The CR-Z: Honda's fun little hybrid

Honda may have come up with the first fun hybrid car. The Insight, Prius, Camry, and Fusion are all very practical hybrids, and Lexus makes a few comfortable cruisers. But the 2011 Honda CR-Z made us want to drive fast. We wanted to find the most winding road around and torture the car through the corners.

Honda obliged during our preview drive, prescribing a twisty route north of San Francisco we've previously used to test the BMW M3, Porsche 911, and Audi R8. Those cars had it all over the CR-Z for power and speed, but the plucky little CR-Z showed its stuff in the turns. Honda also set out an autocross course so we could really thrash the CR-Z, a test that we haven't previously seen a hybrid put through.

The CR-Z certainly has its quirks. In other markets it is produced with 2+2 seating, but Honda removed the rear seats for the U.S., launching it as a two-seater. We assume Honda thinks Americans are too fat to use the tiny rear seats. We're not going to argue the point.

The CR-Z's hatchback design means it offers decent cargo space in back; removing the rear seats adds an oddly formed cargo area immediately behind the front seats, the two spaces divided by the former rear seat back rest.

Honda CR-Z and Fit hybrids on sale in 2010

The Honda CEO, Takanobu Ito, has announced the plans to begin sales in Japan of the CR-Z hybrid sports car in February 2010 and a Fit hybrid before the end of 2010.

By combining these two models with the currently available Insight and Civic Hybrid, Honda will further enhance its lineup of compact hybrid models and swell Honda's hybrid portfolio to four models. More importantly, this helps it become one of the ‘greenest’ automakers in the world and makes Honda’s plan to increase hybrid production to 500,000 units per year by 2012 achievable.

Both cars will be powered by Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA), also found in the Insight and Civic hybrids. In the case of the Insight, the IMA incorporates a 13hp (10kW) electric motor and a compact Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) – recapturing and storing kinetic energy from vehicle braking and deceleration and supplying additional power for acceleration when needed.

The CR-Z will be heavily influenced by its concept car which was debuted at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. The CR-Z, promising eco-conscious buyers a car that is both stylish and fun to drive, is expected to make its world debut in production trim at this October’s Tokyo Motor Show.

The CR-Z is currently being designed and engineered in Europe, its expected largest market, but will likely be sold as a global vehicle. And it is rumored to feature either a 140 horsepower, 1.8-liter engine, or a larger, more powerful 2.5-liter unit from its hybrid drivetrain.

Not much is known about the Fit hybrid but previous reports have suggested that it could cost about ¥1.5 million (approximately $15,800) when it goes on sale late next year.

As for other market, American Honda Motor spokesman Chuck Schifsky said, "We can confirm that the CR-Z will go on sale in the U.S. in 2010," but added, "We are not ready to announce any plans for the sale of the Fit Hybrid in regions outside of Japan."

Honda also confirmed they are working on a new hybrid powertrain for larger-sized vehicles, but no release dates have been mentioned yet.

Honda CR-Z Concept Based Hybrid Sports Car coming to Tokyo Motor Show debut

Honda is working on a hybrid sports car based on the 2007 CR-Z concept car, which is expected to make a debut at this October’s Tokyo Motor Show.

Designed as a spiritual successor to the original Honda CRX, the production version of the CR-Z is expected to be powered by a compact four-cylinder engine displacing less than 1.5L and matched to an electric motor. The combined output for the car should be close to 140hp (105kW), with drive sent to the front wheels via a CVT, according to AutoWeek.nl.

Other reports from U.S. sources indicate that Honda may go with a 1.8L engine. It turns out that both assumptions could be right giving the U.S. market a higher torque engine to suit its needs while equipping Japanese and European models with a more efficient engine.

But the hybrid is still in development stage so many things will probably be changed until it finally reaches the market. The car will feature many lightweight materials that would cut the overall weight of the car and help the engines achieve better fuel consumption ratings and enhanced performance figures.

We expect more details as the debut closer. Keep attention.