Year of Honda Rafaga

The Honda Rafaga (Japanese: ホンダ・ラファーガ) 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 "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 an front suspension upper strut brace in the engine compartment.

The front grille is similar to Alfa Romeo, using 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.