The Civic Si Concept, which made its world debut at the Chicago Motor Show this weekend, provides a strong indication of the styling and performance direction for an all-new production Civic Si Coupe scheduled to debut later this year.

The production Civic Si Coupe will serve as the performance leader for a completely redesigned 2006 model Civic lineup that will feature more emotional styling, added performance and the latest generation of “intelligent” i-VTEC engine technology.  The 2006 Civic lineup, launching later this year, will include a 4-door Sedan, a 2-door Coupe and Si Coupe, an even more fuel efficient Civic Hybrid and a natural-gas powered Civic GX.

The Civic Si Concept celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Civic Si legacy in the U.S. and builds on its performance heritage with a 200-horsepower, 16-valve, DOHC i-VTEC engine with an 8,000 rpm red line, mated to a close ratio 6-speed manual transmission.  Helping to put all that power to the ground is a helical-type limited slip differential for improved launch traction and cornering performance.

Other performance features of the Civic Si Concept include 18-inch cast aluminium wheels, 225/40R18 high performance tyres and 4-wheel disc brakes with large cross-drilled brake rotors and 4-piston Brembo calipers.

“The 2006 Civic Si Coupe will be the most powerful, fastest and fun-to-drive Si we’ve ever put on the street, and the Civic Si Concept sets the direction in terms of its styling, package and performance,” said John Mendel, senior vice president of American Honda. “It’s part of a new family of Civic vehicles that build on the already class-leading values of the Civic in terms of safety, styling, performance and fuel efficiency.”

Designed as an “Advanced Personal Compact,” the Civic Si Concept incorporates a sweeping roofline and ultra-fast windshield rake that highlights the vehicle’s advanced one-motion profile, low and wide stance, and superior aerodynamic performance. The long boot lid, with its frontward sloping bumper, accents the forward motion conveyed by the overall vehicle shape.  Wheel openings have been optimized to minimize the gap between the tyre and the body.  Special aerodynamic features include a full front and side aero kit, rear spoiler and a lower rear bumper diffuser with an integrated centre exhaust system.

The 2006 Civic Si Coupe will be the sixth generation Si, which first appeared as a three-door hatchback in 1986 with subsequent Civic Si models appearing in 1989, 1992, 1999 and 2002.   The production Si will make its world debut at the 2005 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in November. The Civic Si Concept was designed at Honda R&D America’s Los Angeles design centre.