Photo 14 -- Exterior Side

With the introduction of the 2006 Civic Si, Honda celebrates the performance model’s 20th anniversary. The Civic Si first debuted as a 91-horsepower hatchback in 1986, riding on 13-inch, 70-series rubber. A 1989 redesign brought a 108-horsepower engine and 14-inch wheels running P185/60 tires. The 1992 model rode on those same size tires, stopped now with four-wheel-disc brakes and powered by a 125-horsepower motor equipped with VTEC technology. The 1999 Honda Civic Si Coupe – the best of the breed until this year – whipped up 160 ponies and included a sport suspension riding on P195/55R15 treads. The 2002 model returned the Si to its hatchback origins, adding ABS and 16-inch wheels to the mix. The motor didn’t make more horsepower, but torque was greater and peaked at lower rpm. The 2002 Civic Si also had a funky console-mounted shifter, like a rally car.