The New Civic 1.5 Turbo Is A Sleeper And The Next Tuner Civic

"Upshift" (Upshift) 02/18/2016 at 12:36 • Filed to: Civic, turbo, si, sleeper, tuner, dyno, drag race, horsepower, cvt, manual, 2016, 9th-gen, opinion, upshift

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Hondata just released a video where they dyno-tested a 2016 Civic EX Turbo and then had it race a 9th-gen Si on an 1/8th-mile race. The results are pretty telling.

First, I would like to point out what is already pointed out in the video: Dyno-testing with a CVT is tricky. So keep this in mind and maybe the results will change a lot once Honda releases the MT version of the 1.5T civic in the very near future.

But enough rambling and to the point: The car got 177hp and 190ft-lbs AT THE FREAKING WHEELS. Which is a bit and much higher, respectively, than what Honda advertises at the crank. Again, read the disclaimer in the previous paragraph. Taking the numbers we have now, however, and applying a generously conservative 15% power loss (it’s likely more since it’s a CVT but may as well just stick with a “low” number) and you get 208hp and 224ft-lbs.

Those numbers are downright impressive and would definitely explain why all the acceleration tests done by all the major buff publications have the 1.5T civic litterally nipping at the heels of the 9th-gen Si dispite the Si “officially” having 30 more HP and the 1.5T being bogged down by a CVT. Heck, Hondata’s own drag race showsbthe Si getting beaten already.

My prediction? Once this engine gets paired with a manual transmission, the car will be delivering some hurt to 9th-gen egos in a pretty big way in stock form. Add a turbo-back exhaust and a tune that cranks the factory claimed 16.5psi-peak up to oh, say, 20 and you will have a heck of a sleeper compact, especially since this one is badged as a regular non-performance variant.

This thing is going to be popular with tuners pretty soon.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Upshift 02/18/2016 at 12:40

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Can it outrun the fact that it looks like a beached whale that was carved up with a santoku knife? Man that’s an ugly car.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Upshift 02/18/2016 at 12:41

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Can’t wait for the Si to come and hopefully all the N/A Si’s drop in price

Upshift > Upshift 02/18/2016 at 12:43

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See I kinda like the way it looks, especially from the back. But the styling is very polarizing. You either love it or hate it. Also this was meant as a reply to cletus44 but Kinja is sucking.

Jayhawk Jake > Upshift 02/18/2016 at 12:49

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There’s something hilarious about a man in a full fire suit drag racing a Honda with a CVT down an 1/8th mile drag race. It’s kinda depressing.

Opposite Locksmith > Upshift 02/18/2016 at 12:57

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This is kinda upsetting haha

bob and john > Upshift 02/18/2016 at 12:58

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no, but neither can you ;)

kidding!

TheHondaBro > Upshift 02/18/2016 at 13:12

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It works on Firefox.

TheHondaBro > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 02/18/2016 at 13:12

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There are rumors that the USDM Type R will make slightly more power!

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > TheHondaBro 02/18/2016 at 13:18

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whatever drops the prices of the current Si’s is good for me

Tom McParland > Upshift 02/18/2016 at 13:32

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I didn’t know the 1.5T would be available with an manual. Maybe in Europeland only and not US.

and 100 more > Upshift 02/18/2016 at 13:36

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I will likely never understand “simulated shift points” on a CVT.

Just let it sound like a damn buzzsaw.

Upshift > Upshift 02/18/2016 at 13:42

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To Tom, (kinja seems to act up on iphones today) apparently the manual was simply delayed to the 2017 model year but that may have changed. The last few reports I’ve seen of this date back this past fall. A forum post involving a developer parts screenshot straight from honda supposedly backs this up. But you know, grain of salt.

uofime-2 > Upshift 02/18/2016 at 15:46

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people will probably get 275whp with a TBE, IC and E85. Kinda doubt the cvt will handle that much torque though.

TheJMan92 > Jayhawk Jake 02/18/2016 at 16:47

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That had to be one of the slowest drags ever, it was slightly painful to watch.

Upshift > Tom McParland 02/22/2016 at 09:51

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Just read the Car and Driver review of the 2016 civic coupe and they have confirmation from Honda (mentioned in the article) that the stick is coming for the 1.5T

Tom McParland > Upshift 02/22/2016 at 09:51

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Nice

Upshift > Tom McParland 02/22/2016 at 09:55

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That combo should be pretty fun!

Tom McParland > Upshift 02/22/2016 at 09:57

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Seriously...a 1.5T hatch with Honda’s awesome 6MT could be a great driver’s car.

Upshift > Tom McParland 02/22/2016 at 13:32

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Definitely! Mazda levels of fun to drive with Honda dependability and turbo tuneability. It would top my recommendations for sure. A new Honda that’s a true successor to their 90s hits in my book.