Honda unveiled its new 2017 Civic Si

At the Los Angeles Auto Show, Honda just presented the Civic Si Prototype, which is actually more than a concept version of the much-anticipated Civic Si. Aside from certain details, this is pretty much what the production version will look like, and will be the most powerful Civic until the mighty Type R arrives on our market.

Unveiled in coupe form, the new Si will also be offered in the sedan body style. The Civic Si will be the most powerful ever, with a turbocharged, 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine that features direct injection. It will be matched to a six-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. The automaker has not yet announced its output, but we estimate it at more than 200 horsepower.

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The prototype presented in Los Angeles boasts an aerodynamic body kit that includes side skirts, a more aggressive front fascia and a large rear wing. The cockpit also reflects what the production Civic Si will offer, with a much sportier appearance that’s obviously not as extreme as what we expect to see in the Civic Type R.

This time around, we can’t accuse the Si from lacking character. This model will be introduced next year as a 2017 model, to be followed by the Type R, an even more radical car that will complete the 10th-generation Civic lineup.