| Manufacturer | Honda |
|---|---|
| Production | 2010-present |
| Assembly | Suzuka, Japan |
| Predecessor | Honda CR-X |
| Class | Subcompact/supermini |
| Body style | 3-door hatchback[1] |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Engine | Honda Hybrid System Gasoline: 1.5 L LEA I4 1,496 cc (91.3 cu in) SOHC 16-valve i-VTEC · (CVT) - 111 hp (83 kW) @ 6000rpm 106 lb·ft (144 N·m) @ 4800rpm · (MT) - 112 hp (84 kW) @ 6000rpm 107 lb·ft (145 N·m) @ 4800rpm Electric: DC brushless motor - MF6 Model 14 hp (10 kW) @ 1500 rpm 58 lb·ft (79 N·m) @ 1000 rpm[2] |
| Transmission | CVT 6-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 2,435 mm (95.9 in) |
| Length | 4,080 mm (160.6 in) |
| Width | 1,740 mm (68.5 in) |
| Height | 1,395 mm (54.9 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,236 kg (2,720 lb) (CVT) 1,211 kg (2,670 lb) (MT) |
| Related | Honda Insight Honda Fit Hybrid |
The Honda CR-Z is a compact hybrid electric automobile manufactured by Honda and marketed as a "sport hybrid coupe."[3] The CR-Z combines a hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain with traditional sports car[4] elements. The CR-Z is regarded as the spiritual successor to the second generation Honda CR-X in both name and exterior design.[5] [6]
In the U.S., it is one of the least 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.[7]
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.[3] Sales of the CR-Z began in Japan in February 2010.[8] Sales in the U.S. began in August 2010.[9]
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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.[10]
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".[12]
The CR-Z was first shown in America at the 2008 Detroit North American International Auto Show.[13] In the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, Honda displayed a revised "CR-Z Concept 2009".[14] In January 2010, Honda introduced the production CR-Z at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.[15]
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.[16] Honda has been promoting the 2011 model from the Facebook game Car Town.[17]
The project leader, Norio Tomobe, worked previously as chief engineer on Mobilio Spike and Elysion.
The basic concept of CR-Z is said to create a fun-to-drive sports car driving characteristics Honda aspired from that of the Elise, as well as the Mini and Volkswagen Scirocco. In a video, Torikai, the chief chassis engineer of CR-Z, explained that during the development process “this car was brought to Europe at each prototype stage to be tested under various road conditions to evaluate whether the desired performance had been achieved.”
Norio Tomobe believes the hybrid element will make it a sports car without guilt.[18]
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.[19] 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.[20] Inside Line performed the same 0-60 mph test in 8.8 seconds, and Motor Trend, in 8.3 seconds.
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.[8]
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.[21]
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.[22]
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.[23]
Road and Track reports that the handling is good, with mild under-steer and firm suspension. One might say in spite of front wheel drive and (space saving) MacPherson strut front suspension, neither of which is typical of full-out sports cars.
The CR-Z was launched in the European market in mid-2010 [24] after having been revealed at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. The price in the United Kingdom starts from GB£16,999.[25]
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.[8][26] Honda announced that in less than one month it has received orders for more than 10,000 vehicles, far exceeding its sales forecast.[27]
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.[28] In an interview in early February 2011, a Honda executive disclosed that Honda produces around 200,000 hybrids a year in Japan.[29]
Sales in North America started on August 24, 2010.[9][21] 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.[30] The CR-Z pricing is similar to the Honda Insight and has a lower price than the market leader Toyota Prius.[30]
After its launch in late August 2010, there were 3,349 Honda CR-Z sold as of end of October, 2010. It ranked as the fourth most sold hybrid in the U.S. for September and October of that year.[31] U.S. sales for year 2010 reached 5,249 units, and ranked 11th in hybrid sales for that year.[32] For year 2011 cumulative sales of the CR-Z in the U.S. reached 9,635 units through August, ranking number four in hybrid sales in 2011 and outsold only by the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Honda Insight, and Toyota Prius.[33]
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.[34] A team from Syracuse University won first place in the competition, followed by runners-up New England School of Communications and University of LaVerne.[35]
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.[36]
It is reported that Honda will release the CR-Z hybrid coupe in the Australian market in the middle of 2011.[37]
The CR-Z was launched for Malaysian market on 3 November 2011, with the price tag of RM115,000.[38][39] The introduction of the CR-Z was as a response of the announcement of the Malaysian Budget 2012 by the federal government that offers 100% import and excise tax cuts to imported hybrid vehicles.[40] The 6-speed manual model is offered first, when the CVT version will arrive next year.
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 utilizing components from San Francisco's Mission Motors 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.[41][42] 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.[43][44] 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.[45]
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