by "BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
Published 02/18/2017 at 22:16
by "BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
Published 02/18/2017 at 22:16
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STARS: 4
It’s not crazy to think that the last generation Civic could have done better than the TSX engine. The car was pretty much a letdown, and it was for one simple reason: Honda built the car for people that were never going to buy it anyway.
By 2012 turbos were already the hot thing for sport-compacts. The WRX had become mainstream, the Mazdaspeed 3 had proved its muscle, and the Focus ST was looming on the horizon. With no turbo engines in development and only the questionably received K23T in production, Honda did the only thing it could: used displacement for replacement. However, they had another option.
Coming off the FA5 and FG2 generation, the biggest complaint was the engines overall lack of shove and need to be wound out to make its power. However, what Honda needed for the next iteration of its Si nameplate was not the subdued “light jazz” of the K24. No, Honda needed something with the same soul and more Vigor. Honda needed a 5-Cylinder version of the K20, a K25 if you will.
A similarly high reviving K25 would have been easily capable of 240hp and over 170 ftlb of tq. The same torque figure, but significantly higher horsepower, with the same free-revving character. More importantly, it would have kept the Si on the tongue of real enthusiasts everywhere.
And that, that’s the thing...
"For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
02/18/2017 at 22:19, STARS: 11
Hi it’s me your ideal Honda
"Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras" (jegoingout)
02/18/2017 at 22:24, STARS: 2
K24 bottom and k20 top
Torque of the k24 and the high revving ability of the k20
"Birddog" (maintmgt)
02/18/2017 at 22:25, STARS: 2
“Honda built the car for people that were never going to buy it anyway”
The need to appease the typical blogger that most likely doesn’t even own a car “enthusiast” is strong.
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
02/18/2017 at 22:27, STARS: 3
Except for the lack of Honda’s reliability.
"BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
02/18/2017 at 22:29, STARS: 1
Reliability was pretty good for those actually.
"BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
02/18/2017 at 22:31, STARS: 1
Imagine one with an NA 2.5 that only weighed 2900 lbs. that woulda been dope!
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
02/18/2017 at 22:31, STARS: 0
Don’t tell that to poor JQJ213
"Viggen" (viggen37)
02/18/2017 at 22:33, STARS: 3
Had it gone into production, I can see this having been the last naturally aspirated hurrah for Honda.
"BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
02/18/2017 at 22:33, STARS: 1
I had an FA5, if they hadn’t screwed up the successor I’d have another one.
"BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
02/18/2017 at 22:34, STARS: 1
RDX injectors and 2006-2008 K24 cams. Yeah I did a lot of research on the K-Series Frankenstein options.
"Alfalfa" (alfalfa-romeo)
02/18/2017 at 22:43, STARS: 3
The world always needs more 5 cylinder mills.
"Birddog" (maintmgt)
02/18/2017 at 22:48, STARS: 0
I won’t pretend to know what an FA5 is. The only Hondas I’ve ever owned are on two or three wheels. Some of the Civics have been attractive and I actually like the 1g Ridgeline if that counts for anything.
“built the car for people that were never going to buy it anyway”
This part of the post is something I’ve been ranting about for years.
"BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
02/18/2017 at 22:57, STARS: 3
FA5 is a 2006-2011 Si in four-door version.
And I’m glad you agree. Honda went wrong with the Si when it began chasing the masses and stopped doing its own thing. Alienated its existing base for a group that was never even going to consider it.
"wafflesnfalafel" (wafflesnfalafel1)
02/18/2017 at 23:08, STARS: 2
yep - basically a fancy Mazda 3/euro Ford Focus with a better looking nose and more go. Totally agree Honda missed the boat not pushing that 5cyl. I remember press releases back in the day - the the anticipation was pretty big, but then disappointment when it only went into the TL and even then was somewhat anemic.