The base "S" model (called the VXi in Japan from 1992 to 1994, but after 1995 called the VGi) came with a 1.5 liter SOHC 16-valve four cylinder engine and rode on 13-inch steel wheels, available only at "Honda Verno" Japanese dealerships. The Japanese VXi/VGi versions came with a Honda D15B-VTEC engine. This was an entry level VTEC engine that produced , matching the power of the 1.6 Si version. Despite the body resemblance to a mid-engine car design, the del Sol shared a front-engine design with the contemporary Honda Civic.