Sport compact fans have been blessed with a ton of fantastic products over the last few years, with models like the Subaru WRX, Volkswagen Golf R, Toyota 86, Mini Cooper S, Fiat 500 Sport, and Mazda MX-5 all proving that big fun can be had in small packages. Joining the party is the new Civic Type R, which just debuted in prototype guise at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. Stateside buyers will be happy to know that the ‘Ring-storming, R’d-out tenth-gen Civic will indeed make it to U.S. dealers, but what if you want something a little less over the top? Honda has an answer, and it’s called the Civic Si. For now, details on the mid-ranger are still under wraps, but that’ll soon change, as it was just confirmed that the new Civic Si will make its formal public debut next month at the Los Angeles Motor Show.

Breaking the news (perhaps unintentionally) is a single line in a recent L.A. Auto Show press release, which lists the Si as of many upcoming debuts slated to drop cover at the event. And while official specs are still forthcoming, a little speculation couldn’t hurt.

First off, we know the powerplant will be turbocharged, and will most likely be the same 1.5-liter four-cylinder currently outfitted on the more pedestrian Civic variants. Those models get 174 horsepower, but we think the Si will sport around 225 ponies, all of which will get routed to the front axle by way of a six-speed manual transmission.

The body style is bit more uncertain, but with the recent reveal of the tenth-gen Civic hatchback, an Si five-door seems likely. Also look for swoopy, sporty styling, with an aggression level somewhere around 5, as opposed to the Type R’s 11.

Major debuts at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show are scheduled to kick off Wednesday, November 16th, continuing into Thursday, November 17. Stay tuned, as we’ll be on the scene bringing you the latest as it happens.

Note: 2014 - 2015 Civic Si shown above.

Continue reading for the full story.

Why It Matters

The new Si is a nice addition to the lineup for L.A. It’ll be a great primer for U.S. audiences salivating at the thought of owning a new Type R, and it’ll give more rational buyers a solid option in the segment as well.

I’m fairly certain 225 horsepower from a 1.5-liter turbo four is all but certain for this model, which really just leaves the styling up in the air. The Type R prototype that debuted in Paris is a wild thing to look at, which makes sense for the nameplate, but all that aggression left a sour taste in the mouth of many. And that’s totally okay – not everyone loves the boy racer aesthetic.

So that leaves the Si to occupy the middle ground, which should be an interesting balancing act for Honda’s designers.

Check back in November for more.

Read our full review on the 2017 Honda Civic hatchback here.