The annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas is always a monster. And for the 2005 edition last November, that monster orbited around Honda as the "Vehicle Manufacturer of the Show." And the car Honda wanted to feature most prominently was the new 2006 Civic Si. You know, the car that's supposed to restore all the good will among enthusiasts that the company stupidly pissed away with the misbegotten, unceasingly boring 2001 redesign of the Civic.
So, strewn about the Las Vegas Convention Center's acres and acres of automotive innovation and utter crap, were at least 15 new Civic Si coupes decorated in the latest zippy styles and/or hardcore performance components. Were they all totally awesome? Eh, nope. But some were worthwhile. And the new Si is so good; we've already forgiven Honda for the previous edition and now love them very much. Again.
Totally EclipsedSEMA's obsession with the new Civic Si didn't mean that there weren't other makes and models on display. It only meant no one was paying attention. Too bad, because Mitsubishi's Eclipse Ralliart concept is exactly the Eclipse the company should be building.
Forget the Eclipse Ralliart's decorations for a second, because what really matters here is that it has the heart-and we mean that almost literally-of an Evo transplanted into it. That's right, the Eclipse has a turbocharged 4G63 2.0-liter four under its hood making something like 400-horsepower, thanks to a few HKS plucks. And it sends that power through a six-speed manual transmission to an all-wheel drive system, too. Didn't Mitsu once build an Eclipse like this? You know, like, way back in 1990?
Shoving AWD under the current generation Eclipse should be straightforward since its fellow "Project America" vehicle, the Endeavor SUV, is already equipped with an AWD system similar to the Evo's. And of course, the 4G63 is a smaller engine than the monstrous 3.8-liter V6 that's the current top powerplant in the car, so it has no problems fitting.
Sure the carbon fiber hood, roof, fascias, and front fenders are neat, the interior's redecoration with Recaro seats is sweet, and those 20-inch carbon fiber wheels are wicked, but Mitsu should forget all that and just shove this drivetrain into the Eclipse. What's stopping them?
Meanwhile At Acura...Despite all the attention being paid to the new Honda Civic Si, Acura is continuing to sell the RSX. And at SEMA, Honda's little-sister division displayed its latest variation on the RSX A-Spec. The RSX A-Spec Concept has a track five inches wider than stock, a wide-body kit to cover the stuck-out-there 19-inch black chrome wheels, Michelin F1 racing tires and a load of carbon fiber wings, spoilers and fascias. Big brakes are also part of the package, naturally, but the engine is basically untouched.
So, can the RSX still thrive in a world where the Civic Si offers so much? And will a concept car like this help?
HHR You Serious?GM's SEMA presence was vast and noggin boggling, but just one of the vehicles on display was undeniably interesting-this Chevy HHR was massaged into a two-door, with rear window styling swiped from the classic '55 Nomad sports wagon. It's better looking in real life.