The Honda Civic is one of the most popular cars with today's high-performance enthusiasts. How did a car that started life as an economical, low-emissions commuter ``econobox” in the wake of the oil shortages of the early 1970s become a tuner’s favourite? Low cost, a solid chassis, and a robust engine amenable to increased output were and are important. And Honda itself has built some pretty sporty versions of the Civic, starting with the first Si hatchback, introduced back in 1986. In 1992, the Civic Si was the first North American Honda to use the company’s competition-developed ``VTEC” variable valve timing technology. The Si badge disappeared in the mid 1990s, to be re-introduced on a hot version of the Civic coupe in 1999 and 2000. It took a year and a half after the debut of the latest-generation Civic for the Si to reappear, but it was worth the wait. In 2002, the Civic Si hatchback was back, with new styling and hotter than ever, with a 2.0-liter engine that had the same 160 horsepower as the previous-generation Si’s 1.6-liter, but much more torque, for easier, more relaxed driving characteristics.