You may recall that Honda actually tried this approach several years ago with the Accord Hybrid, Accord V6 a promising solid performance and improved fuel economy. Sales were slow, however, and Honda has canceled the car after a short term. Of course, those of you with an even longer memory also remember the original Honda CRX, CR-Z crystallizes spiritual predecessor to Honda's reputation for building cars fun and effective from the 1980s through the early 1990.
As the old CRX, CR-Z is front-wheel drive with two doors and two seats. Mechanically, however, the CR-Z is related to the latest Honda Insight hybrid, shares its basic structure and suspension design. To bring a bit of sport that Honda is the formula shorter than the CR-Z on one foot, the road was widened and a slight reduction in height in a few centimeters. This division does not reduce the empty weight of everything you would expect (the CR-Z weighs about 80 pounds lighter than the Insight) but makes the car CR-Z the most agile, you can buy.
Under Integrated Motor Assist Honda is familiar bell (IMA) mild hybrid system. For more power, the CR-Z starts with a gasoline engine a little larger than the penetration (1.5 vs. 1.3 liters), which produces 112 horsepower and 107 lb-ft of torque. The electric motor is the same and produces another 13 horsepower and 58 lb-ft. In particular, Honda offers a six-speed manual transmission, besides the typical hybrid drive continuously variable (CVT). The resulting fuel economy is not exactly like the Prius, but still quite good, with the return of the CVT variant mpg in the city about 35 and 39 mpg highway.
The end result of all this is that Honda has effectively created a hybrid sport. CR-Z seems strong and is fun to drive around the city thanks to its small size and quick steering. There are certainly pleased to have a winding road, too. But when you press the CR-Z really hard, its dynamic limits quickly accessible via the tire grip and roll remarkably modest. Serious driving enthusiasts will likely be put out of it and maybe along the way Honda will see fit to make a sporty version of silicon.
The layout makes two-door/two-seat Honda CR-Z 2011 an anomaly near the market, but there are more conventional choices. Mini Cooper has the closest competition, and it has some advantages such as a rear seat (albeit a small one), and greater customization. Another option is the new Ford Fiesta. Although a four-door, it is also small, economical and sporty to drive. Both of these competitors may have functions with CR-Z is absent, such as a sunroof, keyless ignition, heated leather seats. Scion tC is also new to watch. However, we like the CR-Z and we believe that consumers looking for a sports city will be happy.
