Looking like a small hatchback, the CRX had more in common with the two-seater sports coupes of the 1980s. It started with a 92ci (1.5-litre) three-valve per cylinder unit which produced an impressive 100bhp (74kW), but the car was re-designed in 1986 and packed a fearsome punch with its new twin-cam 16v engine which coaxed 125bhp (93kW) from just 98ci (1.6 litres). The new CRX benefited from a new suspension design with double wishbones all around and anti-roll bars, though it still handled on the firm side and many regarded it as a street-legal go-kart. Being strictly a front-engined, front-wheel drive two-seater meant that the car was nose heavy, so it needed the rear spoiler to provide downforce. Even so, the car's handling and steering was extremely precise and with the engine buzzing around the 6,000rpm power peak, it was a formidable opponent cross-country.
