Honda has taken the wraps off the final production version of the 2011 CR-Z hybrid sports car that will start hitting U.S. dealer showrooms in late summer of this year. The car has held on to many of the styling aspects that gave the concept versions a sleek modern look while clearly harkening back to the beloved original Honda CR-X.
The CR-Z is powered by a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine and uses Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid-electric system. The 2+2 seater has a three-mode drive system that allows the driver to select between Sport, Economy and Normal driving modes.
The car will come in two trim levels, the base CR-Z and the loaded CR-Z EX. A six-speed manual transmission is standard equipment and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is available. A 10 KW brushless motor assists a 4 cylinder engine to produce 122 horsepower and 128 lb-ft. of torque. Equipped with stop-start technology, Honda estimates the CR-Z will get 36 city/38 highway miles per gallon on CVT-equipped models, whereas manual transmission versions should get a lower 31 city/37 highway miles per gallon.
No word on pricing yet, we’ll still have to play the waiting game on that one.
Check out the 2 part video series of the CR-Z reveal yesterday at the Detroit Auto Show and the gallery at the bottom of the post.
Source: Honda
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If you go to the HONDA.COM CR-Z website, you’ll see all the post from Honda lovers like myself. Unfortunately for Honda, almost every post says the same thing…it’s too heavy at 2700 lbs, it’s too weak at 122 HP, and the MPG is too low at 31/37 w/ 6sp transmission. If it was more powerful, or had higher MPG, this would be my next car for sure, but now…I’m not so sure.
If you go to the HONDA.COM CR-Z website, you’ll see all the post from Honda lovers like myself. Unfortunately for Honda, almost every post says the same thing…it’s too heavy at 2700 lbs, it’s too weak at 122 HP, and the MPG is too low at 31/37 w/ 6sp transmission. If it was more powerful, or had higher MPG, this would be my next car for sure, but now…I’m not so sure.
^What he said…^
^What he said…^
37 MPG?? What are car companies thinking? Give us a 50+ MPG option that will carry a small family and it will sell. A lot.
37 MPG?? What are car companies thinking? Give us a 50+ MPG option that will carry a small family and it will sell. A lot.
the need to stop using the gas engine to power the wheels. let it make electricity for the electric motors.
the need to stop using the gas engine to power the wheels. let it make electricity for the electric motors.
Wait, WHAT THE HELL!?!?! The High efficiency CRX got 50mpg. It’s like Honda’s taking a giant leap backward and telling us its progress towards greener vehicles! The car looks better than the CRX but aside from that, nothing impressive about it.
Wait, WHAT THE HELL!?!?! The High efficiency CRX got 50mpg. It’s like Honda’s taking a giant leap backward and telling us its progress towards greener vehicles! The car looks better than the CRX but aside from that, nothing impressive about it.