Body style: Convertible (spider/spyder, cabrio/cabriolet, drop/open/soft top)
Segment: Compact
Production years: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
Honda made a bold move and attacked the affordable roadster market with a car based on a hatchback’s platform and offered a unique open-top mechanism for those who didn’t want to sit next to the vehicle and remove the roof’s midsection.
The second car ever developed by Honda was a roadster, the S500, and the Japanese automaker continued producing open-top vehicles throughout its history. But the Civic CRX del Sol was different than anything else on the market. It was a front-wheel drive open-top targa vehicle that could carry two and provide fun for all while still being able to be used as a daily driver thanks to its low running costs and the notorious Honda reliability proven not just by the del Sol but also by its sibling, the fifth-generation Civic.
With a front fascia that resembled its hatchback sibling, the del Sol featured a second pair of round lamps integrated into the upper side of the bumper. On the apron, Honda placed the broad air intake needed to cool the engine. The corner-mounted turn signals marked the car’s width.
From its profile, the CRX del Sol showed a rounded shape with a short cabin and roof, followed in the back by upright fat B-posts and a flat horizontal deck that ended the vehicle. The car’s low profile made the Japanese vehicle look tiny compared to other cars. Still, nevertheless, it was slightly larger than the CRX coupe. The light aluminum roof panel was easy to remove and store in the trunk on a designated cradle. As an option, the automaker offered a power-operated one named TransTop that could automatically raise the trunk’s lid, grab the top, and store it in the luggage compartment. It was a unique feature. The CRX del Sol was not a 100% convertible since its B-posts remained in place, serving as reinforcement elements and rollbars, but the rear window could slide down at the touch of a button, creating a true roadster experience.
Inside, the tiny cabin offered room for two people and had a shelf behind the seats. The rounded-designed dashboard featured a del Sol-specific instrument cluster, not shared with any other Civic. It even featured a warning lamp that indicated if the roof was securely latched in place. On the center stack, Honda placed the controls for the available AC unit and the stereo cassette player. Between the slim bucket seats, the center console housed the gear stick, the handbrake, and a small storage area.
Under its skin, the CRX del Sol hid a four-wheel independent suspension with disc brakes in all corners. Honda installed different engines depending on the market. The U.S.-spec version base model offered 102 HP (103 PS), while other markets received the 125 PS (123 hp) as the entry-level model. Top of the range was also a country-specific affair, and the most potent engine was offered in Japan for the del Sol SiR with its 170 PS (168 hp) inline-four VTEC powerplant.
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6i 5MT FWD (125 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1590 cm3 |
Power: | 92 KW @ 6500 RPM 125 HP @ 6500 RPM 123 BHP @ 6500 RPM |
Torque: | 105 lb-ft @ 5200 RPM 142 Nm @ 5200 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 118.1 mph (190 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 9.3 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 185/60R14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 157.5 in (4001 mm) |
Width: | 66.9 in (1699 mm) |
Height: | 49.6 in (1260 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 58.3/57.5 in (1,481/1,461 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 93.3 in (2370 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.5 in (140 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 10.6 cuFT (300 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 2270.8 lbs (1030 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 2910.1 lbs (1320 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
Combined: | 31.4 mpg US (7.5 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 178 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6L VTi 5MT FWD (160 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1590 cm3 |
Power: | 118 KW @ 7600 RPM 160 HP @ 7600 RPM 158 BHP @ 7600 RPM |
Torque: | 111 lb-ft @ 7000 RPM 150 Nm @ 7000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 130.5 mph (210 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.2 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 195/60R14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 157.5 in (4001 mm) |
Width: | 66.9 in (1699 mm) |
Height: | 49.6 in (1260 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 58.3/57.5 in (1,481/1,461 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 93.3 in (2370 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.5 in (140 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 10.6 cuFT (300 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 2381 lbs (1080 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3152.6 lbs (1430 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
Combined: | 30.9 mpg US (7.6 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 181 g/km |