Ask And Ye Shall Receive: Manual Civic Turbo Is In The Cards
One seemingly glaring omission on the 2016 Honda Civic turbo's spec sheet is a manual transmission. The 1.5-litre four-cylinder motor is exclusively offered with a continuously-variable gearbox, despite the fact that a manual is available should you choose to order the naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre model.
It's an unusual move for Honda to make, especially considering that the brand has been touting the new Civic's "sportier" flair as compared to the rather dull dynamics of the model it replaces. After speaking with the automaker's engineering team, however, it's become clear that the decision to hamstring the turbocharged Civic with a slushbox isn't a permanent one. In fact, according to Honda there's no reason at all why the 1.5-litre couldn't be bolted up to a six-speed manual as soon as the day after tomorrow. All the company is waiting for is a show of interest from enthusiasts that indicates there's enough of a buyer base to justify production.
- Also: 2016 Honda Civic: Honda's Four-Door Neuralizer
- Also: 2016 Honda Civic Coupe Unveiled In Los Angeles
If you are feeling lazy, you could always wait for the upcoming Civic Type R, which is certain to feature a manual transmission combined with an even mightier turbocharged engine under the hood. Keep in mind, however, that the Type R is going to come with a hefty window sticker to justify the rest of the performance equipment - limited-slip differential, sport suspension, undoubtedly huge wing - that comes with it. Far better, in my opinion, to pick up a stripper 1.5-litre turbo and mod it to your heart's content, using the money you save on payments to load up on HKS and Greddy gear instead.
So you heard me. Honda fanboys, run, don't walk, to your latest post office or laptop and start sending emails, snail mails, telegrams, postcards, smoke signals, and semaphore to Honda HQ. Tell them how much you want a turbo/clutch combo. Tell them you'll make a deposit the day it's announced. Trust me, as decent as the CVT is, you definitely want a third pedal in the brand's first forced-induction Civic.
- Read our review of the 21015 Honda Civic.