What drivetrain is a Del Sol?
The Honda Del Sol uses a front-engine, front-wheel-drive (FWD) drivetrain.
The Del Sol is a compact two‑seat sport coupe/cabriolet from Honda, produced in the 1990s and built on the Civic platform. Its drivetrain emphasizes a lightweight, front‑driven layout rather than all‑wheel traction, with most models offering a manual transmission and some markets receiving an automatic option. This article details the Del Sol’s drivetrain configuration and transmission choices.
Drivetrain Layout
Key layout features that define how the Del Sol’s drivetrain is arranged and how it influences handling and packaging.
- Front-engine, front-wheel drive (FWD): The engine drives the front wheels through a transaxle, a setup common to many Honda compact cars of the era.
- Transverse engine mounting: The engine sits sideways to maximize interior space and optimize the balance for a small, lightweight chassis.
- Platform lineage: The Del Sol shares its basic drivetrain architecture with the Civic family, aiding reliability and serviceability.
These layout choices give the Del Sol the expected agility and efficiency of a late‑model Honda front‑driven car, with handling tuned for nimble, everyday use and spirited driving.
Transmission Options
Specification of the gearboxes typically paired with the Del Sol’s front‑engine layout and engine options.
- 5‑speed manual: The most common and performance‑oriented choice, offering direct engagement and precise shifting.
- 4‑speed automatic: Available in some markets or trim levels, providing ease of use for daily driving where a manual wasn’t desired.
Regardless of transmission, the drivetrain remains front‑wheel drive, aligning with the Del Sol’s lightweight, sporty emphasis rather than all‑wheel traction.
Performance Variants and Engine Note
Some trims offered VTEC‑equipped B‑series engines (such as the B16 family) to boost power, but the drivetrain configuration stayed FWD. Engine choices affected performance, not the fundamental front‑wheel drive layout.
Summary
The Del Sol’s drivetrain is front‑engine, front‑wheel drive (FWD) with options predominantly in manual transmission (5‑speed) and occasional automatic (4‑speed) variants. It is built on the Civic platform and does not offer all‑wheel drive, reflecting its design focus on lightweight, agile handling.
What wheel drive is a Honda Del Sol?
front-wheel-drive
| Honda CR-X del Sol | |
|---|---|
| Body style | 2-door roadster |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
| Chassis | EG1, EG2, EH6 |
| Related | Honda Civic Acura/Honda Integra |
What drivetrain is a Honda Del Sol?
Drivetrain
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
|---|---|
| Drive type | Front wheel drive |
Is the Del Sol fwd or rwd?
The Honda del Sol is front-wheel drive (FWD) only and was never produced as a rear-wheel drive (RWD) vehicle. As it was based on the Honda Civic, it shares the same front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout.
- Drivetrain: The del Sol uses a front-wheel-drive (FWD) system.
- Engine and transmission: It came with either a manual or automatic transmission, both sending power to the front wheels.
- Platform: It was built on the same platform as the Honda Civic, which is also a front-wheel-drive car.
What motor is in a 1993 Honda Del Sol?
1993 Honda del Sol Specs, Features & Options
| Save 1 of 2 del Sol S Coupe 2D | Save 2 of 2 del Sol Si Coupe 2D |
|---|---|
| See Pricing See Cars in Stock | See Pricing See Cars in Stock |
| 102 @ 5900 RPM | 125 @ 6600 RPM |
| Engine | |
| 4-Cyl, 1.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 1.6 Liter |
