The 2008 Honda Civic SI is the next generation in a long heritage of compact performance cars. Mugen has been a long-time tuner of all things Honda. This all-around pocket rocket original Honda Civic has been transformed into a limited-edition Mugen- tuned Civic. The Mugen Civic SI is based on a four-door Civic SI sedan, but sports a couple of sweet upgrades.
Mugen has installed a tuned suspension that was tested at the 
famed Twin-Ring Motegi race track in Japan. This suspension consists of a stiffer set of lowering springs that brings the car’s center of gravity down for better handling, stiffened the shocks to cope with the lowered ride height, tuned dampers, lightweight Mugen 18×7.5 forged aluminum rims, and high performance tires.
Pop the hood and you will lay eyes on the 4-cylinder, 197-hp engine mated to a six-speed transmission with a limited slip differential. The exhaust has been swapped out for a Mugen issued cat-back piece that sounds pissed off.
Mugen also gave the exterior a minor makeover. While most Civics are overdone with huge body kits made from fiberglass; Mugen has added some nice urethane pieces. The aero pieces include a front spoiler and grill, side skirts, a rear diffuser spoiler, and a cool rear wing. And of course each limited-edition Mugen Civic comes covered in Fuji Blue.
Mugen Civic sports an interior that is upgraded with some limited edition pieces. There is a nice Mugen Plaque that marks this as a limited edition car, a nifty aluminum shift knob, and pedal covers. 
Only 1,000 Mugen Civic SI vehicles will be on sale in the U.S. which will definitely cement its status as a limited Edition Car! The estimated retail price will be about $30,000, and this car will come with a full Factory Warranty from Honda.
See a full line-up of Honda Cars at Palm Springs Honda. Source: Cool New Cars
]]>
Over the past year or two there have been many new features available as standard options or add-ons for many cars. Some of these features are revolutionary and exciting, some have been around in one form or another for years, and then there are those that died a quick death. Below is a list of 10 from Automobile News and some thoughts on each.
1. Ignition/Push Start Buttons – The first car to my knowledge to come standard with this feature was the Honda S2000. Although you still need to put a key into the ignition, the push button start was a great idea that caught on with manufacturers everywhere. BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus wasted no time in adding this to their line-up. But now this feature is even better; you don’t even need to put the key into any ignition, just have the key in your pocket and the car will start right up with the push of a button!
2. Navigation Systems – With the popularity of Magellan, Tom Tom, and other road map systems, it was only a matter of time before the in-dash navigation system would make its way onto current cars. I look forward to the day when I can afford a new car with the in-dash nav/DVD system.
3. Gas/Electric Hybrids – This has been the future of automobiles for years. Toyota and Honda know this, but it was just this year that U.S. automakers got their act together and started producing hybrid vehicles. Soon all cars will be hybrids, then electric, then gas will be dead forever!
4. Cylinder Cut-Off systems – This is by far my favorite new wave in the car industry. Cylinder Deactivation essentially turns a V-8 engine into a 4-cylinder by cutting fuel to half of the cylinder banks. This is a great way for big V-8 trucks and SUV’s to get reasonable gas mileage.
5. Paddle Shifters – We go from my favorite invention to my least favorite. In fact I hate the idea of paddle shifters on everyday cars. I feel they should be reserved for million dollar Ferrari’s that need millisecond shifts. Now cars as lowly as the Mitsubishi Lancer will get high tech paddle shifters. This marks the beginning of the end for clutch operated, hand shifted cars. I shed a tear.
6. Rear view Cameras – This option grew out of necessity. Supercars like the McLaren F1 which has the tiniest of rear windows relied on a camera to see what’s behind. Then big trucks and SUV’s like the Infiniti FX have caught onto the trend. Now many luxury cars offer this system. It makes reversing much safer and will definitely help in the area of parking.
7. Turbochargers and Smaller Engines – Again auto manufacturers like Volkswagen have used turbocharged 4-cylinder engines to produce as much horsepower as a V-8 while getting incredible gas mileage. I have always been a big fan of turbos’, which used the wasted exhaust gasses to power up.
8. Small Cars/Spacious Interiors – Again it is the Japanese sub-compact industry that sparked the rise of these cars in America. Hatchbacks have been around for years, and the folding rear seats allow for a ton of cubic space in a hatchback style car.
9. Capless Fuel Systems – Gas can evaporate! Yup this is news to me but very true. Ford is on the leading edge with their GT Supercar which features a capless fuel system. This internal sealing feature will be a trend we see on new cars in the future.
10. Information Systems – The Ford Sync provides real time traffic reports, an On-Star like feature that alerts authorities in the event of an accident, and a vehicle diagnostic system.
With these new features appearing on more new cars, the race is on for car manufacturers to provide the consumers with the newest technology.
]]>