Honda CR-X
The Honda CR-X, originally launched as the Honda Ballade Sports CR-X in Japan, is a compact sports car manufactured by Honda. The first generation CR-X was sold in some regions outside Japan as the Honda Civic CR-X. The "CR-X" name is said by some to stand for "Civic Renaissance-Experimental".
The Mk 1 Honda Civic CR-X was first produced in 1983 and is a lightweight sport hatchback. In the US market, the CR-X was marketed as an economy sport hatchback, having room for just two passengers. European markets, however, received a more powerful 130 hp engine and four seats.
Redesigned in 1988 through 1991, the Mk2 CR-X was very popular for its performance (specifically the USDM performance model, Si), nimble handling, and good fuel economy—the USDM CR-X HF model could reliably achieve better than 50 miles per gallon, more than a decade before gas-electric hybrids appeared on the market.
One of the rarest options for the CRX was the Cyber Glass roof, it stretched from the top of the windshield, and went all the way back to the hatch opening, the roof was brown in color and is extremly rare.
The Mk2 Japanese Si and European 16v models came with a 1.6 DOHC engine putting out 128 bhp. The Si engine was stamped ZC, whilst the 16v stamped D16A9. Honda refreshed the looks of the car in these markets in 1990 when it added the B16A VTEC engine in the 150 bhp VT and 160 bhp SiR models in the UK & Europe and Japan respectively. The CR-X was the second car to receive a Honda VTEC engine after the Integra.
The Mk 2 CR-X was replaced in 1993 by the Mk 3 CR-X del Sol, a targa top 2-seater again based on the Civic platform. The del Sol was discontinued in 1997 for US markets and 1998 for other markets.
There have been many rumours of a CR-X comback, none of which have come to fruition. However, In August 2005 the usually reliable Autoweek reported that Honda plans a revival of the CR-X brand that is sheduled to be on the market in 2007. No official announcement has been made by Honda.
Awards
The Civic CR-X was Motor Trends 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 Trends Import Car of the Year for 1988.
Mk 1 Honda Civic CR-X
CR-X HF (USDM)
CR-X Si (USDM)
- Weight - 897 kg (1977 lb)
- Engine - D15A3, SOHC 12-valve
- Power - 91 hp (66 kW) @ 5,500 rpm / 93 ft·lbf @ 4,500 rpm
CR-X (Unlabeled, but actually a DX) (USDM)
- Weight - 878 kg (1936 lb)
- Engine - EW1, SOHC 12-valve (3 barrel carburetor)
- Power - 76 hp (58 kW) / 85 ft·lbf
CR-X (UKDM)
- Weight - 878 kg (1936 lb)
- Engine - D16A8, DOHC 16-valve (injection)
- Power - 123 hp (58 kW)
Mk 2 Honda CR-X
USDM
CRX Si (1991)
- Weight - 2,174 lb
- Engine - Honda D16A6 SOHC 16-valve I4
- Power - 108 hp @ 6,000 rpm / 100 ft·lbf @ 5,000 rpm
European domestic market (EDM)
CRX 1.6i-16 (ED9)
CRX 1.6i-VT (EE8)
Standard equipment:
- Alloy wheels (14")
- Full leather seats (Embrioded with CR-X VTEC in Red Stitching)
- Electric sunroof
- Electric windows
- Electric mirrors
Optional equipment:
- Rubber dash mat (rare)
- Air conditioning (rare, +~20 kg/44 lb)
- CR-X mats + mud flaps
Japanese domestic market (JDM)
CR-X 1.5X (twincarb) (EF6)
- Weight - 840 kg (1852 lb)
- Engine - D15, SOHC
- Power - 98 hp SAE (73 kW)
Optional equipment:
- Glass roof (+10 kg/22 lb)
- Sun roof (+20 kg/44 lb)
CR-X Si (EF7)
- Weight - 890 kg (1962 lb)
- Engine - ZC, 16-valve DOHC
- Power - 128 hp SAE (95 kW)
CR-X SiR (EF8)
Standard equipment:
- Air conditioning
- Alloy wheels
- Half-leather seats
- Power steering
Optional equipment:
- ABS (+~20 kg/44 lb)
- Climate control
- "CR-X" mats + mud flaps
- Glass roof (+10 kg/22 lb)
- Sun roof (+20 kg/44 lb)
- Centre arm rest
- Rubber dash mat (rare, possible option)
- Folding electric mirrors (electric mirrors are standard)
- LSD (Limited Slip Differential)
External links
- The CRX Community Forum - Friendly and helpful community of CRX afficionados.
- CRX Resource - Serving the CRX Community (off and on) since 1995.
- The Honda CRX Performance Forum - One of the oldest performance forums for CRX owners. No rice. Lots of expertise.
- Atlantic Canada CRX
- Red Pepper Racing THE mark 1 CR-X forum also includes, manuals, FAQ, galleries
- UK CRX owners club
- JDM CRX Resource and Forum
- Some very complete vehicle details (currently dead - maybe will revive in the future)
- Honda CRX workshop manual for the Mk 2 (it is officially free)
- The largest Honda forum on the internet
- Honda Press Library - CR-X series - official library of original press information and "fact books" on all of the CR-X series (in Japanese, though contains many images including concept artwork)
