Currently reading: Honda reveals production CR-Z

US spec model revealed in Detroit; Euro model set for Geneva and on sale in the summer

These are the first official pictures of Honda’s hybrid CR-Z coupé, which is set to reach UK showrooms in the summer.

Honda will reveal a European version at the Geneva motor show in March, but revealed this US-spec CR-Z at yesterday’s Detroit motor show.

Official Honda CR-Z pics

The 2+2 coupé’s styling has been toned down from the concepts seen at last year’s Tokyo and Los Angeles shows, with some of the sharper lines being ironed out.

Honda is billing the CR-Z as the world’s first hybrid sports car, and its power comes from Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system, borrowed from the Insight. However, the CR-Z gets a larger, 1.5-litre engine with 102bhp and a 20bhp electric motor. Combined outputs are 122bhp and 128lb ft of torque; maximum torque arrives at just 1500rpm.

Power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed manual ’box, the first time a manual has appeared in a series hybrid. The CR-Z emits 117g/km of CO2, and returns 56.4mpg.

Drivers can choose from three driving modes — to maximise fun, economy or a combination of both — and these alter the throttle response, steering, idle stop timing, climate control and the IMA’s assistance.

The CR-Z sits on a shortened version of the Insight’s platform, but the track has been widened and its wheelbase has shrunk by 115mm. It’s also 295mm shorter than the five-door and, at 1196kg, it weighs 44kg less. The suspension features new spring and damper settings to improve the car’s ride and handling, which have been criticised on the Insight.

The CR-Z is set to be priced from around £18,000, and a hot Mugen version is likely to follow next year.

 

Mark Tisshaw

mark-tisshaw-autocar
Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.

Join the debate

Comments
15
Add a comment…
sfxrules 12 January 2010

Re: Honda reveals production CR-Z

I applaud Honda for sticking its neck out, the car looks good too, a test drive will show whether it was worth all the trouble. The CRX was one of the few front wheel drivers I liked in the olden days.

Zeddy 12 January 2010

Re: Honda reveals production CR-Z

The interior looks "bitty" and the power isn't what a Honda normally provides in this type of car.

Shame.

VelSatis23 12 January 2010

Re: Honda reveals production CR-Z

Was a fan of the CRX, but this thing is just total disappointment, too bad. Wonder if any other car company can deliver a small sportscoupe, and I don´t mean these bloated suckers like the Scirocco or Megane Coupe.