Honda CR-X del Sol

Honda Civic Del Sol
Manufacturer	Honda
Also called	Honda Civic del Sol
Production	1992–1997
Predecessor	Honda CR-X
Successor	Honda Insight
Class	Sport compact
Engine(s)	D15B7 1.5L 102 hp I4 D16Z6 1.6L 125 hp (93 kW) I4 B16A3 1.6L 160 hp (120 kW) I D16Y7 1.6L 106 hp (79 kW) I4 D16Y8 1.6L 127 hp (95 kW) I4 B16A3 1.6L 160 hp (120 kW) I4 1994-1996 OBD1 B16A2 1.6L 160 hp (120 kW) I4 1996-1997 OBD2
Transmission(s)	4-Speed Automatic Overdrive 5-Speed Manual Overdrive
Wheelbase	2370 mm (93.3 in)
Length	4005 mm (157.6 in)
Width	1695 mm (66.7 in)
Height	1255 mm (49.4 in)
Fuel capacity	45 L (11.9 U.S. gal)
Related	Honda Civic Honda CR-V

The Honda Civic del Sol was a 2-seater 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 in the Americas.

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 Japanese VXi version, came with a Honda D15B engine. This was an entry level VTEC engine that produces 130 bhp (97 kW/132 PS), matching the power of the 1.6 Si version.

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 in the United States, 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, an automatic transmission(not available on the VTEC model), and air conditioning.

TransTop

An option that was available in Japan and Europe was the TransTop, 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.

See video here at StreetFire.net:

Model Updates:

Changes For 1994:

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

Changes For 1995:

• Redesigned targa top seals
• Anti-Lock Brakes (VTEC model) 2,522 base weight now
• Power Locks
• Remote Trunk Release
• New seat materials
• Low Fuel light
• New alloy wheel design

Changes For 1996:

• Elimination of front auxiliary 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 127 hp Civic Engine and also the suspension and steering of the 160 hp (120 kW) VTEC.
• All del Sols now have 1.6 liter engines: 106, 127 and 160 hp (120 kW).