The Honda Civic Si, the "hot hatchback" at the heart of the company's street performance legacy, enters the 2004 model year with a host of performance and character enhancing improvements.

Quickly embraced by import enthusiasts and the performance tuning market, the 2004 Civic Si will strengthen its position with larger 16-inch alloy wheels and tires for crisper handling and increased grip; redesigned headlights and taillights for a more modern look; new silver trim on the instrument panel and doors; and a new side sill garnish.

The heart of the Civic Si's sporting character is its 2.0-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine that delivers 160-horsepower and 132 lbs-ft of torque, the most ever for any production Civic sold in America. The technologically advanced i-VTEC system continually adjusts valve lift and timing along with the phase of the intake camshaft phase depending on engine speed and load for a smooth torque curve that delivers refinement and fuel economy at low rpm, and maximum performance at high rpm.

Further enhancing the Civic Si's dynamic prowess are state-of-the-art Control-Link MacPherson strut front suspension and compact Reactive-Link double-wishbone rear suspension systems. Front and rear stabilizer bars, electrical power steering with variable assist, and large-diameter front and rear disk brakes round out the package.

Sporty details like aggressively bolstered sport seats with red stitching, a rally-style shifter mounted on the center instrument panel and white-face gauges make the Civic Si unique in its class. The highly versatile hatchback package with 60/40 split folding rear seats, in combination with Honda dependability, quality, and reliability further strengthen its value proposition.

In keeping with Honda's continuing focus on safety, the Civic Si features standard 4-wheel anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution in order to maintain steering, traction and balance during emergency maneuvers. Additionally, the Civic Si employs advanced dual-stage front air bags, available side SRS airbags, dual seatbelt pre-tensioners and strategic use of high tensile strength steel to maximize occupant safety in the event of a collision.

The Honda Civic Si is produced exclusively at the Honda UK Manufacturing facility in Swindon, England.

Story by Honda Motor Company