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| Honda CRX (Del Sol) |
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| Production: | 1992-1998 |
| Body styles: | Coupe/Targa |
| Engines: | 1.6i 16v (VTI) |
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The Honda CR-X del Sol was a two-seater version of the Honda Civic, first launched in 1992 by Honda (1993 in the U.S.), and replacing the
Honda CR-X model line. It had a removable targa top that, when not in use, could be stowed in the trunk via a storage rack that left 90%
of the trunkspace open. In 1994 ABS became standard on the VTEC trim level, while 4 wheel disc brakes and dual airbags were standard on the
SI trim level making it a small, practical, and affordable convertible.
The del Sol was first introduced to North America in 1993 in two trim levels, The S and the SI. The powerful VTEC trim line was added in
1994, with the first appearance of a 160 hp (119 kW) Honda DOHC VTEC B-series engine in a US-spec Honda. Smooth and powerful, with a high
redline, the B16A3 is the same powerplant found in the Civic Si-R. There are a large number of aftermarket parts available, from NOS to a
turbo kit. This trim level came with bigger brakes, rims, and tires to handle the extra power, but finding these for sale now is rare.
In 1992 (European model) an optional electric roof was available on the VTi model, this became standard in 1995 on the ESi model. The roof
is operated by flicking two catches above the windows then holding a button down, the boot lid raises vertically then the roof slides into
the boot lid, the lid then lowers back down with the roof still inside it.
The del Sol line underwent a slight alteration in 1996 (which included dropping the 'Civic' from the name 'Civic del Sol' and removing
the two auxiliary headlamps) in an attempt to boost sales, but uncharacteristically poor body maintenance (the targa tops were prone to
leaks in early models) and poor promotion had all but doomed the del Sol. Production and sales ended with the 1997 model in the U.S. and
1998 elsewhere, with a total of slightly fewer than 75,000 models sold in America.
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material
from the Wikipedia article Honda CRX Del Sol.
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