2024 CASE G version: White with Carbon Fiber hood, red interior, and gold wheels

The Honda Civic Si, a symbol of performance and precision, made its mark during the late '90s and early 2000s as a sporty iteration of the sixth-generation Honda Civic, available from 1999 to 2000. Exclusively offered in the coupe body style, this car was powered by a spirited 1.6L B16A2 inline-4 engine. While the Si designation was primarily used in the United States, Japan favored the SiR and Type R labels, and Europe embraced the VTi. Despite its relatively short production cycle, the Honda Civic Si garnered a devoted and passionate following.

The Hot Wheels casting faithfully replicates a specific 2000 Honda Civic Si that was an entrant in the Honda Civic Si Challenge. This unique competition brought together four prominent automotive magazines (Car and Driver, Sport Compact Car, Super Street, and Popular Mechanics) with the shared objective of transforming a pre-production 2000 Honda Civic Si into a customized masterpiece, all within the constraints of a $10,000 budget and a tight deadline of September 30, 1999. The judging criteria encompassed appearance, performance, and emissions. The build was skillfully overseen by Dave Martis.

The modifications made to this Honda Civic Si were extensive and included a Wings West Avenger body kit, Progress Group coilovers, a JUN Auto Mechanic-tuned naturally-aspirated B16A2 engine, a short-ratio transmission, titanium exhaust, and ECU programming. The engine tuning was expertly handled by Susumu Koyama. Additional enhancements featured a Honda Optional Equipment wing, a Versus Motorsports carbon fiber hood, Endless brake pads, Cusco LSD, Car Craft custom interior, a Modern Image wrap, and 225/40R16 Yokohama A038 tires. The car affectionately earned the nickname "Ichiban," which translates to "No. 1," or simply "Itchy" for short. Notably, it emerged as the victor in the competition.

Currently, this iconic vehicle resides in Honda America's exclusive collection and, while not street-legal, has made appearances at various SEMA events. It remains a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of automotive enthusiasts.

The Hot Wheels casting of this Honda Civic Si was introduced into the mainline in 2001, thanks to the design work of Alec Tam, with invaluable contributions from Dave Martis and Eric Tscherne in graphics. In 2021, the casting underwent significant retooling, with a comprehensive update that included no shared components with the original model. This refreshed casting introduced notable enhancements, such as side mirrors and a glass moonroof, features absent in the initial version. Additionally, the redesign involved the removal of the front passenger windows, a slightly modified body kit with a fresh hood style, a taller rear wing, an updated interior, and a lower ride height. The new iteration of this casting is notably shorter and wider, bringing a fresh perspective to this iconic vehicle.