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STATS
Years: 1983-1991
Country: Japan
Class: Sport Compact
Type: 3-Door Hatchback
Host: GT1, GT2, GT4, & GT5
* specs and testing below currently for 2nd gen models. '91 CR-X Si in GT2 and '90 CR-X SiR in
GT4 and 5
Price as Tested: $5,438 (GT2 used lot)
````````````````````````$5,414
(GT4 used lot)
$14,991 (GT5 used lot)
GT5 Mileage: 3,867.5
Construction: unit steel
Length: 149.6" // Width: 65.9" // Height: 50.0"
Wheelbase: 90.6"
Overhang:
@4 feet 9 inches
Track: 57.2" front & rear
Ground Clearance: 5.9"
Weight: 2,173 pounds
Wgt. Dist: 64 / 36
Layout:
Front Engine / Front Drive
Steering: unassisted rack & pinion
Tires: 195/60VR-14 Dunlop D87
Suspension: double
wishbones / coils / anti-roll bars
Brakes: vented discs + ABS
# The CR-X of GT4 was given an oil change
before all specs & testing below
# the CR-X of GT5 was not given oil change or rebuild...
Engine: 1.6 liter DOHC inline 4
Construction: aluminum block & heads
Aspiration:
normal
Fuel Syst: PGM-Fi
Valves / Cyl: 4
Bore x Stroke: 3.19 x 3.05"
Compression: 10.2:1
GT2 Horsepower: 158 @ 7,500 rpm
GT2 Torque:
112 @ 7,000 rpm
GT4 Final Hrspwr: 157 @ 7,600 rpms
GT4 Fnl. Torque: 112
@ 7,000 rpms
GT5 Tested HP: 156 @ 7,500 rpm
GT5 Tstd. Torq: 111 @ 7,000 rpm
Lbs per hp: 13.75 (GT2) // 13.84 (GT4) // 13.92 (GT5)
HP per Liter: 99.1 (GT2) // 98.4 (GT4) // 19.58 (GT5)
Crdts
/ HP: $34.42 (GT2) // $34.48 (GT4) $92.89 (GT5)
GT2 Redline: 8,000 // Rpm Limit: 9,000
GT4 Idle: 1,000 // Redline: 8,000 // RPM Limit: 9,000
GT5 Idle: 625 // Redline:
8,000 // RPM Limit: 8,500
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Differential: limited-slip was option IRL
0-60 mph:
GT1 Si: 9.1xx seconds GT2 Si: 8.1 seconds
GT4 SiR: 9.583 seconds
GT5 SiR: 8.463
0-100mph:
GT1: 18.866 seconds GT2: 22.2 seconds
GT4:
22.333 seconds
GT5: 20.864
400M:
GT1: 16.753 @ 95 mph GT2:
16.540 @ 87 mph
GT4: 17.934 @ 89 mph
GT5: 16.788
@ 89 mph
1 KM:
GT1: 28.995 @ 124 mph GT2: 29.633 @ 115
mph
GT4: 30.553 @ 117 mph
GT5: 29.565 @ 116 mph
1
Mile:
GT5: 40.660 @ 128 mph
GT2 Test Track: 1:53.186
GT4 Test Track: N/A
GT5 Daytona Lap: 1:03.258
Brakes. 100-zero mph: 3.35 seconds
(GT4)
5.533 seconds (GT5)
Top Gear RPM @ 60 mph: 3,250
Top Speed at Redline
1st: 38 mph
2nd: 62 mph
3rd: 90 mph
4th: 117 mph
5th: 153 mph
(GT1 '91 Si) 153.15 @ 8,500 rpm (GT2 '91 Si)
149.77 mph @ 8,100 rpms (GT4 '90 SiR)
GT5 Top Speed at Redline
1st: 39.8
2nd: 59.5
3rd:
87.6
4th: 113.5
5th: 147.7 @ 8,250 rpm
-----------EXTERIOR / HISTORY-----------
Why has the Honda Civic become one of the most popular racers in the latter
part of the past 25 years? Tell you what, it didn't start out that way. For those who can't remember back that far
(or weren't born yet), during the '70s Civics were some of the most efficient cars on the market; but they were also rust-prone,
slow, noisy, and avoided by most any performance driver.
So what happened? Did the Civic start competing on tarmac because a few dedicated grass-roots drivers were
persistent enough to race them, or did Honda itself get involved? Well I'm gonna sidestep that question even though I
just asked it. There's too much info on Civics already out there, and I don't have much to add. A great site I found
is: http://www.crxsir.com/racing.html in case you're interested. But otherwise let's get back to our game and how the Civic CR-X fits in.
The very word ‘Civic’ conjures up politically correct images: “thank you” “pardon
me” and “I'd like to offer you something to drink my African American friend”. Stuff like that. Unlike the
words ‘Viper’, ‘Mustang’, or the mysteriously intimidating letters ‘NSX’, the word "Civic"
doesn't sound threatening or racy at all...which is what makes the Honda Civic CR-X Si such an interesting choice. Just imagine
the very first driver who said: “Yeah, I'll kick you around...in my CIVIC”. Bet he had
to prove his worth. ;-)
It seems the Civic's excellent racing reputation started in the '80s just as the CR-X came on the scene.
Customer demand was changing too; not only did we want a poddish fuel-efficient gogetter, we wanted it to last and not look
so ordinary. And in response, Honda decided to create sportier versions of their best-selling hatch.
There are a handful of versions Polyphony Digital has added to our games. A '91 CR-X Si
appears in GT1 and GT2. For GT3, the CR-X was not included, but in GT4 and GT5 we have the '90 CR-X SiR.
As a final treat, we also have the first-gen '83 "Ballade" Sports CR-X 1.5i in both these later
games....a nice treat to see where it all started. The CR-X was not just super-light and amazingly sporty, it could make
amazing gas mileage, rivaling some of today's hybrid cars.
Unofficially, CRX stands for Civic Renaissance eXperimental. Some of its best assets are:
light weight, sharp looks, and extreme maneuverability in corners. The CR-X weighs anywhere from 2,173 pounds
to 1,973 if it has a race-kit in GT2 (which you will probably never need by the way). In GT5, the
lowest we can get one of these will is 1,939 pounds, interesting that this car's now lower than the
race-modified version from GT2.
Nobody except Civic / JDM-haters will argue with us about this car's looks, but its
maneuverability? It is something we WILL need to use since the car's 64% front weight distribution makes it nose-heavy.
To sum it up: the CR-X is great but I sometimes wish it were better. And here's why.
---------------ENGINE / DRIVETRAIN-------------
Bet you can predict what's going on here.
We have an 87 octane-sipping 1.6 liter 4 designed not for racing; but for that lift of pep to get
around town, and for the need to get by any slower cars that are encountered presents itself. Do the math! The
CR-X appears in several GT games, so I'll break it down as best I can.
GT1
The CR-X in this game is one of the best bang for your buck (cream for your credit...) deals on the used car market.
Price to move from the very first day we see one for sale. It can immediately tackle the first four Spot Races with very little
power-ups, none at all for those who have experience. And this is on the car's factory tires, factory brakes, maybe a sport
suspension and drivetrain upgrade.
It demolishes the
Sunday Cup as well, but can't continue into the Clubman. Unfortunately, the thing that hurts the CR-X the most in this game
is lack of upgrades. I'm going from memory here, but power can safely be pushed up to 220 after a few upgrades/race won, and
that's a Stage 1 turbo or NA kit. More horses can be added under the hood from here but it'll cost a lot to
do so. Quickly the decision arises for some drivers: should I just buy a stronger car? Or should I drop five
figures of earnings just to conquer a few extra events.
Maybe the FF Challenge can be tackled as well.
GT2
I can't tell you how many times I've been preparing for some of Gran Turismo 2's more daring races, poring thru the
selections of my Vaņilla Rice memory card (which of course features plenty of riceboy material), and have WANTED to pick the
CR-X. Unfortunately, again and again it doesn't get chosen, and the job winds up going to a Civic Type R or the '93 Si, or
even one of my Civic sedans. Some of GT2's most prestigious races: the GT Regionals, True Sports Car Cup, Historic Cup, etc.
can be won in a Civic....but never in my red CR-X, which always remains in the garage--its poor tires going flat.
As any of us know, there are tons of Civics in the first two games...GT1 and GT2, and many in GT4
as well. Some of them go far beyond the scope of what a pedestrian front-drive hatch was ever meant to deliver (which is usually
pizza or Chinese food). To me, the CR-X in GT2 (with its sportier look) falls short. The problem? Not enough power! Here,
the slightly more-advanced Mugen CR-X pro.II version is not immune. Matter of fact, the regular CR-X does
better in the long run since the Mugen won't accept a race-kit.
But getting back to the power issue: we have Honda's famous 1.6 aluminum block 4-cylinder, which starts
with 158 horsepower at 7,500 rpm. Going back to GT1 for a moment, the dealer really fvcks up here: he's
claiming just 108 horsepower, which was the most basic real-life CR-X non-Si power. Don't worry,
once it's dyno-tested in your garage, you'll be pleased to know the CR-X in GT1 actually makes 158
hp, not 108 :)
At the most, we can crank out 263 hp @ 8,100
rpm in GT1. In GT2? All we get with a Stage 2 NA tune is just 208 naturally-aspirated hp at 7,900 rpm
with 139 ft-lbs. @ 7,400. And, unlike the CR-X from the
first game, there IS no Stage 3! Huh? In either game, there is no turbo, but even a '93 Civic Si in GT2 can attain
240 hp with just NA tuning. Now do you see why my CR-X winds up collecting dust?
In either game, it costs a lot to fully mod a CR-X, but it's worth it in GT1 for expert drivers who
know their cornering. I've actually read accounts of some folks getting pretty far into the game in a Civic or CR-X, tho I've
never tried it myself. In GT2, be prepared to conquer those Compact Car races over and over. ;-(~ If it weren't for the high-paying
Trail Mountain Enduro, it would take awhile to earn back any profit on a fully-modded CR-X. So now let's talk about this car
as it appears in GT4. GT4
With 3 NA tunes and 3 turbos to choose from, the CR-X SiR in this game has more potency, and (again)
feels at home for some amateur drivers, as well as pros who are more adept at tossing this suburban deity at its limits.
250 horsepower is the most that'll get tweaked from a Stage 3 NA tune, and about 280 hp
can be harvested from the Stage 3 turbo! Though this doesn't sound like much, you may be surprised because the CR-X SiR can
do some major damage in this game...don't forget that weight reductions are also available if you need 'em. Overall, the CR-X
SiR in GT4 has more longevity than the Si from either GT1 or GT2.
There's also the '83 CR-X from the GT4 Historic Lot. This nerdy weakling
can be raced in a few series, but doesn't go nearly as far since about 180 hp is all it'll take with a Stage
2 turbo (a few horses less can be had with the Stage 3 NA kit). Comparing the '83 car to the '90 car when both are fully
tweaked is like comparing a spry (but weak) 5th grader to a spry (but slightly bulkier, much faster) 11th grader. The '90
SiR gets alot more action in this game. GT5 Here, the CR-X is at its very best,
so far as power goes. 244 @ 8,400 hp with 155 foot-pounds at 7,900 is the best we can achieve
with additional engine stages, but on top of this we can stack some turbos. Now we're up to 316 @ 8,400 with
197 @ 8,400, more than can be had in any previous GT game. Oddly, the CR-X (and many other JDM cars) won't see much action during lower races. The Sunday Cup,
FF Challenge, Compact Car races, and many others are so EASY in this stupid game, that I rarely drove a CR-X until reaching
the Expert Series. Does that sound right to you? But it's true. During the Expert Series Turbo Challenge, finally I
could race a CR-X (and many other JDM cars) without cheating or excess underdogging. It can also take a good stab
at the Expert-level Japanese Championship. So what a history eh? Either this car isn't strong enough, or it's too strong, depending
on whatever game you've got. But in all cases, the next chapter shall provide some insight as to why this car should be driven
at all.
--------------CHASSIS / HANDLING-----------------
Despite speed issues, once we get the CR-X on the road, we'll find that here it is blessed...especially
during those tighter, low-speed corners. Hairpins. Chicanes. Esses. This is CR-X territory. It
eats 'em up.
But in the real world of Gran Turismo (heh heh) we also have straightaways, high-speed
curves of all shapes and sizes, on or off-camber. The CR-X eventually betrays us in these areas. Not just with poor power
upgrades and sluggish torque, but also understeer and nervous steering....all the typical
stuff front-drive cars are famous for. It's all here for us to enjoy. Lack of power ultimately compounds our
handling problems... makes this car's window of error even greater.
The SiRs in GT4 and 5 display the most variety, of course. They've got awesome brakes, so pretend
you're a truant student running into class just as the bell rings; for the CR-X in these games love late-braking into
turns. The virtual safety-net that caught me as I drove my CR-X in GT4's Japanese '90s Challenge and GT5's Turbo Cup
and Japanese Championship was almost always there. And if it's not there, not to worry 'cause damage control can be employed
to save the car from disaster, should it get braked too late.
Understeer that shows up while braking can suddenly (and sometimes violently) shift to extreme front-end
grip as you let off the brakes; depending how the car's suspension is tweaked, so careful as you brake & steer. The
CR-X has a habit of ‘pulling’ into the inside of turns, and then running into sand or grass as both actions
are performed. This is most true in earlier games (GT1 through 4), not so much in GT5, even while using sport tires.
Even
the '83 CR-X Sports 1.5i model I just drove can corner surprisingly aggressively, even on its stock soft radial
tires. Unlike the cars of GT4, the CR-X in GT5 can and WILL grip-in aggressively while braking, not just when
brakes are off, and perhaps this is a side-effect of not having ABS braking in this car. A limited-slip can sometimes
become necessary for the 1.5i, even when power is near-stock, although this isn't as necessary for later cars.. Sometimes
when the '83 exits corners, it has a habit of trying to destroy its 13" tires.
Stomp on that go-pedal, and now the CR-X understeers at the limit again, but has hoards of traction
before it does. Matter of fact, I found I didn't need a limited-slip device till I was deep into Stage 2 turbo
country (about 220 bhp), and even then, it was used more to augment traction--it wasn't completely needed.
There is torque-steer, of course, as the car gases out of corners, but it is easily tamed. Unless
you forgot to take off those lead shoes you're wearing. :) In some wider curves (once you get good), the CR-X becomes like
an angry little squirrel--underdrifting sideways with loud skittering motions across the entire track, only to regain
its composure as the gas is released, and the car's front-end is tightened. Quite a lot of
fun, actually.
So for those of us who can pilot an underpowered machine like the Honda CR-X to victory and earn mad cash,
it's all worth it. They will have the satisfaction of adding some Mustang, Viper, and Jaguar meat with their usual rice.
PROS--------------------------------------------------------
1). Bargain priced...ready to roll from day one. This car virtually has "Sunday Cup" written all over
it.
2). There's usually always a CR-X to be had in used car lots. We never have to hunt for them. GT5 is
the exception here. Since only a certain amount of cars get crammed into one lot, you may have to wait quite awhile to find
one of these.
3). Nice to see Gran Turismo kept the CR-X in GT2 and GT4/5 along with its successor the del Sol. I do miss
it in GT3. Well, not really.
4). Lightweight. Race-kit available in the first two games.
5). Great maneuverability & grippy FWD traction at lower speeds. Wanna tackle that double 90° corner
at Seattle? The complex hairpins and chicanes of Route 11? So does your CR-X.
6). Suspension and brake tuning can be minimal for any low-powered racing situation. Racing or sports
tires are the best ally for more challenging races.
7). Gotta admit that 8,000 rpm redline is really sweet.
8). Really excellent brakes. Under pressure, experienced players (and some intermediates)
will quickly learn to use these brakes to extreme advantage.
9). Limited-slip not needed for a long while, even in GT4 or 5 (this does not include the '83 Ballade Sports,
though). The CR-X had LSD as an option in real-life, and my guess is PD modeled the game-car with this option.
10). GT4 & 5: two versions of the CR-X to play with. First-gen ('83) and 2nd gen ('90).
11). GT4 & 5: the '90 CR-X SiR gets 3 NA kits and 3 turbo options!
12). GT4 & 5 again: quite the fuel sipper.
13). The FUN factor! This car has the potential to be more stimulating than some other, more powerful machines.
CONS--------------------------------------------------------
1). Low power, less torque. Beware of anything below 6,000 rpms...that's not where you want to be revving,
dude. Sometimes it's impossible to avoid this unless the car has a full-custom transmission set properly.
2). Acceleration in a CR-X pretty much bites at any level, no matter the power. It blows away Kei cars,
basically.
3). *hack cough* UNDERSTEER!! The front-end gets more and more prone towards loony behaviour (odd
moments of excessive grip mixed with understeer) as more power is used. Beginners who loved the CR-X at the Sunday Cup may
suddenly bail for another car.
4). No turbo in GT1 or GT2. NA tunes in GT2 don't take us as far as they do in GT1 (208 versus 250 hp).
Odd.
5). Race kit in GT2 of course costs a bundle...and how often is it really needed in a car that
rarely tops 120 mph? On the other hand, the extra downforce does help for those who want to progress, since the power-ups
are so lame in this game.
6). The Mugen CR-X Pro II version (GT2) doesn't accept a race-kit at all. Nor does it accept any additional
power.
7). Noisy. Grandma might get annoyed.
Published: February 2nd, 2006
Edited for GT4 content: ?
Edited for GT5 content:
June, 2011
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