A tribute to the CR-X del Sol wasn’t on our bingo cards for 2025.
By Chris Chin
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Honda seems to be on a nostalgic kick, what with the revival of the Prelude and all. How about a modern-day throwback to the CR-X del Sol?
Welp, that’s what GAC Honda just did for the 2025 Guangzhou International Auto Show. According to multiple sources, the firm created a Honda Civic/Integra-based Targa concept.
Although not likely headed for production, it drums up some good ‘ol memories of one of Honda’s signature sports cars from the 1990s.
Honda Integra 2-door targa concept car unveiled in China

At the 2025 Guangzhou Auto Show, Honda unveiled a 2-door Integra concept car with a targa roof.

It is, however, not developed by Honda in Japan but by GAC-Honda, one of Honda's joint-ventures in China. It is based on… pic.twitter.com/8aDkjETAgb
It looks like a Civic 1.5-liter turbo with a manual at first, and because it is. GAC Honda just markets the car as an Integra in its domestic market.
But what they did to create this concept is the part that matters. Not only did they take a saw to the roof and create an epic-looking Targa coupe.
It also summons the spirit of one of Honda’s signature ’90s sports coupes: the C-RX del Sol.
Introduced in the early 1990s and sold up through 1998, the CR-X del Sol is based on the fifth-gen EG/EH/EJ Civic. But on top of being a unique Targa design, it was the first convertible Honda sold on US shores.
Its known for its unique Civic-based roots and convertible top, which made open-air motoring more accessible and afford to American buyers. But because it was essentially a Civic underneath, it also perpetuated Honda’s reputation for perky and agile handling.
Its powertrains are modest, ranging from a 1.5-1.6-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder, with the choice of either a four-speed auto or five-speed manual gearbox.
But because it was a bit heavier than its normal Civic sibling, it unfortunately also gained a reputation for being a bit on the slow side. Thus, it earned its name within the Honda community as the “del Slow.”
However, the CR-X del Sol wasn’t so much about straight-line speed as it was lightweight, agile handling and cheap, economic fun. It was rather successful too, having sold nearly 75,000 of them in the States throughout its production run between 1993 and 1997.
Like many automakers, Honda is in a joint venture with China’s GAC. Rooting its origins way back to 1999, both automotive firms joined forces to support Chinese domestic sales and operations.
It’s basically the equivalent to Honda Motor America being a subsidiary of Honda Motor Company in Japan. Although a Japanese company at heart, Honda Motor America designs, engineers and markets its vehicles specifically to the tastes and demands of American buyers.
The same goes for GAC Honda. On the Chinese side, GAC, also known as Guangzhou Automobile Group, is the fourth-largest Chinese automaker as of 2021. It was established in 1948 and is also one of the many state-owned automakers acting as the owner of Chinese brands like Trumpchi, Hycan and Hyptec.
Like Honda’s other regional divisions, GAC Honda often develop its own models bespoke to the Chinese market. Case in point, this latest Honda Integra-based Targa concept is the byproduct of the two firms working together.
Will GAC Honda make it? Probably not. But that could change if there are enough buyers yanking on Honda’s chain about it. You never know.
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