Sports Car International
Bargain Brawl!
Civic Si vs. Impreza RS
A Si of Releif,
Honda is no stanger to pint-sized kicks. Back in the late 1980's, its Si editions of the Civic and CRX made great sense. By applying the proven GTI formula (Bigger Engine, Stiffer Suspention, Better Tires, Sporty Trim) to their entry-level econoboxes, Honda creates a series of little cars that were far more fun to drive than they had any right to be. The Si range kept getting better and better as VTEC, Honda's novel variable valve timming device, entered the picture in the early '90's. But Americans were forbidden from experiencing the full 100-hp-per-liter rush of Japanese and Euro-Spec Honda powerplans until a 1.6-liter 160-HP DOHC VTEC engine was introduced for '94 in the ugly-duckling Del Sol. Despite being blessed with this high-revving jewel of an engine, the Del Sol never captured the heart of Honda lovers like the CRX had. When it was discontinued at the end of '97, the 160-hp powerplants died with it.
In the meantime, the Civic Coupe was slowly becoming the car of choice for a new generation of hot-rodding American youth. With the list of aftermerket sippliers growing to the size of a small-town phonebook, it did not take long for Honda to realize that there was probably a market for a more powerful Civic that could be had straight from the factory. And it does not take a degree in product planning to figure out what Honda did next. With the ex-Del Sol 160-HP VTEC still being installed in Ohio-built factory. They made a few modifications and shipped them out across the nation.
This was just a short exerpt from the August and September issue of Sports Car International. If you liked it please buy it.
By the way. The Civic Si won. =)
The page was created and updated by [email protected].
07.29.99