First look: Honda reveals Civic coupe

HONDA chose February's Chicago Auto Show to unveil its Civic Si concept, which previews an all-new 2006 Civic Si Coupe that will be the performance leader of a redesigned Civic model range next year.

Replacements for Australia’s current Civic five-door hatch and four-door sedan derivatives – including a more efficient Civic Hybrid - will appear in 2006, however, the new Civic coupe is likely to remain a US-only proposition.

Designed at Honda R&D America's Los Angeles design centre, the Si concept is a precursor to the sixth-generation Civic Si Coupe (which first appeared as a three-door hatchback in 1986 with subsequent Civic Si models appearing in 1989, 1992, 1999 and 2002) that will debut at the 2005 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in November.

Previewing the production car’s potent performance, the Si concept is powered by a 150kW DOHC i-VTEC engine with an 8000rpm redline, mated to a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission and helical-type limited slip differential.

The concept also features 18-inch cast-aluminium wheels and cross-drilled brake discs with four-piston Brembo callipers.

"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.