The
Honda CR-Z is a compact
hybrid electric automobile manufactured by Honda and marketed as a "sport hybrid coupe."
The CR-Z combines a hybrid gasoline-electric
powertrain with traditional sports car
elements. The CR-Z is regarded as the spiritual successor to the second generation Honda CR-X in both name and exterior design.
In the U.S., it is one of the less polluting vehicles available and is rated as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) as defined by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). CR-Z is the only gasoline-electric hybrid model offered by any automaker that can be equipped with a manual transmission.
CR-Z represents the sixth unique version of Honda's IMA technology since the technology was first launched in the first generation Insight 3 door hatchback.
Sales of the CR-Z began in Japan in February 2010.
Sales in the U.S. began in August 2010.
History
The design and production of the CR-Z followed two other Honda hybrid concept cars: the Honda Remix, introduced at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show, and the Honda Small Hybrid Sports, introduced at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show
. The Honda CR-Z was first introduced as a concept vehicle on October 23, 2007 at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. Honda explained the name "'CR-Z' stands for 'Compact Renaissance Zero'— an expression intended to capture the idea of a renaissance in the design of compact cars that begins anew from fundamentals."
[11] At the show, CEO Fukui stated that a production model is "in the works" and that the car was intended to be "sporty, incredibly efficient and inexpensive".
The CR-Z was first shown in America at the 2008 Detroit North American International Auto Show.
In the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, Honda displayed a revised "CR-Z Concept 2009".
In January 2010, Honda introduced the production CR-Z at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit
. Automotive News reported in June 2010 that since its debut at the Detroit Auto Show, the CR-Z Web site has had 1 million hits.
Honda has been promoting the 2011 model from the Facebook game
Car TownPowertrain
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| Rear view of the Honda CR-Z. |
The CR-Z is powered by a 1.5 L (92 cu in) i-VTEC SOHC inline-4 engine, designated as LEA, with Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid-electric system.
A six-speed manual transmission is standard equipment and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is available. The system delivers a combined peak output of 122 bhp (91 kW; 124 PS) at 6000 rpm and 128 lb·ft (174 N·m) at 1000 to 1500 rpm (123 lb·ft (167 N·m) on CVT-equipped models). The gasoline motor itself contributes only 111 bhp (83 kW; 113 PS) at 6000 rpm and 106 lb·ft (144 N·m) at 4800 rpm. An early road test of a Japanese-market CR-Z resulted in 0-60 mph in 10.5 seconds and the quarter mile in 17.6 seconds.
Inside Line performed the same 0-60 mph test in 8.8 seconds, and Motor Trend, in 8.3 seconds.
Fuel economy
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| Honda CR-Z Interior |
Japanese fuel economy ratings are 4.0 litres per 100 kilometres (59 mpg
-US) for CVT and 4.4 litres per 100 kilometres (53 mpg
-US) for MT in 10•15 mode; and 4.4 litres per 100 kilometres (53 mpg
-US) for CVT and 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres (48 mpg
-US) for MT in JC08 mode.
The 2011 CR-Z U.S. EPA ratings are 31 miles per US gallon (7.6 L/100 km; 37 mpg
-imp) for city and 37 miles per US gallon (6.4 L/100 km; 44 mpg
-imp) for highway with manual transmission. The model with CVT transmission has a rating of 35 miles per US gallon (6.7 L/100 km; 42 mpg
-imp) for city driving cycle and 39 miles per US gallon (6.0 L/100 km; 47 mpg
-imp) for highway.
When comparing fuel economy to the CR-Z's older cousin, according to fueleconomy.gov, the 1988 gasoline-powered Honda CR-X HF had an EPA rating of 50 miles per US gallon (4.7 L/100 km; 60 mpg
-imp) for city driving and 56 miles per US gallon (4.2 L/100 km; 67 mpg
-imp) for highway. However, according to EPA's 2008 revised procedures, the CR-X rating is 41 miles per US gallon (5.7 L/100 km; 49 mpg
-imp) city driving, and 49 miles per US gallon (4.8 L/100 km; 59 mpg
-imp) highway driving.
It is ranked number four on 2011 EPA top ten list of fuel efficient vehicles for CVT equipped model and number ten for manual transmission equipped model.
Price and sales by region
Europe
The CR-Z is scheduled to be launched in the European market by mid 2010.
The European version of CR-Z was revealed at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. Price in the United Kingdom starts from GB£16,999.
Japan
Sales of the CR-Z began in Japan on February 26, 2010 at a starting price of ¥2.27 million (~
US$25,340) before any government subsidies.
Honda announced that in less than one month it has received orders for more than 10,000 vehicles, far exceeding its sales forecast.
As of the end of August 2010, more than 19,000 CR-Z were delivered and sales orders received are three times higher than expected, which led to Japanese media comparing its success with the NSX in the 1990s, another sports car from Honda.
In an interview in early February 2011, a Honda executive disclosed that Honda produces around 200,000 hybrids a year in Japan.
North America
Profile view of CR-Z
Sales in North America started on August 24, 2010.
The 2011 CR-Z is offered in three trim levels: base, EX, and EX with navigation. The base CR-Z starts at
US$19,950, the CR-Z EX starts at
US$21,510 and the EX with navigation trim is priced at
US$23,310.
The CR-Z pricing is similar to the Honda Insight and has a lower price than the market leader Toyota Prius
. After its launch in late August 2010, there were 3,349 Honda CR-Z sold as of end of October, 2010. It has been consistently ranked as the fourth most sold hybrid for September and October.
In addition to commercials airing during sporting events, Honda held a marketing competition available to universities throughout the United States. This competition allowed students to create public relations and social media campaigns for the vehicle.
A team from Syracuse University won first place in the competition, followed by runners-up New England School of Communications and University of LaVerne
. South Africa
Sales in South Africa are scheduled to begin on the 30th of August 2010 at a price of R299,999 (~
US$38,960) making it slightly cheaper than the entry level Prius for the South African market.
Australia
It is reported that Honda will release the CR-Z hybrid coupe in the Australian market in the middle of 2011
Racing
Two Honda Performance Development CR-Z Racers entered the 25-hour of Thunderhill endurance race held on December 4–5, 2010 at Willows, California. The car, first shown to the public at 2010 SEMA Show, is fully stripped down with lowered suspension. A turbo charger is bolted to the engine raising output to 175 hp (130 kW) and 155 lb·ft (210 N·m) of torque, furthermore, the Integrated Motor Assist setup is modified and a push-to-pass function is added, making a total of 200 hp (149 kW) and 175 lb·ft (237 N·m) of torque when the button is pressed.
One of the two entrants battled from a near 10-lap deficit to finish second in the Endurance 3 class, after suffering early in the race from two five-minute "stop-and-hold" penalties caused by refueling problems. The other entrant scored pole position of the class but failed to finish the race.
The Honda CR-Z was one of the most showcased cars during the SEMA show earlier in the year and one of the cars produced 533 hp (397 kW). This is what the hybrid engine could withstand in terms of power.
Awards and recognition
- Japan Car of The Year 2010-11
- 2010 Good Design Award from the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization
- 2010 Green Car of the Year awarded by Top Gear
- Most Economical & Environment Friendly Sports hybrid in the 2010 RAC Brighton to London Future Car Challenge
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| Honda CR-Z Car Steering Wheel |
