What engines do Del Sols have?
Del Sols predominantly used two engine families: a 1.6-liter VTEC engine for sportier trims (roughly 160 hp) and a range of non-VTEC 1.5–1.6-liter D-series engines for base trims (roughly 95–125 hp), with exact options depending on year and market.
Core engine families
Two main families powered the Del Sol lineup, with market and year affecting which variant was installed. Below outlines the two core paths you’d typically encounter.
- 1.6-liter DOHC VTEC engines (B-series family) – the performance option used in sportier trims like the Si, delivering around 160 hp in commonly seen US-spec configurations.
- Non-VTEC 1.5–1.6-liter DOHC engines (D-series family) – used in base trims, with power generally in the 95–125 hp range depending on year and market.
These two families formed the backbone of the Del Sol’s powertrain lineup, while emissions rules and local market preferences influenced tuning and exact outputs.
Market variations
Engine availability and outputs varied by region, reflecting local regulations, taxes, and customer demand. The following notes summarize typical regional patterns.
United States and Canada
North America’s Del Sol lineup centered on two main configurations. The Si trim used a 1.6-liter VTEC engine (the B-series) producing about 160 hp, while base trims (such as the S) used non-VTEC 1.6-liter engines with output generally lower, depending on the model year and specification.
- Del Sol Si: 1.6L VTEC engine, ~160 hp (typical US specification)
- Del Sol S/other base trims: non-VTEC 1.6L engines, roughly 95–125 hp depending on year
In North America, the sport-focused Si represented the performance anchor, while base models prioritized efficiency and price.
International markets
In Japan, Europe, and other regions, engine options followed a similar two-path approach but with local tuning and regulatory considerations shaping final outputs. The 1.6L VTEC setup was common for sport-oriented variants, while some export or lower-tax markets adopted 1.5–1.6L non-VTEC variants to meet local requirements.
- Japan/Europe: common use of 1.6L VTEC (B-series) in sportier trims; some markets offered non-VTEC variants with lower output
- Other regions: mix of 1.6L VTEC and non-VTEC 1.5–1.6L options depending on local rules
Ultimately, regional regulations and market positioning dictated the precise engine combinations offered outside North America.
Summary
The Del Sol’s engines revolve around two main families: a 1.6-liter VTEC engine for performance variants and a range of non-VTEC 1.5–1.6-liter D-series engines for base models. Exact engine availability and horsepower varied by year and market, with the Si trim typically representing the peak of the lineup in most regions.
