4,000 to 7,500 v.p.m. ver ranges. At about 6,000 r.p.m. the engine lets out a high-pitched race-car-like ‘blat’, and con- tinues unabaied to 8,000 rp.m.” ace on Sunday, ATTENTION weekend racers: locking for a car that you can take to the track on Sunday, and drive to work on Monday? For under $25,000, the Honda Civic Coupe SiR is about as close as you’re gonna get to a street-legal race-car. The SiR is based on the Civic Coupe Si, but has a more powerful 160-horsepower 1.6-litre twin cam four-cylinder engine, a stiffer suspension, better brakes, a slightly different appearance, a higher level of standard equipment, and of course, a higher price-tag. SiR’s go for $23,300 compared to the Si’s base price of $18,706. Styling differences between the two are so subtle that you may not notice them. Careful observers will notice an “SiR” 30 day powertrain guarantee 14 day owner exchange program chrome badge on the rear decktid, “DOHC VTEC” decals on the doors, body-coloured side-sills, front chin spoiler, mesh grille, and chrome exhaust tip. The most obvious difference is the SiR’s low-profile 15 inch radials and allov whecls. Mechanical differences are more significant. Like the Si, the SiR has a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with four valves per cvlinder and VTEC (variable vaive timing), but unlike the Si, the SiR’s engine has dual overhead camshafts instead of a single overhead camshaft, a higher 10.2:) compression ratio, and cylinders with a shorter stroke and a wider bore. The SiR’s engine puts out a potent 160 horsepower at a screaming 7,600 c.p.m. — an amazing 100 horsepower per litre of engine displacement — and 11 Ib.-ft. of torque at av high 7,300 r.p.m. This compares to the Si's single overhead cam 1.6-litre moter with 127 horsepower at 6,600 rp.m., snd 107 Ib.-ft. of corque at 5,500 r.p.m. The SiR engine’s relatively high compression ratio requires the use of more expensive Premium fuel, but with highway fuel economy of 7.0 1/100 km (40 m.p.g.) and city consump- tion of 9.5 1/190 km (30 m.p.g.), the SIR is certainly no gas Comprehensive mechanicai and safety inspection Detailed cosmetic reconditianing 2+ICBC damage check Lien iree guarantee hog. Tn addition to its more powerful engine, the SiR has stan- dard four-wheel disc brakes with ABS (compared to the Si’s front disc/rear drums setup with optional ABS), front and rear stabilizer bars, stiffer springs, a chassis-stiffening front strut tower bar, a five-speed manual transmission with a high- er final drive ratio, and quicker steering. The SiR’s standard tires are 195/55 V-rated 15-inch radi- als, compared to the Si’s narrower 185,/65R-S-rated 14-inch radials. SiR’s weigh about 35 kilograms more than Si models, duc in part to a higher level of standard equipmen These include air conditioning, ABS, and a Jeather- wrapped steering wheel and shift kneb. Other unique SiR interior features include special moquette cloth seat uphol- stery, amber-illuminated gauges with SiR script on the speedometer, an 8,000 z.p.m. redline on the tachometer, and open-style front head restrain See Keep next page we: