serif
Senior Member
Heads up: a first post filled with rampant speculation ahead!
Here's some newer info that could be relevant: alongside the introduction of the 1.0l 3-cyl turbo for Europe, Honda also announced the supplementary engine for Europe will be the 1.5l turbo, but with 150 kW (~201 bhp) and 260 N-m (~192 ft-lb). Here's a slide from the intro detailing this engine.
The power difference could be down to higher test gasoline sold in Europe, because all the other specs are identical to the North American version. However, it would have to be tuned slightly differently to accommodate the better gas. Making the Si "premium unleaded only" would be in keeping with the past, so that tune could easily see its way into the Si.
Rampant speculation time: if the rumors are true and the Si will continue with around 200hp, this looks like the engine. Honda doesn't do vastly different variations on the same engine for single models; they're always at least related if not identical across models, even if the code and output are slightly different, e.g. K24 and J35. So I definitely do not expect a standalone, brand-new engine for the Si, at all. Also, back in 2013, they announced all 3 of the now-current turbo engines, including the 2.0 for the Type-R, the 1.5, and the 1.0.
However, I think other engines are possible. Not in that announcement is anything to bridge the gap between the 1.5 and hi-po 2.0 (not that Honda ever really had anything to bridge the K-series and J-series). So another, less likely possibility is an unannounced, lower-output 2.0l turbo with ~240hp (halfway between the 1.5 and hi-po 2.0) that will entirely replace our old friend the K24 (or even J35 in some cases) in the Si, ILX, TLX, Accord, and CR-V. There's also a rumored 225-230hp 1.5l turbo that's rumored to see duty in the rumored "baby NSX"/"next S2000" in rumored on-again-off-again development. Or so I've heard. That rumored engine could be a possibility. If it's more than a rumor, I think it's the likely choice.
There is a fourth possibility, and it's exciting but unlikely. It would make the Si a global model and instantly take it into the lead of the "entry" hot hatch horsepower wars in Europe, but still leave room for the Type R. The original announcement cited above listed an output for the 2.0l of "at least" 280hp and showed a Type R concept with 280hp. Then the Type R came out with 302hp. To me, this means there exists a small possibility that Honda has developed a 280hp version that will drop into the Si, reintroduce the Si in Europe, and subsequently replace the J-series in some North American models. That means the next Type R would have a further developed 2.0l with more than its current 302 hp, likely move to SH-AWD--as is possible with the new chassis--and the Si will debut at the head of its class with 280hp. Honda has used some cagey wording in its press releases for the Civic X, citing the Si as a separate model, and this engine could support that idea. This is the most enticing option; it's what I would do if I were in charge. But if I were in charge, the Si wouldn't have lost the manic K20.
TL;DR: I speculate the Si will have one of 4 turbo engines: the announced 200hp 1.5l, a rumored 230hp 1.5l, a new unannounced 240hp 2.0l, or the announced 280hp 2.0l. I think one of the 1.5 engines is most likely.
Here's some newer info that could be relevant: alongside the introduction of the 1.0l 3-cyl turbo for Europe, Honda also announced the supplementary engine for Europe will be the 1.5l turbo, but with 150 kW (~201 bhp) and 260 N-m (~192 ft-lb). Here's a slide from the intro detailing this engine.
The power difference could be down to higher test gasoline sold in Europe, because all the other specs are identical to the North American version. However, it would have to be tuned slightly differently to accommodate the better gas. Making the Si "premium unleaded only" would be in keeping with the past, so that tune could easily see its way into the Si.
Rampant speculation time: if the rumors are true and the Si will continue with around 200hp, this looks like the engine. Honda doesn't do vastly different variations on the same engine for single models; they're always at least related if not identical across models, even if the code and output are slightly different, e.g. K24 and J35. So I definitely do not expect a standalone, brand-new engine for the Si, at all. Also, back in 2013, they announced all 3 of the now-current turbo engines, including the 2.0 for the Type-R, the 1.5, and the 1.0.
However, I think other engines are possible. Not in that announcement is anything to bridge the gap between the 1.5 and hi-po 2.0 (not that Honda ever really had anything to bridge the K-series and J-series). So another, less likely possibility is an unannounced, lower-output 2.0l turbo with ~240hp (halfway between the 1.5 and hi-po 2.0) that will entirely replace our old friend the K24 (or even J35 in some cases) in the Si, ILX, TLX, Accord, and CR-V. There's also a rumored 225-230hp 1.5l turbo that's rumored to see duty in the rumored "baby NSX"/"next S2000" in rumored on-again-off-again development. Or so I've heard. That rumored engine could be a possibility. If it's more than a rumor, I think it's the likely choice.
There is a fourth possibility, and it's exciting but unlikely. It would make the Si a global model and instantly take it into the lead of the "entry" hot hatch horsepower wars in Europe, but still leave room for the Type R. The original announcement cited above listed an output for the 2.0l of "at least" 280hp and showed a Type R concept with 280hp. Then the Type R came out with 302hp. To me, this means there exists a small possibility that Honda has developed a 280hp version that will drop into the Si, reintroduce the Si in Europe, and subsequently replace the J-series in some North American models. That means the next Type R would have a further developed 2.0l with more than its current 302 hp, likely move to SH-AWD--as is possible with the new chassis--and the Si will debut at the head of its class with 280hp. Honda has used some cagey wording in its press releases for the Civic X, citing the Si as a separate model, and this engine could support that idea. This is the most enticing option; it's what I would do if I were in charge. But if I were in charge, the Si wouldn't have lost the manic K20.
TL;DR: I speculate the Si will have one of 4 turbo engines: the announced 200hp 1.5l, a rumored 230hp 1.5l, a new unannounced 240hp 2.0l, or the announced 280hp 2.0l. I think one of the 1.5 engines is most likely.
