Honda’s New Manual Two-Door Hatchback Summons the Spirit of a Forgotten Classic

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 assisted with for a high-paying VIP customer at the 2025 Guangzhou International Auto Show. According to multiple sources and a Honda spokesperson, the firm created a special display area for custom-made models. And someone brewed up a Honda Civic/Integra-based Targa concept to show off.

Although not likely headed for production, as it was the brainchild of a private owner’s modern Honda fantasies, it drums up some good ‘ol memories of one of Honda’s signature sports cars from the 1990s.

Edit: A Honda spokesperson reached out to us to confirm that it was not a concept from GAC Honda. Rather, a private owner made the vehicle and put it on display at GAC Honda’s booth. The story was edited to reflect this latest info. – Ed.

Long live the “del Slow”

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 Chinese market.

But what was done to create this concept is the part that matters. Not only did the owner take a saw to the roof and create an epic-looking Targa coupe.

Honda

It also summons the spirit of one of Honda’s signature ’90s sports coupes: the CR-X 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.

Honda

It’s known for its unique Civic-based roots and convertible top, which made open-air motoring more accessible and affordable to American buyers. But because the del Sol 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.

Honda

But because it was a bit heavier than its normal Civic sibling, it unfortunately also gained a reputation for being on the slow side. Thus, it earned its name within the Honda community as the “del Slow.”

Honda

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. Honda sold nearly 75,000 of them in the States throughout its production run between 1993 and 1997.

A new height for the Chinese-Japanese partnership

X via Tyocho de Feijter

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.

Honda

It’s basically the equivalent to Honda Motor America being an American-based 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.

It’s the same reason why our Accord models differed significantly from the ones in Europe and Asia. Some variations also occurred with the Civic.

Honda

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. Operations officially commenced in 1948 and it’s also one of the many state-owned automakers that owns other Chinese brands like Trumpchi, Hycan and Hyptec.

X via Tyocho de Feijter

Like Honda’s other regional divisions, GAC Honda often develop its own models bespoke to the Chinese market. Will GAC Honda make it? Probably not.

However, that could change if enough buyers are yanking on Honda’s chain about it. You never know.

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