Having been the subject of
brochure leaks and other sneak previews for many months now, Honda's hybrid CR-Z has finally been
officially unveiled at the Detroit motor show.
The production car, though less dramatic than the concept, still looks great and remains remarkably close to the original design. Sharing styling cues with both the first and second-generation Insight hybrids and the first two generations of CRX, Honda claims that the car will be great fun to drive despite its modest power output of 122bhp and 128lb/ft of torque (at a low 1000-1500rpm). All this is provided by a 1.5 litre VTEC four-cylinder with Honda's IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) hybrid system.
The 60mph from rest benchmark comes up in just under ten seconds - not a figure that will set the world alight, but enough in a compact and lightweight hatch to have some fun, especially on UK roads. Honda's intentions for a great drive are spoken loudly by their decision to offer a six-speed manual transmission as well as the CVT typical of normal hybrids, and the CVT itself offers a paddle-shift mode. As with many modern cars with "sporting" intentions, the CR-Z offers a three-mode drive system with normal, sport and economy settings.
Economy on America's EPA cycle is estimated (in UK gallons) at 43mpg city and 46mpg highway for the CVT model and 37mpg/44mpg for the manual transmission, though this is of course determined by whether you choose to drive it like a hot hatch or like a hybrid...
The CR-Z is expected to go on sale in the Summer. If there's one car that Tarmac test drives this year, the CR-Z will be it! (Yes, those promised drives will start happening eventually...)
(All images: AutoBlog)
