Honda Rafaga
Encyclopedia
The series CE4 and CE5 was an intermediate 4 door sedan sold only in Japan by Honda, and used the same 5 cylinder engine that was used in the Honda Inspire
and the Honda Vigor and shared a platform with the Honda Ascot
. "Rafaga" is Spanish for "gust" or "blustery". The engine is installed longitudinally, the same configuration used in the Vigor and Inspire. The Rafaga was third in Hondas hierarchy of sedans, and a sister car to the Ascot, which was sold at the Honda Primo dealership network. The Rafaga was sold in Japan at Honda Verno dealerships. As with other Honda products, the Rafaga used double wishbone suspension at the front and rear wheels. The "2.5 S" trim level came with a front suspension upper strut brace in the engine compartment.
The grille is in the shape of an inverted triangle that flowed into the front bumper, and a small Honda "H" logo at the top. The Rafaga also had a long and low front engine compartment, and a short trunk, adding to its aerodynamic ambitions.
The interior came with genuine wood panels on the dashboard and center console, with leather available as an option on the "2.5 S". In 1994, dual airbags for front passengers and ABS were available, as well as a glass moonroof.
As the recession began to take hold in Japan, and sales were focusing more on the Accord, the Rafaga and the Ascot were discontinued and replaced with the Honda Torneo
in 1997.
Honda Inspire
The Honda Inspire is a luxury sedan introduced by Honda in 1990 and based on the Honda Accord chassis. The first Inspire debuted in 1990 as the Accord Inspire, a sister nameplate to the Honda Vigor, then the Honda Vigor was exported to the USA as an Acura...
and the Honda Vigor and shared a platform with the Honda Ascot
Honda Ascot
The Honda Ascot was an intermediate saloon car manufactured by Honda and marketed in Japan only from 1989 to 1997. There were two generations of the car, based on the contemporary Honda Accord and Honda Inspire, respectively...
. "Rafaga" is Spanish for "gust" or "blustery". The engine is installed longitudinally, the same configuration used in the Vigor and Inspire. The Rafaga was third in Hondas hierarchy of sedans, and a sister car to the Ascot, which was sold at the Honda Primo dealership network. The Rafaga was sold in Japan at Honda Verno dealerships. As with other Honda products, the Rafaga used double wishbone suspension at the front and rear wheels. The "2.5 S" trim level came with a front suspension upper strut brace in the engine compartment.
The grille is in the shape of an inverted triangle that flowed into the front bumper, and a small Honda "H" logo at the top. The Rafaga also had a long and low front engine compartment, and a short trunk, adding to its aerodynamic ambitions.
The interior came with genuine wood panels on the dashboard and center console, with leather available as an option on the "2.5 S". In 1994, dual airbags for front passengers and ABS were available, as well as a glass moonroof.
As the recession began to take hold in Japan, and sales were focusing more on the Accord, the Rafaga and the Ascot were discontinued and replaced with the Honda Torneo
Honda Torneo
The Honda Torneo was a mid-size family saloon car first introduced in 1997. The vehicle's name, "Torneo", is Spanish for "tournament". As Honda decided to consolidate models being offered in Japan, the Torneo replaced the Honda Ascot and Honda Rafaga. The Torneo was very similar to the JDM Honda...
in 1997.