Review: Honda FK2 Civic Si (2009-11)

Overview

Released in April 2009, the Honda FK2 Civic Si was a small, five-door hatchback. Manufactured in Swindon, UK, the front-wheel drive Civic Si was powered by a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine that was mated to either a five-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. Please note that the FD1/FD2 Civic sedan has been reviewed separately.

R18A1 engine: VTEC and VTC

The 1.8-litre R18A1 engine had a single overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder, a dual stage intake manifold, compression ratio of 10.5:1, a computer-controlled ‘drive by wire’ throttle system which reduced pumping losses and Honda’s i-VTEC system which consisted of:

• Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) which could select from two camshaft profiles for low and high RPM operations; and,
• Continuously variable timing of camshaft phasing on the intake camshaft (Variable Timing Control or VTC).

Suspension and dimensions

Like the FN2 Civic Type R , the FK2 Civic Si was based on the European Civic platform. As such, the Civic Si had MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle rather than the double wishbone configuration of the FD1/FD2 Civic sedan . The FK2 Civic Si was 4270 mm long, 1765 mm wide, 1460 mm tall and had a 2635 mm long wheelbase.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Civic Si included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelt pretensioners.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , the Civic hatchback – sold in Australia as the Civic Si – received a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 32.3 out of 37. In the frontal offset test, the driver’s airbag was not sufficiently well inflated to prevent the driver’s head from contact the steering wheel. The Civic’s results were subsequently recalculated under Euro NCAP’s updated rating regime – the Civic was awarded a five star safety rating which included a 79 per cent adult occupant protection rating and a 76 per cent child occupant protection rating.

Features: Civic Si

Standard features for the Civic Si included 17-inch alloy wheels, six speaker sound system with CD player and MP3-compatibity, dual zone climate control air conditioning, leather seats, heated front seats, cruise control, reverse parking sensors, front fog lamps, automatic headlights, chilled glovebox, remote central locking, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, power windows and mirrors, a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable driver’s seat, rear 12 volt power outlet, trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser.

November 2010: Civic Si update

In November 2010, the Civic Si underwent a price-cut and subtle facelift (including a mesh grille). As part of the price-cut, leather seats and heated front seats were discontinued as standard features; Bluetooth connectivity, however, was made standard across the range.

Brochure

• Brochure: Honda FK2 Civic Si (March 2011)

Related links

• Specifications: Honda FK2 Civic Si (2011)
• Honda News: Honda Adds More Value To The Civic Hatch (March 2011)
• Wikipedia.org: Honda FK2 Civic Si