Introduction: The Civic Del Sol (Spanish for "of the Sun") marked Honda's return to the two seat sports car after the demise of the CRX in 1991. Available only as a targa top convertible, the Del Sol managed to breath some fun (and a little excitement) into the Honda lineup before its own demise in 1997.
1993 Honda Civic Del Sol
The Honda Civic Del Sol debuted as a two seat targa top convertible based on the Honda Civic. Not a true convertible, the Civic Del Sol featured a removeable hardtop that stowed in the trunk and a retractable rear window for that "convertible" feel. It was offered in two trims. The base "S" model came with a 1.5 liter SOHC 16-valve four cylinder engine and rode on tiny 13" wheels and tires. The uplevel "Si" model came standard with a 1.6 liter SOHC 16-valve four cylinder engine with Honda's VTEC technology for more power. The Si also came with 14" alloy wheels, power side mirrors, cruise control, and an anti-sway bar for improved handling. The only options on both models were a rear spoiler and floor mats. Unfortunately, the Civic Del Sol didn't really offer that much of a performance boost and the targa top was prone to leaks and noise.
Engines: S: 1.5 I4 102 bhp @ 5900 rpm, 98 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm. Si: 1.6 SOHC I4 125 bhp @ 6600 rpm, 106 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm.
Engines: S: 1.5 I4 102 bhp @ 5900 rpm, 98 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm. Si: 1.6 SOHC I4 125 bhp @ 6600 rpm, 106 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm.
1994 Honda Civic Del Sol
The Honda Civic Del Sol finally gained some performance for 1994 with the addition of a new top-line model, the Civic Del Sol "VTEC." The "VTEC" name was used to describe a new DOHC engine with VTEC that produced 160 bhp, 35 bhp more than the Si engine. The problem was that the Si technically also had a VTEC engine, leading to some customer confusion. However, the new DOHC VTEC engine finally put the Del Sol on the performance map.
Engines: S: 1.5 I4 102 bhp @ 5900 rpm, 98 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm. Si: 1.6 SOHC I4 125 bhp @ 6600 rpm, 106 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm. VTEC: 1.6 DOHC I4 160 bhp @ 7600 rpm, 111 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm.
Engines: S: 1.5 I4 102 bhp @ 5900 rpm, 98 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm. Si: 1.6 SOHC I4 125 bhp @ 6600 rpm, 106 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm. VTEC: 1.6 DOHC I4 160 bhp @ 7600 rpm, 111 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm.
1995 Honda Del Sol
Honda officially became its own model series separate from the Civic and it was renamed the car the Honda Del Sol, although the car itself was relatively unchanged. New refinements included a trunk release latch added near the driver side seat, a low fuel indicator light was added, and new seat materials were used.
Engines: S: 1.5 I4 102 bhp @ 5900 rpm, 98 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm. Si: 1.6 SOHC I4 125 bhp @ 6600 rpm, 106 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm. VTEC: 1.6 DOHC I4 160 bhp @ 7600 rpm, 111 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm.
Performance: .
Engines: S: 1.5 I4 102 bhp @ 5900 rpm, 98 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm. Si: 1.6 SOHC I4 125 bhp @ 6600 rpm, 106 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm. VTEC: 1.6 DOHC I4 160 bhp @ 7600 rpm, 111 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm.
Performance: .
1996 Honda Del Sol
1996 was rumored to be the last year for the Del Sol, although it would survive for one more year. Rumors persisted about poor quality, and the early leaking roofs and faulty auxillary lighting (the bulbs burned out too quickly), hurt sales. The rumors seemed confirmed when the 1996 front bumper was redesigned that eliminated the holes needed to fit auxillary lights and low side vents were added. The base engine in the S model was increased to 1.6 liters, resulting in a slight power gain. The Si engine also received a very minor power gain. The top of the line VTEC engine remained the same.
1997 Honda Del Sol
1997 would be the last year for the Honda Del Sol. A victim of questionable reliability and poor sales, it would ride off into the sunset.
Engines: S: 1.6 I4 106 bhp @ 6200 rpm, 103 lb-ft @ 4600 rpm. Si: 1.6 SOHC I4 127 bhp @ 6600 rpm, 107 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm. VTEC: 1.6 DOHC I4 160 bhp @ 7600 rpm, 111 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm.
Engines: S: 1.6 I4 106 bhp @ 6200 rpm, 103 lb-ft @ 4600 rpm. Si: 1.6 SOHC I4 127 bhp @ 6600 rpm, 107 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm. VTEC: 1.6 DOHC I4 160 bhp @ 7600 rpm, 111 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm.