People, I simply bought again from driving a few new Honda Civics, the facelifted 2025 variations of the Si and Hatchback Hybrid. They had been each sensible little automobiles in their very own methods, however I do know what would make them even higher: combining the 2. What I want Honda to do is take a few actually nice automobiles and switch them right into a single wonderful one.
Each of those automobiles have just a few parts that the opposite one desperately wants, and due to that I’ve give you the right Civic in my thoughts: the Civic Si Hybrid Hatchback. It’s a superb thought, and Honda, should you’re studying this, please make it occur. I would be the first individual to purchase it, I promise.
The Motor: Civic Hatchback Hybrid
OK, so the very first thing we do is take the 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine and dual-motor hybrid setup from the Hybrid Hatchback. This little unit makes 200 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque, which is identical quantity of horsepower as the Civic Si’s turbocharged 1.5-liter motor however with a 40 lb-ft benefit. As a result of it’s a hybrid, that torque can also be accessible from 0 RPM. Which means the Hybrid is definitely a bit sooner than the Si regardless of its 300-pound weight drawback.
I additionally actually don’t assume there’s any motive to maintain a hybrid motor out of a Civic Si. It’s not prefer it has a high-revving naturally aspirated motor anymore. Nothing could be misplaced by including the extra highly effective motor to the Si. One other big advantage of this transfer could be tremendously improved gas financial system — not that the Si’s is unhealthy by any means, however the Civic Hybrid will get 50 mpg metropolis. That’s nothing to sneeze at.
The Transmission: Civic Si
No Honda Civic Si could be full and not using a slick handbook transmission, and that’s no completely different in my dream situation. Positive, Honda’s hybrid system doesn’t actually have a transmission (it’s extra of a generator with some kind of direct-drive techy nerd stuff), so some engineering must be executed to bolt a handbook transmission to the again of the powertrain, but when anybody can do it, Honda engineers can. In any case, handbook hybrids are nothing new for Honda. The unique Perception, the CR-Z and older Civic Hybrids had been all accessible with handbook transmissions, and my Civic Si Hybrid might be no completely different.
I suppose you might maintain the automated choice too. I do know that goes towards the ethos of the Civic Si, however not everybody is ready to or desires to drive a handbook. I’m a realist.
The Suspension and Dealing with: Civic Si
Sure, the Civic Hybrid Hatchback’s suspension and dealing with are actually good for a hybrid, but it surely’s lacking that planted, linked and sporty really feel you get with the Si. Due to that, I’m throwing the Civic Si’s suspension and dealing with into this concoction. The Civic Si has at all times been about getting round corners in a very satisfying approach, and my creation might be no completely different.
The Physique: Civic Hatchback
It needs to be unlawful that Honda solely affords the Civic Si as a sedan when it has a wonderfully good hatchback physique simply mendacity round. Not solely would this be higher for aesthetic causes, as a result of hatchbacks are higher than sedans, however it might simply be extra sensible, and that’s what the Si is about. Consider how way more baggage you might match within the hatch and the way comfortable your buddies within the again seat could be.
It is a no-brainer to me, and Honda kind of thinks so too. Simply have a look at the Acura Integra A-Spec. That automobile is just about a reskinned Civic Si, and it’s a hatchback! Give the folks what they need, Honda.
Inside: Each
They’re the identical. I assume we’ll take the Si’s bucket seats, however that’s about it. There’s no actual distinction and the Hybrid Hatch’s seats are additionally tremendous comfortable.
Okay, Honda, you understand what to do. I count on to see the Civic Si Hatch on showroom flooring throughout the subsequent yr and I’m demanding a slight royalty on each single one offered. No, I don’t care that this concoction could take away from Civic Sort R gross sales. That isn’t my downside. The folks yearn for hybrid sizzling hatches, and Honda is in the perfect place to make them a actuality.
I simply know Honda could make this occur if Mike Pence has the braveness.
