also responds in 430 ms in Sport mode, which makes downshifts smoother than before.

Handling all that power is a limited-slip differential, bigger brakes, and the most rigid structure yet in a Honda Civic. The new body has 8 percent more torsional rigidity and 13 percent more bending rigidity. The rear track is also 12.7 mm wider for better stability, while the 35.5 mm longer wheelbase should improve the ride. The suspension, which consists of MacPherson struts up front and multi-link at the rear, gets thicker stabilizer bars and stiffer springs compared to the standard Civic for better handling. The front and rear compliance bushings, upper arms, and lower B-arms have been sourced from the Civic Type R for improved stability. Lastly, the steering has a 60 percent stiffer torsion bar for an improved feel.

As for the 2022 Honda Civic Si’s styling, it remains largely similar to the standard Civic’s. Honda did give it a new black mesh grille, black 18-inch five twin-spoke wheels, and the obligatory Si badging around the vehicle. Topping it all of is a black lip spoiler for an even sportier look.

The interior of the 2022 Honda Civic Si also echoes that of the standard Civic’s, though the Japanese automaker added a number of red accents, aluminum pedals, and sport seats with fixed headrests and more aggressive side bolstering. A 7-inch partly-digital instrument cluster comes as standard, along with a wireless charger, 9-inch touch screen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Bose sound system.

The Honda Civic Si was never offered outside of North America, so its chances of arriving in the Philippines are practically impossible. Still, based on its powertrain and performance enhancements at an affordable price, we do think that this new model would be a worthy successor to the Civic SiR of the 1990s.