Stormin' Civic on the way?

We reported last week in CarPoint that Honda Australia is evaluating the imminent Euro-built Civic Type R hatchback for Australia, but here’s another variant that’s almost as enticing.

It’s dubbed the Civic Si Sedan Concept, and was recently unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show. The design study is said to provide “strong hints of the styling and performance” for a production Civic Si Sedan that will go on sale in the US in the third quarter of this year.

The four-door will follow in the wheel tracks of the recently launched Civic Si Coupe (sporting variants wear the ‘Si’ tag in the US). Like the coupe, it’s powered by a 145kW 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine that’s mated to a close-ratio, six-speed manual transmission.

Helping to ensure that the front tyres don’t go up in smoke is a helical-type, limited-slip differential for improved traction and cornering capabilities.

The Civic Si Sedan Concept also features 18-inch cast aluminium alloy wheels, 225/40ZR18 low-profile rubber and a hardcore braking package comprising large cross-drilled discs and four-piston Brembo calipers.

However, it’s a dead cert the production version will make do without the costly Brembo brakes, and it’s also expected to sport 17-inch rims rather than the concept’s 18-inchers.

Will we get the fleet-footed sedan be offered in Australia? Not likely, as the Civic Si will be built in the US, whereas the sedan we get here is sourced from Thailand.

It’s clearly been a long time between drinks for local fans of go-faster Civics. The most potent model sold here to date was the 118kW VTi-R hatch that debuted in 1995. Offering zingy performance and tidy handling, it was an enticing prospect at just over $30K.