Detroit News writers recently got the chance to test-drive one of Honda’s new, “fun to drive” CR-Z hybrid coupes. They wrote about their experiences, and (after they got done calling Americans overweight and shallow) they told us about Honda’s new CR-Z and its chances in the US market.
They were wrong.
It may be bad form to “call out” another publication, but it’s clear that DetNews doesn’t “get” the new CR-Z, and take issue with a few of the assertions they make regarding the CR-Z in yesterday’s DetNews.com review.
First issue:
“The CR-Z is a sharp-edged hybrid racer that will fail to connect to Americans in literally every way. It’s a two-door hatchback; Americans want sedans. It has a manual version; Americans prefer right-foot driving only. It’s a hybrid without super high mileage figures; Americans hear the word hybrid and think they will only have to fill up once a month. It does not have a back seat: Oh no!”
The DetNews is right about everything they say there—but clearly doesn’t get the CR-Z. Simply put, the CR-Z is being marketed as one thing and one thing only: a new-age CRX.
The CRX—Honda’s 80′s sporty compact—was a 2 door hatchback with a manual transmission and 2 seats that was fun to drive. The car was practical, sure, but it was the CRX Si (with mpg ratings in the 30′s) that built up a loyal following and helped launch the Japanese import tuning craze that has (so far) led to 4 Fast and Furious movies, several comic books, scads of video games, and aisle after aisle of bolt-on baubles at every local auto parts store… NOT the gas-miser CRX HF model.
If the CR-Z was anything BUT the 2-passenger hatchback it is, then it wouldn’t be a new CRX, and it would flop.
Second issue:
“The CR-Z was supposed to be a reincarnation of the CR-X—that funky hatchback everyone drove until the wheels fell off. But the new CR-Z cannot answer all of the extreme situations of what ifs so many consumers seem to ask: What if it snows? What if I buy a boat and need to tow it? What if two of my Facebook friends actually want to meet me in person and they both need a ride? At the same time?”
The original CRX couldn’t answer any of those questions either, and (nearly 20 years after the original was discontinued) a CRX remains desirable. Furthermore, if the new CR-Z could answer any of those questions, then it wouldn’t be cool. It would be practical, and it would flop.
Third issue:
“The six-speed manual transmission provides a little more sportiness, though if you kept the revs high, the gas mileage would surely suffer. Most buyers, however, would likely opt for the gearless Continuously Variable Transmission, which I did not test but fear would sap the fun out of the car.”
Here, the writer displays a total misconception about what a CVT is all about: maximum torque. All. The. Time.
Continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) address the fact that all internal combustion engines operate with different levels of efficiency at different rpm. With a fixed set of gear ratios to select between, a driver must adjust engine speed (rpm) to accelerate the car, switching gears when the engine runs out of revs. A CVT changes the dynamic completely, allowing an engine to operate at its peak power rpm (for example) while adapting the gear ratios to the engine. When the situation demands better fuel economy, the engine can be “set” to its most fuel-efficient rpm, and the CVT can adapt to that. It’s brilliant tech, and (with so many fewer moving parts than a conventional manual or automatic transmission) leads the way in performance, economy, and manufacturing tech. In fact, CVTs offer such an enormous performance advantage that the technology was banned in Formula 1 racing, out of fear that the first team to perfect the CVT (Williams) would become so dominant that no one else would show up to race against them, effectively bankrupting Formula 1, the FIA, and dozens of supporting industries that surround the sport.
To any other CVT doubters out there, watch and learn.
If the car didn’t have a CVT option, it would lose its ties to Honda’s history and reputation as a technological leader and innovator. In other words, it wouldn’t be the type of modern CRX that Soichiro would have built, and it would flop.
Fourth issue (and final, I promise):
“There will be some people … willing to admit they don’t need everything in a single vehicle and use the CR-Z as a tool for getting around in style. They know that not everyone needs a back seat for imaginary friends who will never ride in their car.”
“They will see the mileage numbers as impressive and appreciate the car’s road-worthy abilities, mixing efficiency with sportiness.”
“They will be Europeans.”
Ask VW about the New Beetle’s sales figures in Europe and why they haven’t built a retro-style minivan and they will explain, in no uncertain terms, that Europeans do not buy retro cars.
Make no mistake: the CRX is Honda’s Mustang, it is Honda’s Beetle, it is Honda’s Camaro. It is a nostalgia model, and if it helps Honda’s CAFE numbers, that’s great—but that’s not what this car, the CR-Z, is for… this car is a love letter from Honda’s current design staff to the original CRX, and the buyers of this car will be customers who would write love letters to the CRX themselves, if they had its address…
…I know I’d write such a letter (or sign the card, at least), and I’ve got my eye on the first red, CVT-equipped CR-Z that lands in Ohio.
SOURCE: Detroit News.
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About Jo Borras
There have been very few shining car success stories right out of the gate.
Handa has had many successes and a few less desirable ones like the Insight.
The Toyota Prius project began in 1993 but did not achieve real stand alne success until it’s second generation came out over ten years later.
But Honda is not down yet and the Prius is now a well respected classic hybrid icon, 17 years and millions of dollars later.
What if GM started out with the junky Metro and improved it year after year…..?
There have been very few shining car success stories right out of the gate.
Handa has had many successes and a few less desirable ones like the Insight.
The Toyota Prius project began in 1993 but did not achieve real stand alne success until it’s second generation came out over ten years later.
But Honda is not down yet and the Prius is now a well respected classic hybrid icon, 17 years and millions of dollars later.
What if GM started out with the junky Metro and improved it year after year…..?
I agree with your nostalgia assessment. I loved my CRX from 1986 and for more than 20 years I longed for Honda to make another. Now that they have put forward the CRZ I have ordered one.
I disagree with the over enthusiastic endorsement of the CVT. I test drove the CVT. IMO it totally sucks the fun right out of the CRZ.
While it might just be my 35 years of driving manual transmission cars that leaves me biased, but listening to an engine drone at a fixed RPM while the transmission regulates your acceleration is just not fun. Even if it results in faster acceleration than in a manual, which it does not in the CRZ CVT, the building RPMs and accompanying aural symphony an important part of the thrill. This is true whether I am driving my car or watching a race.
For this reason I do wonder whether an electrically driven car will ever satisfy my automobile desires.
I agree with your nostalgia assessment. I loved my CRX from 1986 and for more than 20 years I longed for Honda to make another. Now that they have put forward the CRZ I have ordered one.
I disagree with the over enthusiastic endorsement of the CVT. I test drove the CVT. IMO it totally sucks the fun right out of the CRZ.
While it might just be my 35 years of driving manual transmission cars that leaves me biased, but listening to an engine drone at a fixed RPM while the transmission regulates your acceleration is just not fun. Even if it results in faster acceleration than in a manual, which it does not in the CRZ CVT, the building RPMs and accompanying aural symphony an important part of the thrill. This is true whether I am driving my car or watching a race.
For this reason I do wonder whether an electrically driven car will ever satisfy my automobile desires.
Thank you for this article! I’ve been begging for a two-door hybrid for years now (even though this isn’t the best, it’s a step in the right direction). I am so tired of these industry “experts” telling me what I want to drive. I have had to settle for old model vehicles for years because they stopped making fun to drive, affordable, two-seater vehicles. I have no boat and no desire to get one. If it snows, you put chains on. I have no kids and don’t want them either (that’s what the vasectomy was for). My friends either all have their own cars or will meet me where we want to go. Why do I want a sedan that I am never going to use 3/4 of the seats in? Why do I want to carry around all of the extra weight of those seats when I will not use them? Some of us KNOW what we want in a car. It’s just that no one is making them anymore. Until now. If we could only get them to think “outside of the box” a little bit more we might be on to something.
Thank you for this article! I’ve been begging for a two-door hybrid for years now (even though this isn’t the best, it’s a step in the right direction). I am so tired of these industry “experts” telling me what I want to drive. I have had to settle for old model vehicles for years because they stopped making fun to drive, affordable, two-seater vehicles. I have no boat and no desire to get one. If it snows, you put chains on. I have no kids and don’t want them either (that’s what the vasectomy was for). My friends either all have their own cars or will meet me where we want to go. Why do I want a sedan that I am never going to use 3/4 of the seats in? Why do I want to carry around all of the extra weight of those seats when I will not use them? Some of us KNOW what we want in a car. It’s just that no one is making them anymore. Until now. If we could only get them to think “outside of the box” a little bit more we might be on to something.
Nice article…wonder if they said the same thing about the mini cooper when it came here, with numbers virtually identical to the CRZ…I may be wrong, but I think they have sold quite a few minis here in the USA…I have had my CRZ for nearly a week now, and as many car enthusiasts know, numbers (eg 0-60) do not always predict the fun factor !!!
Nice article…wonder if they said the same thing about the mini cooper when it came here, with numbers virtually identical to the CRZ…I may be wrong, but I think they have sold quite a few minis here in the USA…I have had my CRZ for nearly a week now, and as many car enthusiasts know, numbers (eg 0-60) do not always predict the fun factor !!!
Well said, Ivan!
Well said, Ivan!
Uh, everything I’ve read indicates that the original CRX out performs, out handles & gets better mileage than the CR-Z. The CR-Z is more like a middle-aged CRX than a reincarnated one. Just sayin’.
Uh, everything I’ve read indicates that the original CRX out performs, out handles & gets better mileage than the CR-Z. The CR-Z is more like a middle-aged CRX than a reincarnated one. Just sayin’.
I always wanted a CRX. I owned several Accords and Integras, but have always been jealous of the CRX owners. I think the CRZ will inspire the same.
I always wanted a CRX. I owned several Accords and Integras, but have always been jealous of the CRX owners. I think the CRZ will inspire the same.
I always wanted a CRX. I owned several Accords and Integras, but have always been jealous of the CRX owners. I think the CRZ will inspire the same.
The Honda CR-Z look nice, I’ll test drive it and will let you know.
The Honda CR-Z look nice, I’ll test drive it and will let you know.
The Honda CR-Z look nice, I’ll test drive it and will let you know.