Although it was first announced for mid-October, Honda announced the debut of the 2008 Honda Civic MUGEN Si Sedan. The 2008 Honda Civic MUGEN Si Sedan has a 2.0 liter i-VTEC DOHC 4-cylinder engine developing 197 hp at 7800 rpm and 139 lb.-ft. of torque at 6100 rpm.
Honda Press Release:
2008 Honda Civic Si Takes Sport Compact Fun to 8000 RPM; Civic MUGEN Si Sedan Makes Debut
Powerfully-capable Civic is available in sedan or coupe form;
The 2008 Honda Civic Si combines razor-sharp handling with a high-revving, 197-horsepower, 8000 rpm redline, 2.0 liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder
engine; 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission; and a helical-type, limited-slip differential. For 2008, the exclusive and limited production Civic MUGEN Si Sedan debuts with a high-performance suspension, lightweight forged aluminum wheels, aerodynamic body kit with adjustable rear wing spoiler and a sport-tuned exhaust system.
"The Civic Si delivers pure Honda performance with its potent 4-cylinder engine and dynamic sports suspension," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co.,
Inc. "Engineered for the enthusiast driver, the Civic Si merges the everyday refinement of the Civic into a highly-entertaining performance package."
Available as a coupe or sedan, the Civic Si enhances the performance potential of the Civic architecture. Exclusive sports suspension highlights consists of firm spring, damper and stabilizer bar tuning along with exclusive 17-inch alloy wheels and high-performance P215/45 R17 87V tires. Exterior appointments include a low-profile rear wing spoiler and front and rear Si emblems. The interior design provides a
performance-driving environment with firmly-bolstered synthetic suede seats with red stitching, red backlight gauges, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob.
A 2.0-liter, 16-valve, DOHC i-VTEC engine produces 197-horsepower @ 7800 rpm and 139 lb-ft. of torque at 6100 rpm. A standard close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission allows for quick, smooth gear changes with torque distributed via a limited-slip differential for enhanced traction in high-performance driving situations.
The interior's two-tier instrument panel conveys a futuristic design with quick-reference meter positioning and includes a rev-limit indicator light. A leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescope steering wheel is standard, along with a leather-wrapped aluminum shift knob. The 7-speaker, 350-watt premium audio system features a subwoofer, Speed-sensitive Volume Control (SVC), MP3/WMA playback capability, auxiliary audio input jack and XM® Satellite Radio for navigation-equipped models. Additional features include a 60/40 split folding rear seat, one-touch power moonroof, red ambient console lighting, keyless entry with security system, power windows, power locks, a dual trip meter odometer and a Maintenance Minder™ indicator. The voice-activated Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ is available.
Every 2008 Civic integrates a wide array of standard safety technologies starting with the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure; side curtain airbags; driver's and front passenger's side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); and dual-stage, dual-threshold driver's and front passenger's airbags (SRS). Active front seat head restraints are designed to help reduce the severity of neck injury in the event of a rear collision. Standard active safety features include an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with brake assist and electronic brake distribution, front seatbelts with automatic-tensioners and load limiters, and a pedestrian injury mitigation design incorporated into the front exterior of the vehicle. Driver and front passenger seatbelt reminders and daytime running lights are also standard equipment.
Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) provides launch, oversteer and acceleration-understeer control by modulating engine power and/or applying brake pressure independently to each wheel. VSA can be manually deactivated if conditions warrant it.
Civic MUGEN Si Sedan
Built on the foundation of the Civic Si Sedan and tuned by the prestigious racing and aftermarket performance company, MUGEN, a Civic MUGEN Si Sedan debuts for 2008 and adds a high-performance suspension, forged aluminum 18-inch lightweight alloy wheels, a full aerodynamic body kit with rear wing spoiler and rear diffuser, and a sport-tuned exhaust system.
"Honda enthusiasts have long been asking for MUGEN performance products similar to what the company offers in Japan," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda. "We're enthusiasts, too, and the ultra-premium Civic MUGEN Si Sedan offers exclusive style and elevated handling performance with legendary Honda refinement."
The track-tuned suspension, tested at the Twin Ring Motegi racing circuit in Japan, lowers the vehicle by 0.6 inches with aggressive spring and damper tuning for enhanced handling performance while still maintaining a high level of ride comfort. Compared to the conventional Civic Si Sedan, front and rear damping force (both bump and rebound) was increased between 8- and 24-percent. Lightweight 16.98-pound 18x7.5-inch forged aluminum wheels (27 percent lighter than the stock 17x7 alloy wheel) and high-grip BFGoodrich® g-Force KDW 215/40ZR18 summer tires help to create MUGEN's unique, rewarding and well-balanced handling performance character.
The full-vehicle aero-package adds a front spoiler with a sports grille, side spoilers, a rear bumper diffuser and a rear wing. The sport-tuned exhaust system reduces back pressure from the catalytic converter back. The Civic MUGEN Si Sedan is available exclusively in Fiji Blue Pearl and includes front and rear MUGEN emblems. Inside, a MUGEN Limited Edition placard is located on the center console along with a spherical 50 mm MUGEN aluminum shift knob.
The name MUGEN symbolizes Honda performance throughout Asia and around the globe. MUGEN, under license by M-TEC Co., Ltd., of Japan, has been closely associated with Honda for more than three decades in the design and manufacture of racing and premium aftermarket performance products.
The limited-production Civic MUGEN Si Sedan (maximum of 1,000 units for the 2008 model year) is backed by the standard factory Honda warranty. A prototype of the Honda Civic MUGEN Si was shown at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in fall, 2006.
Civic MUGEN Si Sedan Specs:
- Engine Type = i-VTEC DOHC 4-cylinder engine
- Displacement = 2.0 liters (1998 cc)
- Transmission = 6-speed manual transmission
- Horsepower = 197 @ 7800 rpm
- Torque (lb.-ft.) = 139 @ 6100 rpm
- Ride Height = 5.3 inches (-0.6 inches from Civic Si Sedan)
- Overall Length = 177.8 inches total (+1.1 inches from Civic Si Sedan)
- Wheels: Forged GP 18x7.5 (pattern 5H-114.3 +48)
