About the Honda CRXThe legendary Honda CRX resembled nothing so much as a rollerskate on steroids. A favorite among grassroots motorsport enthusiasts for its sure-footed grip on the race course and its trusty OSHC power plant, this little two-seater won many a heart and many a trophy. Through two generations, the CRX gained a dedicated following because of its synergistic combination of power, weight, quality components, and eye appeal. This is one automobile that has seldom had any detractors. Out of production for nearly two decades, it remains first on race day among amateur enthusiasts.Long before hybrid vehicles made regular appearances on American highways, the CRX was capable of amazing fuel economy using solely an internal combustion engine. The first generation was powered by six variants on Honda 1.3-liter to 1.6-liter engines, many fitted out with fuel injection. Second-generation CRXs benefited from the inclusion of Honda's VTEC engine with its variable valve timing. In the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, these cars were capable of 40 to 50 mpg without any special... View more tweaking. Horsepower ranged from 58 in the early-model generation to about 150 during the CRX's final production year. The original edition of the CRX made its entrance in 1984, rigged out with the very efficient 1.3-liter 58-horsepower engine. Built on an EC1 chassis, the suspension was reworked from the original front torsion bar and independent rear to all-around wishbones during a revamping in 1987. Second-generation CRXs appeared from 1988 through 1991, the mode's final production year. Five different power plants were offered at various times in this generation but the hands-down favorites were the VTECs. The first generation of the CRX was available in only one trim in the U.S. Second-generation CRXs were available in three trims, the base model designated the DX, the intermediate HF for High-Efficiency, and the Si sports-injected model. All three were available with a choice of an automatic or five-speed manual transmission. Refinements in the 1988 to 1991 editions included reworked bumpers, lights, hoods, suspension, and dashboards. The CRX got rave reviews not only from drivers but also from Motor Trends magazine which dubbed it The Import Car of the Millenium" in 1990. Car and Driver magazine named it among the top ten cars of 1985, and following the CRX's redesign for the 1988 year, named it once again to the Top Ten list. Most telling perhaps was Road & Track's placing it among the 10 best cars of all time in 1988. Not only was the CRX speedy, it was also safe. The National Highway Safety Transportation Administration gave the 1984 and 1989 especially high marks for front-crash protection. View less | |||
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