13 July 2009 - 14:00
CR-Z hybrid on its way
Honda has confirmed it will build the funky CR-Z hybrid, two years after first teasing us with the concept version (pictured).
Like the Insight, it will use the company's petrol-electric hybrid format -
which pairs a 1.3-litre engine with an IMA electric motor - though this is the
first time it's appeared in a sports car.
So it offers a greener flavour of speed and, if the Insight's figures are
anything to go by, we can expect around 60mpg and close to 100g/km of C02 - if
not better in the CR-Z, thanks to its dinky proportions. Performance probably
won't be startling, but will definitely be smooth and swift. Around 130bhp and
a 0-60mph dash of around 8.5 seconds is our guess.
The CR-Z will go on sale in Japan early next year, though UK dates have yet to
be finalised. We'll know more on that later this year.
The news was announced earlier today by Honda's new top man, Takanobu Ito. He
was the engineer in charge of the NSX, so we're inclined to trust him. But will
a sporty, fun little hybrid really work? If anyone can make it happen, he can.
Talking of the NSX, here's an old clip of Black Stig thrashing a true great among Japanese supercars:
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This car looks great. Maybe i buy one if the price isn't too high
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Deserves more performance, looking like that. Let's see how appealing it is once the design has been toned down for the blue-rinse brigade.
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Thing is i guess it can be used as a everyday car and unlike the tesla it isnt a fully electric car, so you the car wont stop in the middle of the road.
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The video attached to this article is slightly inappropriate, I think. Comparing this histrionic eco-robot to the NSX would be like comparing Rhyl to the Pyramids of Chichen Itza. Whack the C32B in the thing and THEN come back to me with something interesting, Honda!
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are they only going to have the hybrid? i'd like to see a type R somewhere along the line as a sort of hommage to the old crx vtec (which i still own and love) :D
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Wow anyone who would own this would definitely drop the idea of buying an audi r8 !!!!!!!!!! (looks wise not performance)
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Having researched thoroughly (Google), I've seen this car from about 4 different angles and I think it looks a bit too much like the new Lancia Delta. I'm not overly convinced by this Honda, and the idea of a CRX replacement with a 1.3 hybrid engine takes the piss a bit.
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Wow, the video of the old black Stig taking the Type-R for a lap. When they show the crashes afterwards Jeremy said, "one dar the he'll kill himself and we'll need a new Stig"... was he for-telling the future?? I personally can't believe there is not going to be a new NSX. It wouldn't be too bad if there was going to be some sort of new S2000 - (that's always been a good car). Oh well, it's not like there's no other fast cars that are useadble everyday. lotus Evora anyone?
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The interior looks just as good.
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That will be the best looking Honda if they do keep most of the concept's design theme once it hits production...
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The grills make it look like a fish.
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The 1.3 makes it sound a bit weedy, even if it had a larger engine with the hybrid it might be a bit more appealing. Don't the Honda hybrids just work below 20 mph rather than with the engine like a Prius? If so that means that above 20 mph you're driving a 1.3 l sports car! I hope that's not right or it will be a real turn off of hybrids, but if it's a good car it could make hybrids sporty and cool.
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The thing is that the Prius is flooding the US with ad time and traditionally Honda doesn't advertise much [at all] compared to other car companies. So there is a huge risk this thing is going to fly under the radar.
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Idiots buy Prius'; suckers buy them. If car companies really wish to save the environment the only answer is to stop making cars - OR... find a way to power them on a renewable source of energy that can be used and obtained without producing any emissions* - *refers to James May's/FCX Clarity film. Honda have cooked it, whether we eat it or not is something else
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Whats the point in a slow sportscar????????
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I like the integral bull-bar effect - should be a big hit with the kids.
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yeah the car looks good. i'll give it that
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the car looks great and if it has low emissions it will be a sign of change
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Really like this concept. Unlike Tesla, keeping their product exclusive, Honda have gone for the Henry Ford approach by making it accessible to the masses, yet again. Good work! www.welbeckdesign.com
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The Insight's been getting terrible reviews, but the CR-Z looks like it might be a fun driver. Honda hopes to get it for sale in the U.S. next year, but won't bring a Fit Hybrid to the U.S. http://www.cargurus.com/blog/2009/07/14/honda-not-giving-us-fits-but-cr-z-hybrids-instead/
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As mentioned before. Honda isn't exactly using huge, brightly pulsating neon lights on every street corner letting everybody know they got a new car. But even so. Over here (NL) there are so many of those civic hybrids and insights driving around it's almost scary. Like you get one for free every time you fill up your car.
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its not really a beautiful car as an alfa 159 owner i can say this and 60mpg is not really that good the peugeot 308 diesel apparently does 90mpg and it uses basic technology not fancy petrol electric
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The Honda CR-Z Hybrid has the snout of a Briard, blind spots bigger than the Cygnus X-1, an interior that's straight out of Tron and only a fraction of the power that my modified Mazda MX5 Mk1 has, however I must confess that there is something about this car that I love! I can't wait until it arrives in the UK so that I can test drive it.
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Mikeado commented on this article
13 July 2009
I am so buying that when it comes out. Or perhaps I should wait for the Mugen version?
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