Honda’s

GOODBYE CRX, hello
Civic Del Sol.

The stubby-tailed, fun-to-
drive CRX sports car has been
replaced by a larger, more refined,
‘open-topped sporty coupe called
the Civic Del Sol. The Del Sol is
still.a two-seat, front-wheel -drive
sporty car based on the subcom-
pact Civic, but it is longer,
heavier, and has a softer ride and
smoother performance than the
CRX. .

The transformation from pocket
rocket to open-air sporty coupe
represents a significant change for
Honda’s two-seat sporty car.
Sales of the CRX have been
dropping over the past couple of
years due to increasing competi-
tion from a growing number of

iantied chev tn ng mwa iy

Fri

Civic Dei Sol
new sporty car achieves excellent fuel economy

has sacrificed some of the spor-
tiness of the racy CRX. The

small, sporty cars. Honda is hop-
ing to reverse this trend with a
sports car designed to appeal to a
different, broader market than the
performance-oriented CRX.

Open-top motoring is one of
the Del sol’s most appealing
features. The lightweight alumi-
num roof panel weighs just 10kg
(23 bs), and can be removed and
stored in the trunk by one person
(with a little practice). A specially
designed panel-holder in the trunk
holds the top firmly in place while
driving. Even while the panel is in
the trunk, there’s stil} about % of
the trunk space left, and the panel
can be tilted upward with the
trunk lid to allow luggage to te
loaded.

There are two Civic Del Sol
models, a base S and a sporty Si.

photos submitted

THE HONDA Civic Dei Sol replaces the CRX in Honda's 1993
lineup. The two available four-cylinder engines and independent
suspension are based on the Civic and Civic Si, but the open-
topped styling is all new. The one-piece removable roof panel

can be stored in the roomy trunk.

a

The former is equipped with the
Civic’s 102-horsepower 1.5-litre,
single overhead cam four-cylinder
engine with four valves per cyi-
inder. The sporty Si is equipped
with a 125-horsepower SOHC
16-valve four-cylinder engine with
variable valve timing for greater
engine efficiency and fuel
economy. Both are available with
five-speed manual transmission or
four-speed automatic. .

Both engines are quite noisy
under hard acceleration, but
reasonably quiet at highway cruis-
ing speeds, the Si’s engine turning
over 2,900 rpm in the fifth gear at
100 kph. The Del Sol has more
horsepower than the CPX, but it
is 181 kilograms (400 Ibs) heavier,
sacrificing some performance.
However, the extra weight of the
Del Sol makes it feel more stable
and balanced, particularly over
dips and rises and during corner-
ing.

With a three-inch-longer
wheelbase, longer wheel travel,
and a refined suspension, the
Civic Del Sol’s ride is less choppy
and bumpy than the CRX. The
Del Sol is more civilized, but it

Price as tested (Si) $18,895

Base price (S) $16,795

Type two-door, two-passenger
targa-top sports car

Layout transverse front
engine/front-wheel drive
Engine 1.6-litre four-cylinder,
SOHC, 16-valve, variable vaive

suspension is an independent
four-wheel double wishbone setup
with coil springs and gas-
pressurized shocks. The Si adds a
front stabilizer bar for firmer
handling.

The five-speed manual
transmission is fun to use with
short, notchy throws, and the
four-speed automatic transmission
offers competent, smooth chang-
ing performance. Most buyers in
this sporty car class will probably
choose the manual transmission.

Power-assisted rack-and-pinion
steering is standard equipment on
the Si and the S model with
automatic transmission. However,
the S with manual five-speed of-
fers oniy non-assisted steering.

Base models have 13-inch radi-
als and a front disc/rear arum
brake setup, but the Si gets (grip-
pier) 14-inch radials and standard
disc brakes on all four wheels. An
anti-lock braking system is not
available, a serious omission on a
sports car.

At highway speeds, wind buf-
feting with the roof off is accept-

timing, electronic multi-point
fuel injection

Horsepower 125 @ 6,600 rpm
Terque 100 lbs ft @ 5,200 rpm
Transmission five-speed man-
ual (four-speed automatic)
Tires P185/60R14

Curb weight 1,085 kg/2,396 Ibs
Wheelbase 2,370 mm/93.3 in.
Length 3,995 mm/157.3 in.
Width 1,695 mm/66.7 in.

Shore News - 23

Qype ONT a cee pr!

Greg
Wilson

TEST GRIVE

able and even more acceptable
when the power-operated rear
window is lowered to improve air
flow. If it’s cool weather, the Del
Sol has special heater vents on the
sides of the console to warm the
passenger’s legs.

The interior is quite roomy for
two passengers, thanks to the Del
Sol’s longer wheelbase. A simple

set of round instruments, in-
See Del page 28

Height 1,255 mm/49.4 in.
Trunk space 10.5 cu.ft/297
litres (top out), 8.3 cu.ft/235
litres (top in)

Fuel economy City 8.3 1/100
km/34 mpg Hwy 6.5 1/100
km/44 mpg

Werranty Basic three yrs/
60,000 km. Powertrain five
yrs/100,000 km