No. The Honda Del Sol is a front‑engine, front‑wheel‑drive two‑seat sport coupe, based on the Civic platform, and it is not a mid‑engine vehicle.
Overview and layout
The Del Sol was built by Honda in the 1990s as a lightweight, two‑seat companion to the Civic, with a removable roof on most versions. It shares the Civic’s front‑wheel‑drive architecture and uses a transverse, front‑mounted four‑cylinder engine. The body emphasizes a compact footprint and nimble handling rather than exotic drivetrain placement, which is a hallmark of mid‑engine designs.
Engine options and drive train
The Del Sol offered a range of four‑cylinder powertrains, with the most common configurations being front‑engine, front‑wheel drive. The sportier Si/VTEC variants employed Honda’s 1.6‑liter DOHC VTEC inline‑four, increasing power and torque compared with base models. In contrast, the base and other non‑VTEC versions used smaller, non‑VTEC inline‑four engines. These options reflect Honda’s approach to balancing daily usability with a performance edge in a compact two‑seater.
Key engine options for the Del Sol included:
- Base and non‑VTEC variants: smaller inline‑four engines from the 1.5–1.6 liter range, tuned for efficiency and smooth everyday use.
- Si/VTEC variants: 1.6‑liter DOHC inline‑four with VTEC, delivering higher output and a more spirited driving experience.
In summary, the Del Sol’s powertrain lineup centers on front‑mounted, transverse four‑cylinder engines with front‑wheel drive, and while the VTEC‑enabled Si variants offer stronger performance, the car remains fundamentally a front‑engine, FWD sedan platform rather than a mid‑engine machine.
Design accents and market notes
Beyond its mechanical layout, the Del Sol is remembered for its sporty stance, compact dimensions, and the option of a Targa‑style roof. The car was offered in various markets with slight variations in engine and trim, but across all versions the engine sat at the front of the vehicle, powering the front wheels.
Is the Del Sol mid‑engine?
No. The Del Sol does not use a mid‑engine layout. Its engine is mounted at the front and drives the front wheels, aligning with Honda’s Civic‑based front‑engine designs of the era.
Bottom line
For readers wondering about the Del Sol’s layout, the verdict is clear: it is not mid‑engine. It is a front‑engine, front‑wheel‑drive, two‑seat coupe derived from the Civic platform, with varied four‑cylinder engines across different trims and markets.
Summary
The Honda Del Sol stands as a front‑engine, front‑wheel‑drive two‑seat sports car built on the Civic’s underpinnings. While the Si/VTEC variants offered stronger performance with a 1.6‑liter VTEC engine, the Del Sol never adopted a mid‑engine configuration. Its appeal lies in light weight, compact dimensions, and accessible VTEC‑based performance rather than exotic drivetrain architecture.