The 2006 Civic Si is poised to arrive with an unbridled air of excitement and anticipation not only from Honda, but the entire sport compact community. Yes, the Si is that big. This is a model that has served as the defining symbol for this enthusiast segment since the inaugural launch of the 1986 Civic Si exactly twenty years ago.

The first Si produced 91 horsepower from its 1.5-liter engine - a remarkable feat made even more impressive when one take into consideration this was two decades ago. Such advancements in technology are spurred by Honda's storied history of global motorsports success (just one of many milestones dates back to 1964 when the company put its first Formula One car on the grid.) This performance pedigree, combined with Honda's trademark practicality, reliability and quality, are what helped establish the first Si as a class leader by which all other sport compacts are judged.

The Si literally stands for "Sports Injected" and the upcoming sixth-generation model promises to have the highest concentration of athleticism yet. With a 2.0-liter, DOHC, i-VTEC powerplant producing 197 horsepower, a buttery smooth six-speed manual gearbox (complete with a limited-slip differential) the '06 model is by far the finest Civic to wear the Si badge. Even after twenty years, Honda continues to create a Civic Si that keeps getting better with age. With such an impressive Si, only one question abounds. How Honda will commemorate its thirtieth anniversary?