The Honda CR-X (styled in some markets as Honda CRX), originally launched as the
Honda Ballade Sports CR-X in Japan, is a front-wheel-drive sport compact car manufactured by
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational conglomerate manufacturer of automobiles, motorcycles, and power equipment, headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan.
Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, reaching a product ...
from 1983 until 1991. The first generation CRX was marketed in some regions outside Japan as the Honda Civic CRX. Although there are many supposed definitions for the acronym CR-X, the most widely accepted is "Civic Renaissance Experimental".
In the U.S., the CRX was marketed as an economy sport
Kammback
A Kammback—also known as a Kamm tail or K-tail—is an :Automotive styling features, automotive styling feature wherein the rear of the car slopes downwards before being abruptly cut off with a vertical or near-vertical surface. A Kammback imp ...
with room for two passengers while Japanese and European market cars came with a
2+2 seating arrangement. Redesigned for the 1988 model year and produced until 1991, the CRX was popular for its performance, nimble handling, and good fuel economy. The CR-X was replaced by Honda's
CR-X del Sol and was marketed as a CR-X in some markets.
__TOC__
First generation
Overview
In 1983 for the 1984 model year, Honda introduced an all-new two-seater that shared the drivetrain with the Civic but offered unique styling and interior furnishings. At its introduction, the CR-X was available in Japan through ''
Honda Verno
is a Japanese public multinational conglomerate manufacturer of automobiles, motorcycles, and power equipment, headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan.
Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, reaching a product ...
'' dealership sales channels, and accompanied the
Vigor
Vigor or vigour may refer to:
Companies
* Vigor S.A., a Brazilian food company
* Vigor Industrial, an American shipbuilding, ship repair, and industrial service provider in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska
** Vigor Shipyards, four shipyards in Was ...
, the
Quint, and the
Prelude. In North America, the CRX was marketed in two versions: economy and sport. The economy model used a new aluminum 1.3-liter
CVCC
CVCC, or , is an internal combustion engine technology developed and trademarked by the Honda Motor Company.
The technology's name refers to its primary features: Compound refers to the use of two combustion chambers; Vortex refers to the vor ...
4-cylinder engine. The sport model featured an aluminum 1.5-liter 12-valve 4-cylinder engine and available with a 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmission.
For 1985, Honda replaced the economy model with an HF (high fuel) model featuring a 1.5-liter engine which uses an aluminum block but the 1984 CVCC cylinder head (two valves per cylinder) instead of the new aluminum head with three valves per cylinder. In spring 1985, Honda introduced an Si (Sports, injected) model featuring a more powerful 1.5-liter
SOHC
An overhead camshaft (OHC) engine is a piston engine where the camshaft is located in the cylinder head above the combustion chamber. This contrasts with earlier overhead valve engines (OHV), where the camshaft is located below the combustion cha ...
PGM-FI
Programmed Fuel Injection, or PGMFI/PGM-FI, is the name given by Honda to a proprietary digital electronic fuel injection system for internal combustion engines with port injection. It is available since the early 1980s. This system has been impl ...
4-cylinder engine. The Si model included a power sunroof, standard dual remote exterior mirrors, rear wiper, 13-inch alloy wheels and an Si-exclusive ducktail spoiler for the hatch.
For 1986, Honda updated the CRX with new aerodynamic headlights. The Si received body color matched lower cladding, a revised rear spoiler, new bumper covers and 14-inch alloy wheels. The interior was upgraded and added a center console with
cassette tape
The Compact Cassette or Musicassette (MC), also commonly called the tape cassette, cassette tape, audio cassette, or simply tape or cassette, is an analog magnetic tape recording format for audio recording and playback. Invented by Lou Ottens ...
storage. 1987 was virtually unchanged from 1986 and would be the final year of the first generation CRX.
Inspiration
The CR-X design was inspired by the
Alfa Romeo GT Junior Zagato which the Honda CR-X designer owned.
Japanese and European market drivetrain
The Japanese Si and European 1.6i-16 models came with a 1.6-litre 16-valve
DOHC
An overhead camshaft (OHC) engine is a piston engine where the camshaft is located in the cylinder head above the combustion chamber. This contrasts with earlier overhead valve engines (OHV), where the camshaft is located below the combustion c ...
4-cylinder
engine
An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert one or more forms of energy into mechanical energy.
Available energy sources include potential energy (e.g. energy of the Earth's gravitational field as exploited in hydroelectric power gen ...
putting out in the UK-spec model and in the
JDM model. Though similar versions of the same engine, the Japanese Si engine was stamped ZC, while the European engine was stamped ZC1.
Japanese buyers took advantage of the largest, 1.5 L, engine while still paying the same amount of annual
road tax
Road tax, known by various names around the world, is a tax which has to be paid on, or included with, a motorised vehicle to use it on a public road.
National implementations Australia
All states and territories require an annual vehicle registra ...
.
Fuel economy
The original 1.3-liter car (chassis code AE532) had an EPA highway mileage rating of in 1984 and was reported to often achieve over in favorable driving conditions. The later 1.5-liter American-market CRX HF (high fuel economy) model (chassis codes EC1 and AF) could also reliably achieve very good gas mileage, more than a decade before gas-electric
hybrids appeared on the market, and at no price premium over the base model; the 1.5-liter is rated by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent executive agency of the United States federal government tasked with environmental protection matters. President Richard Nixon proposed the establishment of EPA on July 9, 1970; it be ...
(EPA) (under the new rating system) at city and highway.
U.S. model curb weights
Second generation
Overview
![Hondacrxsirstock](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/Hondacrxsirstock.jpg)
The Honda CR-X was completely redesigned by late 1987 for the 1988 model year. The wheelbase increased overall, length increased by and width is nearly wider than the previous model. The suspension was completely redesigned. Honda abandoned the original torsion bar in the front and beam axle with trailing link in the rear in favor of a 4-wheel double-wishbone suspension. The larger design and revised suspension brought improvements in handling as well passenger and cargo space versus the previous generation.
The CR-X received a mild refresh for the 1990 model year. The VTEC equipped models also received a makeover with updated bumpers, lights,
hood
Hood may refer to:
Covering
Apparel
* Hood (headgear), type of head covering
** Article of Academic dress#Hood, academic dress
** Bondage hood, sex toy
* Hoodie, hooded sweatshirt
Anatomy
* Clitoral hood, a hood of skin surrounding the clitori ...
, brakes, suspension and dashboard design amongst other features. Additionally, some of these design changes were added to the concurrent non-VTEC models.
One of the options for the
Japanese Domestic Market
Japanese domestic market (JDM) refers to Japan's home market for vehicles and vehicle parts.
There is a common misconception that any Japanese branded car is JDM; however, this is not true. Only a vehicle made in Japan specifically to be sold i ...
(JDM) CR-X was a glass roof, a fixed glass panel which stretched from the top of the windshield to the top of the hatch opening. Relatively common in Japan, these are sought-after models in other markets.
Japanese and European market drivetrain
Outside of North America, the second generation CR-X was available with a 1.5-litre SOHC 4-cylinder engine or an updated version of the 1.6-litre DOHC 4-cylinder (ZC) engine. Many of these were fitted with fuel injection as standard.
In September 1989, Honda added the 1.6-litre 16-valve
DOHC
An overhead camshaft (OHC) engine is a piston engine where the camshaft is located in the cylinder head above the combustion chamber. This contrasts with earlier overhead valve engines (OHV), where the camshaft is located below the combustion c ...
VTEC
VTEC (Variable Valve Timing & Lift Electronic Control) is a system developed by Honda to improve the volumetric efficiency of a four-stroke internal combustion engine, resulting in higher performance at high RPM, and lower fuel consumption at low ...
4-cylinder
B16A engine to the lineup outside of North America. The VTEC (variable valve timing and lift electronic control) engine provided increased power at high RPMs while still allowing low fuel consumption and better idling at low RPMs. The B16A produced in the European 1.6i-VT model (where the engine bore the designation B16A1) and in the JDM SiR model. The CR-X was the second car to receive a DOHC VTEC engine, shortly after the
Honda Integra XSi.
The CR-X equipped with the 1.6-litre DOHC 4-cylinder engine or the 1.6-litre DOHC VTEC 4-cylinder engine came with a different bonnet since the twin-cam engines were taller and required additional bonnet clearances in comparison to the SOHC engines. The 1.6 DOHC engine was only slightly taller than the 1.6-litre SOHC engine and required a different bonnet with a bump on one side which offered the additional necessary clearance to clear the cam gear cover. Cars equipped with a 1.6-litre DOHC VTEC 4-cylinder engine came with a bonnet that was raised across most of the engine bay to offer additional overall clearance for the taller engine.
In some LHD European markets there was also the option of the D14A1 engine with automatic gearbox which featured twin carbs and no PGMFI.
US market
In the US, three different trim levels were available: The standard (unlabeled, sometimes called the "DX") equipped with the 1.5-liter 16-valve dual-point fuel injection 4-cylinder
D15B2 engine, the HF ("high
fuel efficiency
Fuel efficiency is a form of thermal efficiency, meaning the ratio of effort to result of a process that converts chemical potential energy contained in a carrier (fuel) into kinetic energy or work. Overall fuel efficiency may vary per device, wh ...
") model with the 1.5-liter 8-valve multi-point fuel injection (MPFI) 4-cylinder
D15B6 engine, or the Si (sport injected) model with the 1.6-liter 16-valve MPFI 4-cylinder
D16A6 engine. The base model was available with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission while the HF and Si only offered a 5-speed manual transmission. A modification made to the rear on all second generation vehicles is a heavily stippled black glass panel installed on the upper half of the rear of the vehicle, above the tail lights which aided in rearward visibility.
Features and equipment
Air conditioning was a dealer-installed option on all models. The Si model came with a power sliding
sunroof
A sunroof is a movable panel that opens to uncover a window in an automobile roof, allowing light and fresh air to enter the passenger compartment. Sunroofs can be manually operated or motor driven, and are available in many shapes, sizes and styl ...
, a rear wiper and 14-inch alloy wheels. Underneath, the Si model was equipped with a rear
anti-sway bar
An anti-roll bar (roll bar, anti-sway bar, sway bar, stabilizer bar) is a part of many automobile suspensions that helps reduce the body roll of a vehicle during fast cornering or over road irregularities. It connects opposite (left/right) wheel ...
along with variable ratio rack-and-pinion steering. The 90-91 Si models had 4-wheel disc brakes.
Colors and trim
There were a total of six colors offered each model year. Four color options were available on the CRX and CRX Si and two color options were available for the CRX HF. Color availability would vary based on trim package and the interior color would depend on the exterior color choice.
Changes by model year USDM
1988
*First year of the second generation CRX.
1989
*Si and base model (DX) change to door mounted seatbelts to comply with federal regulations. Revision due to automatic seatbelt requirements.
*Si model's horsepower increased to ( in 1988) due to revised camshaft.
1990
*Minor changes to headlights, bumpers and taillights.
*Instrument cover slightly more rounded.
*Hazard switch relocated to the dash.
*Si models now with four-wheel disc brakes.
*Si models receive updated 14-inch alloy wheels.
*Blade Silver color is discontinued and replaced by Polar white
1991
*Barbados yellow is replaced by Tahitian green on the Si model.
*Final year of the second generation CRX.
Production by model year
Curb weights
Third generation
![1992 Honda CRX Del-Sol (37026958816)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/1992_Honda_CRX_Del-Sol_%2837026958816%29.jpg)
In 1992, Honda replaced the CR-X with a new,
targa top
Targa top, or targa for short, is a semi-convertible car body style with a removable roof section and a full width roll bar behind the seats. The term was first used on the 1966 Porsche 911 Targa, and it remains a registered trademark of Porsch ...
ped, Civic-based model called the
Honda CR-X del Sol
The Honda CR-X del Sol (marketed in other markets as the Honda Civic del Sol, Honda del Sol and the Honda CRX) is a two-seater targa top car manufactured by Honda from 1992 until 1998. Despite the body resemblance to a mid-engine car design, the ...
. The CR-X del Sol was also badged as the Civic del Sol and later the del Sol in some markets, and known simply as the CR-X in others. It is because of this that the del Sol is generally considered the "third generation CR-X" among enthusiasts. In the United States, the del Sol came in three trim lines: S (VXi in Japan, later VGi), Si (ESi in Europe), and VTEC (VTi in Europe); the JDM SiR model featured a 1.6-liter B16 SiR-II DOHC VTEC 4-cylinder engine. Production of the del Sol ended in 1997 in North America, elsewhere in 1998 and thus, the CR-X line was retired.
Comparison to other Honda vehicles
Articles on the first generation
Honda Insight
The is a hybrid electric vehicle that is manufactured and marketed by Honda. Its first generation was a two-door, two passenger liftback (1999–2006) and in its second generation was a four-door, five passenger liftback (2009–2014). In its ...
have compared its appearance to that of the 1984–1991 CRX.
In 2010, thirteen years after the end of CRX production, Honda released the
CR-Z
The Honda CR-Z is a sport compact hybrid electric automobile manufactured by Honda and marketed as a "sport hybrid coupe." The CR-Z combines a hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain with traditional sports car elements, including a 2+2 seating arran ...
, regarded as the
spiritual successor
A spiritual successor (sometimes called a spiritual sequel) is a product or fictional work that is similar to, or directly inspired by, another previous work, but (unlike a traditional prequel or sequel) does not explicitly continue the product lin ...
to the CRX.
Awards
* 1984: The Honda CRX is named
''Motor Trend'''s "Import Car of the Year"
* 1985: The Honda CRX is included in
Car and Driver's 10Best
* 1988: The Honda CRX is included in
Car and Driver's 10Best
* 1988: The Honda CRX Si is named
''Motor Trend'''s "Import Car of the Year"
* 1988: The Honda CRX Si was named ''
Road & Track
''Road & Track'' (stylized as ''R&T'') is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. It is owned by Hearst Magazines and is published 6 times per year. The editorial offices are located in New York, New York.
History
''Road & Track'' (often ab ...
'' as "One of the Ten Best Cars"
* 1990: The Honda CRX is named
''Motor Trend'''s "Import Car of the Year"
Consumer reporter
David Horowitz
David Joel Horowitz (born January 10, 1939) is an American conservative writer. He is a founder and president of the right-wing David Horowitz Freedom Center (DHFC); editor of the Center's website ''FrontPage Magazine''; and director of Disco ...
tested the 1984 CRX's fuel economy claim in a "Commercial Challenge" on his TV series ''
Fight Back!'' Commercials for the CRX claimed it could reach 60 miles per gallon fuel economy; according to Horowitz's test, it bested that figure, reaching 65 miles per gallon, and passed the test.
Safety
In Australia, the 1988–1991 CR-X was assessed in the Used Car Safety Ratings 2006 as providing "significantly worse than average" protection for its occupants in the event of side impact. Both versions of the CR-X got good safety marks (4 and 5 stars) in the NHTSA Crash Test Results for 1997 US NCAP.
The US version of the second generation CR-X employed the use of side impact door beams on some models. These models can be identified by the mounting position of the safety belts. If the belt is mounted in the door, the beams are present. If the belt is mounted in the body, there is no additional reinforcement. 1988 and 1989 HFs along with 1988 Sis and base models have the B-pillar mounted restraints, like all versions sold outside of the US.
United States
The
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA ) is an agency of the U.S. federal government, part of the Department of Transportation. It describes its mission as "Save lives, prevent injuries, reduce vehicle-related crashes" rela ...
(NHTSA) in the United States has determined frontal crash test ratings of Honda CRX of different model years.
Motorsport
Like the Civic, due to the wide availability of parts, the CR-X is popular for motorsport usage. In the United Kingdom, there was a one-make series dedicated to the series 2 of the CR-X which soldiered on a few years after the series 3 was introduced and was popular for showroom stock racing series. Today, the car is popular for use in
drag,
autocross
Autocross (also called "Solo", "Auto-x" or "Autoslalom") is a timed competition in which drivers navigate one at a time through a defined course on either a sealed or an unsealed surface. It is a form of motorsports that emphasizes safe competition ...
and
road racing
Road racing is a form of motorsport racing held on a paved road surface. The races can be held either on a closed circuit or on a street circuit utilizing temporarily closed public roads. Originally, road races were held almost entirely on publ ...
events.
Twin-engine CRX
Project Synchronicity Honda CRX was a collaboration between American Honda and Racing Beat to install a second 1.5-liter engine with automatic transmission into the hatchback cargo area. The installation of the second powertrain "took six months and cost $20,000 dollars". Phase Two of the project was to have Racing Beat install two 1.8-liter engines with automatic transmissions from the Honda Accord into Synchronicity. The Honda CRX would be called Super Synchronicity because of the increase of performance from two larger engines. Both Honda Accord 1.8-liter powertrains were fuel injected and upgrades were made to the suspension. A
Mugen body kit and upgraded wheels were also installed.
Convertibles
The R. Straman Company of
Costa Mesa, CA
Costa Mesa (; Spanish for "Table Coast") is a city in Orange County, California. Since its incorporation in 1953, the city has grown from a semi-rural farming community of 16,840 to an urban area including part of the South Coast Plaza–John Wa ...
converted 310 Honda CRXs into convertibles from 1984 until 1987. The Straman-built CRX Spyder was the cover car on the July 1984 issue of ''Road & Track'' magazine.
References
External links
- official library of original press information and "fact books" on all of the CRX series (in Japanese, though contains many images including concept artwork)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Honda Cr-X
Honda vehicles, CR-X
CR-X
Front-wheel-drive sports cars
Cars introduced in 1983
Hatchbacks
Sport compact cars
1990s cars