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Honda CR-X del Sol

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Honda Civic Del Sol
Overview
ManufacturerHonda
Also calledHonda Civic del Sol
Production1992–1997
Body and chassis
ClassSport compact
RelatedHonda Civic
Honda CR-V
Powertrain
EngineD15B7 1.5L 102 hp I4

D16Z6 1.6L 125 hp I4
B16A3 1.6L 160 hp I4
D16Y7 1.6L 106 hp I4
D16Y8 1.6L 125 hp I4

B16A2 1.6L 160 hp I4
Transmission4-Speed Automatic Overdrive
5-Speed Manual Overdrive
Dimensions
Wheelbase2370 mm (93.3 in)
Length4005 mm (157.6 in)
Width1695 mm (66.7 in)
Height1255 mm (49.4 in)
Chronology
PredecessorHonda CR-X

The Honda Civic del Sol, also known as the Honda del Sol and Honda CR-X in some markets, was a two seat, targa top convertible manufactured by Honda in the 1990s. Based on the Civic platform, the Del Sol was the successor to the popular Honda CR-X. It debuted in 1992 in Japan and the United Kingdom, and 1993 in the United States.

The Spanish name del sol translates as of the sun, and refers to the car's opening roof. It was not a full convertible, featuring a removable hardtop that stowed in the trunk and a retractable rear window for that "convertible" feel. Trunk space was reduced from 10.5cf to 8.3cf while the targa was stowed.

In many markets the CR-X naming convention was dropped from the del Sol line as it was distinctly different from earlier models, which were hatchbacks and not targas. Starting with the 1995 models, Honda dropped the 'Civic' name from the del Sol.

The del Sol underwent a slight alteration in the non-European markets in 1996 (which included removing the two auxiliary headlamps) in an attempt to boost sales, but uncharacteristically poor body build quality[citation needed] (the targa tops were prone to leaks in early models) and poor promotion[citation needed] 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.

Specification

The del Sol was first introduced to North America in 1993 in two trim levels, The S and the SI. The base "S" model (called the VXi in Japan) came with a 1.5 liter SOHC 16-valve four cylinder engine and rode on 13" steel wheels.

The uplevel "Si" (called the "ESi" in Europe) model came standard with a 1.6 liter SOHC 16-valve four cylinder engine with Honda's VTEC. The Si also came with 14" alloy wheels which were offered in an optional body color-matched paint scheme on Samba Green models, power side mirrors, cruise control, rear disc brakes and a front anti-sway bar for improved handling.

The VTEC trim level (called the "SiR" in Japan and the "VTi" in Europe) was added in 1994, with the first appearance of a 160 hp (119 kW) Honda DOHC VTEC B-series engine in a U.S.-spec Honda; similar to the B16A found in the Civic Si-R. This trim level came with bigger front brakes, larger front anti-sway bar, additional rear anti-sway bar and wider tires.

On all models, the only options were a rear spoiler, custom floor mats, and air conditioning.

Trans Top

An option that was available in Japan and Europe was the Trans Top, an electric mechanism which retracted the targa top into the trunk via a push of a button. In Europe it was available on the Esi and VTi models. The roof is operated by flicking two catches above the windows, then holding down a button. The trunk lid raises vertically and extends two arms into the targa top, after which you flick the latches back up. Then the targa gets pulled into the trunk lid, and the trunk lid lowers back down with the targa inside it.

Model Updates:

Changes For 1994:

  • Added VTEC engine option with improved suspension
  • Dual airbags standard

Changes For 1995:

  • Redisigned targa top seals
  • Anti-Lock Brakes (VTEC model) 2,522 base weight now
  • Power Locks
  • Remote Trunk Release
  • New seat materials
  • Low Gasoline Lamp

Changes For 1996:

  • Elimination of front auxilary headlamps
  • Small airdam / rear deck aesthetic treatment
  • New front bumper and air dam.
  • Length increase to 157.7"
  • The base del Sol S gets the 106-hp 1.6-liter engine for a four-horse boost over previous year's 1.5-liter.
  • The del Sol Si gets the 1996 127hp Civic Engine and also the suspension and steering of the 160-hp VTEC.
  • All del Sols now have 1.6 liter engines: 106, 127 and 160-hp.

Sales

Number of Del Sols sold in USA:

1993 25,748
1994 21,075
1995 14,021
1996 8,489
1997 5,603
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