How a new Honda sports car smaller than the Prelude could look
Honda CRX, whose production ended 35 years ago, is back in the spotlight. An independent designer from social media has presented his own vision of a revived model, giving it a shooting-brake-inspired body and an all-electric powertrain.
The Honda CRX debuted in 1983 as a compact three-door hatchback based on the Civic. The second-generation model was produced from 1987 to 1991 and was the final generation of the CRX. The car featured compact dimensions, a 2+2 layout, and a sporty character. Total production exceeded 400,000 units.
The new-generation Honda CRX rendering was created by Mo Ismail, who previously worked at HALO Studio and Ram Trucks and currently serves as a senior creative designer at Jeep. The designer set out to imagine what a late-2020s CRX could look like while maintaining a connection to the styling of the first two generations.
The concept retains a three-door liftback body with a slightly raised stance. However, the modern proportions are noticeably more muscular thanks to widened wheel arches. The front end features modern LED headlights, while new taillights appear at the rear.
The interior features two-tone leather upholstery and sporty front bucket seats. At the same time, the overall architecture of the project remains connected to the original CRX, which was known for its compact dimensions and 2+2 layout.
The powertrain for the concept has not yet been determined. The designer suggests that if Honda were to revive the CRX, it could use technology from the recently revived Prelude, but with an electrified powertrain.
However, the chances of Honda reviving this unusual model are slim. The company is currently focused on the crossover segment, which has much stronger demand worldwide than niche semi-sporty models. Still, considering Honda's experience reviving the Prelude, which recently returned to the company's lineup, the possibility of a new CRX going on sale in the near future cannot be completely ruled out.