Just as Honda announced it’ll be refreshing the Civic for next year, hoping everyone will quickly forget about the 2012 model, Consumer Reports goes and gives the 2012 Honda Civic Si a “Recommended” rating in its latest report.

Now let’s keep in mind that Consumer Reports were one of the first outlets to give the 2012 Civic such low ratings. In fact, they reiterated their thoughts on the base model Civic by saying “while other models like the Hyundai Elantra have gotten better after being redesigned, the Honda Civic has dropped so much that now it ranks near the bottom of its category.”

But the base model Civic isn’t the one that sports the 2.4L, 201-hp powerplant. In fact, our review of the Si was favorable – read the review here – and Consumer Reports agrees that the Si offers “terrific acceleration” more low-end torque and a slick-shifting six-speed manual gearbox. As a result, the Si model scored much better than the base model awarding it the Recommended title from Consumer Reports.

Funny enough, the publication still believes that while “the Civic Si has a great powertrain, it needs a better car wrapped around it.”

GALLERY: 2012 Honda Civic Si

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2012 Civic Si vs. MazdaSpeed3 Shootout

With the 2011 SEMA Show just around the corner, we’ve been getting fed tons of teasers and sneak peeks of finished projects that will be making their way to the big aftermarket expo in Las Vegas. But forget teasers, here’s the full reveal of Fox Marketing’s 2012 Honda Civic Si, boasting a wickedly clean widebody and packing over 450-hp thanks to Full-Race’s turbo kit.

The custom widebody and body kit is courtesy of carbodykits.com, while Fox Marketing opted to have the entire body resprayed by BASF’s R-M Ultrasonic Blue Pearl. Handling suspension duties are springs from Road Magnet while SSBC contributed a brake upgrade to the Si Coupe. For wheels, Fox Marketing opted for a custom 20-inch setup from Vossen. CV3 wheels adorn each corner of the project wrapped with Toyo Proxes 4 tires.

On the inside, Yonaka Ronin racing seats found their way inside after being reupholstered with factory Civic Si fabric inserts in the front and the rear. AutoGuide.com will be sure to check out the finished project up close in person starting on November 1st.

GALLERY: Fox Marketing 2012 Honda Civic Si

See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 SEMA Show preview here

Discuss this story at 9thGenCivic.com

With the new 2012 Honda Civic lineup having just been announced at the New York Auto Show, it’s natural for Honda lovers to scratch their heads and wonder where the hatchback variant is. Or better yet, where the Si hatchback version is.

Apparently right now it’s only available in the brilliant minds of Photoshoppers worldwide. Neal McDaniel over at the Temple of VTEC whipped up his own Civic Si Hatchback Concept rendering that has many of us wondering if Honda will make it a reality. Though we feel it shares one too many lines with the CR-Z hybrid, the idea of a Civic Si hatchback from the 2012 Civic lineup is appealing.

For the rendering, Neal wanted to point out several of the modifications he did: true “One Motion” design, shortened front and rear overhangs, tinted headlights with clear corners, revised a-pillar garnish with kink, lowered ride height, 18-inch wheels, cleaner rocker panels, a slightly lowered roof line, extended rear passenger windows, slightly wider stance, more orange in color and factory tint.

[Source: Temple of VTEC]

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2012 Honda Civic Si Review

Discuss the 2012 Honda Civic at 9thGenCivic.com