Honda’s New Hot Hatch Hybrid

Honda’s New Hot Hatch Hybrid
Barretts Honda Canterbury, Kent

What is it?
The CR-Z is a sports hybrid coupe, the first car with this type of powertrain to get a six-speed manual gearbox. Its styling has strategic cues from the CR-X of the early 1980s, but it also looks modern. In fact, what's appealing about this coupe is that it looks like nothing else on the road; it's instantly recognisable as the CR-Z.

Sitting on a slightly shorter but wider Insight platform, the CR-Z uses a wheelbase that’s shrunk by 115mm, while it has also lost 30mm in height and is 44kg lighter.

The CR-Z does not just employ a revised version of the Insight’s platform, its Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system and a modified Insight rear suspension set-up. Wanting to enhance performance, engineers replaced the Insight’s 1.3-litre petrol engine with the 1.5-litre i-VTEC motor from the Jazz, then mated that to a revised six-speed manual transmission lifted out of the European-spec 1.8-litre Civic.

The combined power output of the CR-Z’s hybrid system is 122bhp at 6000rpm, while combined torque is 128lb ft at 1500rpm. The car offered a combined 58mpg. Oh, and by the way, the CR-Z still employs nickel metal hydride batteries.

What's it like?
Slip into the driver’s seat and you'll sense how much lower you sit in the CR-Z than in an Insight. There’s plenty of headroom for driver’s up to 194cm, but forget the rear seats, which would struggle to hold a 12-year old. Interior trim and quality are superior to the Insight's, and the instrumentation boasts more design flair. Flatten the rear seats and you create 401 litres of luggage space, enough for a couple of suitcases or two golfbags.

The IMA system offers three driving modes: sport, which uses the electric motor to aid acceleration, and normal and econ, which retard throttle response to reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions.
The first thing you notice is the CR-Z’s beefy bottom-end torque. With maximum torque on tap from just 1500rpm, the coupe jumps from rest and reaches 60mph in 9sec, as you clear the 6300rpm redline in second. It's noticeably faster than the Insight.

Keep the engine spinning between 4000rpm and 6000rpm and the CR-Z will reward any right-foot extension, while the specially tuned throatier exhaust adds to the all-new sporty hybrid experience.
After trying all three modes, we found ourselves leaving the CR-Z in sport; it offers quicker response at both low and high speeds and suits the characteristics of this car perfectly.

With world-beating manual gearboxes like those in the S2000, NSX and Civic Type R, the CR-Z had a lot to live up to. And thanks to some inspired revision on the European Civic’s gearbox, the CR-Z’s six-speed delivers deliciously short throws and a firm, precise linkage action.

Honda paid special attention to steering too. It's superbly weighted, has excellent feel and turns in on a penny. Combined with enhanced rigidity throughout the chassis and bodyshell, a significant revision to the torsion bar set-up on the rear suspension is another reason why the car handles and rides so well. The CR-Z is stiff but compliant.

The CR-Z’s main braking system is hydraulic, and it uses the regenerative braking only as an ‘assist mechanism’. The result is refreshing; unlike the current crop of hybrids, which deliver a somewhat synthetic feel, the CR-Z offers sure-footed stopping power every time.

Should I buy one?
Honda is convinced that it has launched this coupe at the right time, and it may have a point. With its low-slung, sporty looks, high interior quality, good performance and fuel economy, great gearbox and low price, the CR-Z should spice up interest in hybrids, and force a wider cross-section of the motoring public to pay attention to this type of vehicle. Watch out for the high performance Mugen version in 2011, too.

Orders are being taken now call Barretts Honda today on 01227 866266 or visit our dedicated Honda CR-Z page here>>>

To be kept up to date on news, new products, offers and events at Barretts Honda you can now follow us on Twitter:

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Honda CR-Z Prices

Barretts Honda announce CR-Z prices
Honda CR-Z Hybrid Coupe prices released

 

Barretts Honda are delighted to announce the impressive specification and highly competitive pricing for the all new CR-Z hybrid coupe.

The CR-Z is the world’s first sporty hybrid coupe; a great looking car that’s exciting to drive and has all the benefits of advanced, low emission hybrid technology. As well as our petrol-electric IMA system, the car features three driving modes, which allows the driver to adapt the settings of the car to suit their needs –to maximise economy or to dash in and out of traffic, for example.

Equipment
The CR-Z boasts a generous specification with all grades benefitting from six airbags, active headrests, Vehicle Stability Assist. All models come fitted with climate control, 6-speaker CD player and an engine start button.

S grades boast 16” alloy wheels, heated door mirrors, auto rear dimming mirror, electric windows, daytime running lights, Shift Indicator Light (SIL) and auxiliary socketfor MP3 players.

Meanwhile, Sport grades have additional ambient lighting, alloy pedals, cruise control, leather gear shift, multi function steering wheel, parking sensors, privacy glass, 240W premium audio system, boot-mounted subwoofer and USB port for MP3 players.

Top grade GT models are equipped with the above, plus full leather upholstery and heated front seats, panoramic glass roof, HID Xenon headlights, Hands-Free Telephone (HFT), and automatic headlights and wipers. GT models are available with optional DVD Satellite Navigation.

Prices

The CR-Z GT is £19,999.00 on the road
The CR-Z Sport is £17,999.00 on the road
The CR-Z S is £16,999.00 on the road

Orders are being taken now call Barretts Honda today on 01227 866266 or visit our dedicated Honda CR-Z page here>>>

To be kept up to date on news, new products, offers and events at Barretts Honda you can now follow us on Twitter:

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Honda Eco CR-Z Type R

Auto Express - 12th February 2010
 
Honda’s eco Type R promises 45mpg economy as bigger electric motor boosts power to 200bhp. From hybrid to high-performance! 

Honda’s new petrol-electric coupe, the CR-Z, is being readied for Type R treatment, and Auto Express can bring you the first exclusive images of how the hot new model is shaping up.Revealed in production trim at this January’s Detroit Motor Show, the CR-Z has already caused quite a stir by marrying a sporty three-door body with a fuel efficient hybrid powertrain – creating the world’s first truly desirable sports hybrid in the process. But the Japanese firm is going one step further with this stunning Type R version, which boasts a raft of head-turning design cues, and a more powerful hybrid powertrain under the skin.

A tarmac-hugging bodykit will create a clear definition between the standard car and this high-performance variant, and includes daytime running lights in the front apron and a black rear diffuser with integrated exhaust pipes. But it’s the colour scheme that will be most recogniseable to Type R fans.

A black bonnet, wing mirrors and wheels set against an alpine-white paint scheme will make the CR-Z stand out in a crowd. Blacked-out A-pillars are a new styling cue - giving the impression of a glass area that wraps around the car.

The standard CR-Z uses a 102bhp 1.5-litre engine coupled to a 20bhp electric motor for a total output of just 122bhp - but the Type-R is set to offer much more than that! Mugen, Honda’s official tuning arm, is reportedly being lined-up to work its magic on the CR-Z and boost its performance credentials.

There had been rumours that a reworked version of the Civic Type R’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine could make it into the CR-Z Type-R, but because the coupe has been designed as a hybrid from the outset, a petrol-electric powertrain is a must.

The front-wheel drive layout and six-speed manual gearbox will remain, but expect the naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre engine to be cranked up to around 150bhp and mated to a larger 50bhp electric motor. The combined output of 200bhp will move the Type-R into serious performance territory with a 0-60mph time of close to six seconds, three seconds faster than the 122bhp CR-Z, and a top speed of 140mph.

The standard car’s three driving modes will also be extended to four, to include an additional Sport Plus setting. Select it and the throttle response, steering, timing of the stop-start system and the level of assitance from the electric motor will be set for maximum performance. Upgraded brakes and stiffened suspension will complete the package.

Our sources have revealed that the CR-Z Type R is already being prepared for a debut at next year’s Tokyo Motor Show before going on sale in Japan in late 2011. UK sales are set to commence a few months after that with prices starting from around £20,000.

Read more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/248239/hondas_new_crz_type_r.html#ixzz0fuaw6YOE

For more information call Barretts Honda on 01227 866266 or email us here>>>

Register for more details on the new Honda CR-Z on our dedicated page>>>

To be kept up to date on news, new products, offers and events at Barretts Honda you can now follow us on Twitter:

BarrettsHonda: http://twitter.com/BarrettsHonda

A part of the Barretts Motor Group www.barrettskent.co.uk

The CRZ coming soon to Barretts Honda.

Honda personnel discuss the design philosophy behind the 2011 CR-Z Sport Hybrid Coupe at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.



To register your interest in the new Honda CR-Z or to be kept up to date with news on this exciting new model please follow this link to our dedicated page>>>

To be kept up to date on news, new products, offers and events at Barretts Honda please follow us on Twitter: BarrettsHonda

Honda CR-Z Sports Hybrid

Take a look at the hottest hybrid ever!

Nearly two years ago, Honda teased us with the stunning CR-Z concept.

Now, the company has released the first official images of its groundbreaking sports car in production-ready form, ahead of the model’s Tokyo Motor Show debut.

Bringing true desirability to hybrids for the first time, the CR-Z will tackle more conventional coupés such as VW’s Scirocco. It follows the less sporty Insight – a model which also blazed a new trail by proving a petrol-electric car needn’t be costly.

While it took 18 years to materialise, this machine is the spiritual successor to the second-generation CRX coupé built between 1988 and 1991. And many of its trademark features, such as the glass panel below the boot spoiler and the elongated window profile, have been carried over.

For further information on Honda please contact our sales team on 01227 866266