Honda CR-X
This article is about the first and second generation CR-Xs, for the third generation version, see Honda CR-X delSol.
| Honda CR-X | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Honda |
| Production | 1983–1991 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car |
| Body style | 2-door hatchback |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Related | Honda Civic Acura Integra Honda Integra |
| Powertrain | |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Honda CR-X delSol, Honda CR-Z |
| First generation | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1984–1987 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.3 L 58 hp I4 1.3 L 60 hp EV1 I4 (1984-1986) 1.5 L 58-76 hp EW1/D15A2 I4 (1984-85) 1.5 L 91 hp EW3/4 I4 (1985-87) AU/NZ Spec: 1.5 L 108 hp EW5/D15A3 I4 (1985-1987) |
| Second generation | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1988–1991 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | US Spec: 1.5 L 62 hp D15B6 I4 (1988-89) 72 hp D15B6 I4 (1990-91) 1.5 L 92 hp D15B2 I4 1.6 L 105 HP D16A6 I4 (1988) 1.6 L 108 hp D16A6 I4 (1989-91) JDM/EDM Spec: 1.4 L 90 hp D14A1 I4 1.6 L 136 hp I4 1.6 L 130 hp D16A9 I4 1.6 L VTEC 170 hp B16A1 I4 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 90.6 in |
| Length | 148.5 in (1990-91) 147.8 in (1988-89) |
| Width | 65.9 in (1990-91) 65.7 in (1988-89) |
| Height | 50.1 in (1990-91) 50 in (1988-89) |
The Honda CR-X, originally launched as the Honda Ballade Sports CR-X in Japan, was a compact front-wheel-drive sports car manufactured by Honda. The first generation CR-X was sold in some regions outside Japan as the Honda Civic CR-X. The name "CR-X" and what its acronym stands for is widely disputed, the most popular being "Civic Renaissance model X".
The Honda Civic CR-X was first produced in 1984 and was a lightweight sport hatchback. In the American market, the CR-X was marketed as an economy sport hatchback, having room for just two passengers. European markets, however, received a more powerful ZC 130 hp engine and 2+2 seats. Redesigned in 1987 and produced to 1991, the CR-X was popular for its performance, nimble handling, and good fuel economy. In the US its performance model, the Si (note: 1590cc SOHC (D16A6) engined, unlike the JDM Si 1590cc (ZC) DOHC), was a favorite. Honda's 1992 delSol was marketed as a CR-X in some markets.
The original 1.3 liter car and the later American-market CR-X HF (High Fuel economy) model could 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 1.3 liter was rated (at current ratings) at 41 mpg city and 50 mpg highway.[1] The Japanese Si and European 1.6i-16 models came with a 1590cc DOHC engine putting out 130 bhp. Though similar versions of the same engine, the Japanese Si engine was stamped ZC, whilst the European engine was stamped D16A9.
The R. Straman Company of Costa Mesa, CA converted 310 Honda CR-X's into convertibles from 1984 to 1987. The Straman-built CR-X Spyder was the cover car on July, 1984 issue of Road & Track Magazine. These conversions are known as coach convertibles.
The chassis was significantly changed in 1987 from its original torsion bar front and semi-independent rear, to fully independent wishbones all around in line with its sister Civic/Ballade models. Although Honda tried to update the look of the car with a new body, the end result looked very similar regardless. This generation 2 CR-X was available with a 1495cc sohc, or an updated version of the 1590cc DOHC ZC engine. Many of these were fitted with fuel injection as standard.
In September 1989 Honda also added the 1595cc B16A VTEC engine to the lineup. The VTEC engine used Variable Valve Timing and Lift to provide increased power in the high rev range, while still allowing low fuel consumption and better idling at low RPMs. The B16A produced 150 bhp in the European 1.6i-VT model (where the engine bore the designation B16A1) and 157 bhp in the JDM SiR model. The CR-X was the second car to receive a VTEC engine, shortly after the Integra, although the CR-X was more popular and common.
The VTEC-equipped models also received a makeover, with updated bumpers, lights, bonnet/hood, brakes, suspension and dashboard design amongst other things. Additionally, some of these design changes were added to the concurrent non-VTEC models.
One of the options for the Japan-market 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.
In 1992, Honda replaced the CR-X with a new, Targa topped, Civic-based model called the Honda Civic delSol, otherwise known as simply the Honda delSol. The delSol was also badged as the CR-X delSol in some markets, and known as simply the CR-X in others. It is because of this that the delSol is generally considered the "3rd Generation CR-X" among enthusiasts, although it was arguably a very different car and Honda had seemingly quite different design goals when they built it. In the United States, the delSol came in three trim lines: S, Si, and VTEC; the 1994-1997 models featured a 160hp DOHC VTEC-engine. Production of the delSol ended in 1997, and thus, the CR-X line was retired.
There have been many rumours of a CR-X comeback, none of which have come to fruition. The newest rumour involves the Honda REMIX concept which was presented at a recent Los Angeles International Auto Show. Designer Ben Davidson denies that any design elements were taken from the CR-X and Honda also claims there are no production plans for the REMIX; it was simply a design exercise.
The latest rumor as of July 2007, was that the CR-X would return in 2011 as a hybrid.[1] [2]
Honda has debuted a new sporty compact hybrid hatchback, dubbed the CR-Z, at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. Although Honda has repeatedly stated that the name CR-Z stands for "Compact Renaissance Zero", many believe that this is the latest incarnation of the CR-X, given its exterior design as well as its function as a compact sports car. Honda has confirmed that the CR-Z will go into production, along with the FCX concept, in 2009.[3]
Awards
The Civic CR-X was Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year for 1984. It also made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1985. The redesigned CR-X was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1988. The CR-X Si was Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year for 1988. The 1988 CR-X Si was named one of Road & Track's 10 Best Cars of All Time.
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 a crash.[2] But, on the other hand, both versions of the CR-X (the 1984-1987 and the 1987-1991 one) got good safety marks (5 and 4 stars) in the NHTSA Crash Test Results For 1997 US NCAP[3]
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[4] which soldiered on a few years after the series 3 was introduced and was popular for showroom stock racing series. Nowadays, the car is popular for drag, autocross, and road racing events.
References
(1987), p. 21-22.
- AutoZine - Article on the CR-X
- CRX Resource - Main CR-X Internet Resource
- JDM CR-X Resource An information resource for Japanese Domestic Market CR-X Models.
- CRX Hackist Specific information site for JDM CR-X owners, guides and history.
- The CRX Page - First-generation info, technical specifications, gallery, scans, and media.
- CRX Resource - Serving the CR-X Community (off and on) since 1995.
- Tuner-Junction - Community made up of a large CR-X owner base
- Honda Press Library - CRX series - official library of original press information and "fact books" on all of the CRX series (in Japanese, though contains many images including concept artwork)
- 1984 Mugen Honda CR-X
- ZC Resource - Source for info on the Japanese CR-X engine known as the ZC
