Honda CR-Z Hybrid Production Photos and Specs Leaked
Rarely do I get at all excited about hybrids (even though I write about them often enough). But the Honda CR-Z hybrid is cool enough for me to reconsider my stance on the fuel-friendly vehicles. In a throwback to the CRX, a hot little hatch Honda made in the late 80’s and early 90’s, the CR-Z will be a two door coupe with a hybrid drivetrain that marries good looks with high fuel economy.
The CR-Z brochure has been leaked online as well as engine specifications, and it makes me want the car all the more than the concept did.
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The CR-Z is easily the best looking car to come out of the staid Honda stable in some time. Not to offend the many happy Honda owners out there, but the lineup has lacked a certain amount of pizzaz in recent years (the S2000 being the sole exciting exception). The CR-Z should help Honda play catchup with other hybrids as the Insight gets dominated by the Prius in almost every category.
Hybrids don’t have to be boring, and the CR-Z certainly won’t be boring. With an estimated 0-60 time of 9.7 seconds, it’ll be at least as fast as the 2010 Prius, sans two doors. Plus, there is a possibility that the CR-Z might take advantage of its electric engine for a sort of electric torque dump to increase power when needed. Mugen, an aftermarket maker of parts for Hondas, even has a version of the CR-Z in the works apparently. Nice. Here are the leak specifications for the CR-Z:
Length: 4080 mm (160.6 in.)
Width: 1740 mm (68.5 in.)
Height: 1395 mm (54.9 in.)
Wheelbase: 2435 mm (95.9 in.)
Engine: 1.5L i-VTEC + IMA
Transmission: 6MT or CVT
Power (ICE): 114ps@6000RPM
Torque (ICE): 145 NM (107 lb-ft)@4800RPM
Power (IMA): 14ps@1500RPM
Torque (IMA): 78 NM (57 lb-ft)@1000RPM
0-100km/hr (0-62mph): 9.7 sec
No word on pricing, but…I’m really looking forward to this sharp hybrid hitting dealer lots for the 2011 model year.
Source: Temple of VTEC
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December 10th, 2009 at 11:11 am
What is the projected MPG?
December 10th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
This car is creating alot of buzz on the internet. Alot of it not so good. I find it attractive, but the performance is pretty uninspiring. I think it will come down to how much Honda wants for it. They could have probably built a better car by skipping out on the hybrid system, drop in the Honda Fit engine, and sell it for a decent price. This car, in my opinion, won’t be a big seller.
December 10th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
The brochure has 25/22.5 KM/L which works out to ~59/53 MPG
December 10th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
the electric motor be beefer on a sport hybird. It should at 50 hp or design it to let have high out put for short time . Then have temperature senors on the motor to know when it get too hot and out put will be reduce. Air vends for air cooling the armature or coils if the motor is brushless. air fins on the motor housing so it dissipate heat faster.
December 10th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Ugly and SLOW. Not for me.
December 11th, 2009 at 9:52 am
I’m SUPER excited about this car! I’m a little disappointed by the power of it, but at least it’s small enough so that a little power will go a long way (hopefully). If the MPG works out as stated above, that alone will help sell the car.
January 12th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Poor performance, poor MPG, & high price are Not a good combination IMO. The manual has EPA-estimated fuel economy of 31 m.p.g. in city driving and 37 on the highway. The CVT version is to get 36 m.p.g. in the city and 38 on the highway.