Honda Cars : Honda’s Hot New Hybrid a Blast from the Past | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

*Edit*
Here's a really good read on the new CR-Z by Jim Bray.... out of respect for Jim, I have just added the link, check it out, you'll find a well thought out article, all the best Jim!

http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/26815

Honda Cars : 2011 Honda CR-Z - Special Feature | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Here's a great article by Road & Track....

Not so fast…Honda’s new hybrid sporty car is coming soon, while the Spoon aftermarket version may revolutionize the genre.
When we discovered that Honda’s upcoming hybrid sporty car, the CR-Z, had already gone on sale in Japan (several months earlier than in the U.S.), the decision to fly over and be among the first American car magazines to drive it was an easy one to make, especially when considering that one of my good car-journalist friends, Yohei Hashimoto, had just purchased a CR-Z and offered a drive of it on a racetrack. The deal was made even sweeter when Spoon Sports, a prominent Japanese Honda tuner and race team, asked if I would be interested in driving the world’s first tuned CR-Z, one with added power and improved handling.

Although the media buzz surrounding the CR-Z has been tame so far in the U.S., within the walls of Honda’s head offices in Tokyo, this new hybrid represents a big turning point in the way the company will build sports cars in the foreseeable future. That’s saying a lot when you consider this car is being treated with about the same level of importance as the S600, S2000 and the Acura NSX.

That said, when you look at its specs, one thing is crystal clear: To say that the CR-Z is a true sports car would be like calling takeout sushi a gourmet meal. The car is front-wheel drive and powered by a hybrid powertrain that consists of a 1.5-liter dual-cam inline-4 (the same i-VTEC engine as in the Honda Fit) and an electric motor, producing a paltry 122 bhp combined. And it’s not exactly lightweight, tipping the scales at an estimated 2560 lb. But what makes this car special is that, like its spiritual predecessor, the CRX, its compact dimensions and rigid chassis allow it to make up in handling what it gives up in brute force.

We gathered at Sodegaura Forest Raceway, a new racetrack about an hour east of Tokyo in Chiba Prefecture, to wring out this car. Hashimoto’s bronze CR-Z looks larger in the flesh than in photos and is quite a bit larger than the CRX. Also, the Japan-market version is a 2+2; our CR-Z will be a 2-seater. Honda says that despite the extra seats in the Japanese car, the curb weight will be close to the same. The CR-Z stretches 160.6 in. from bumper to bumper with a 95.8-in. wheelbase. (The 1986 CRX had an overall length of 148.5 in. and a wheelbase of 90.6.) The exterior styling of the CR-Z is sporty, with a face characterized by rectangular headlights and a large grille mimicking the snout of a bull shark. The character line that runs from the flared front fenders to the taillights gives the car a dynamic profile, making it seem like it’s in motion when standing still.

Step inside, and the cabin is classic Honda. The dashboard is a tasteful presentation of form following function as all the main controls surround the driver, and the video LCD monitor is mounted right in the middle of the dash. There’s plenty of head room here, as my 5-ft. 8-in. frame experienced no problems getting in and out of the car—anyone up to a half-foot taller should have no problem getting comfortable.

The gasoline engine comes to life as you turn the key. After you get moving, it’s programmed to shut off whenever the car stops, such as at a light or when in rush-hour traffic. Honda’s IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) system allows the CR-Z to attain AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology-Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) status, and get about 36/38 mpg (with the CVT). Honda believes it’s likely the greenest affordable sports coupe in the world.

The CR-Z is equipped with three driving modes: Sport, Normal and Economy.Press the Sport button to get the most aggressive setting for throttle response, electric power steering effort and electric motor power assist. The CR-Z gets off the line in a spirited manner, feeling like it unleashes all of its 128 lb.-ft. of torque at once. The forward surge doesn’t last long as the engine runs out of steam when it hits the 4000-rpm mark. We ran our acceleration tests with a CVT-equipped car, which felt quicker than the test numbers actually indicate. It hit 60 mph in 10.5 seconds and the quarter-mile mark in 17.6. We hope the 6-speed manual will be a step quicker.
But a car doesn’t have to be fast in a straight line to be sporty, as fans of the Mazda MX-5 and even the Honda CRX can attest. The compact CR-Z hatchback turns in crisply, with the power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering providing excellent feel and precision. There’s noticeable understeer at turn-in, and the rear does come out if you brake too hard into a corner. The weight of the battery and gasoline tank placed near the rear of the car helps the weight distribution, which is 62/38 front/rear. Ride quality is excellent, thanks to the suspension—MacPherson struts up front and an H-shaped torsion beam at the rear—and stiff chassis. Although our stint with the car on public roads was limited, it’s obvious that the CR-Z flourishes on the open road and in big-city traffic. In short, it’s a car that anyone, from urban commuters to enthusiastic weekend canyon carvers, can enjoy.

The CR-Z is expected to go on sale in the U.S. in late summer. Although prices haven’t been announced, it’s safe to expect they’ll range from about $20,000 to $28,000.


2011 Honda CR-ZSpecifications
List price: est $20,000
Curb weight: est 2560 lb
Weight distribution: f/r, 62/38
Wheelbase: 95.8 in.
Length: 160.6 in.
Width: 68.5 in.
Height: 54.9 in.


Engine
Type: alum. block & heads dohc 4-valve/cyl inline-4 IMA hybrid
Bore x stroke: 73.0 x 89.4 mm
Compression ratio: 10.4:1
Horsepower (gasoline engine): 111 bhp @ 6000 rpm
Horsepower (combined w/elect. motor): 122 bhp @ 6000 rpm
Torque (gasoline engine): 106 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm
Torque (combined w/elect. motor): 128 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm
Fuel injection: elect. sequential port
Recommended fuel: regular
Transmission: CVT


Chassis & Body
Layout: front engine/front drive
Body/frame: unit steel
Brakes f/r: vented discs/discs, ABS
Wheels: cast alloy, 16 x 6J
Tires: 195/55R-16
Steering: rack & pinion, power assist
Suspension f/r: MacPherson struts, coil springs, tube shocks, anti-roll bar/H-shaped torsion beam, coil springs, tube shocks

Fuel Economy
City/highway: est 36/38 mpg (US Gallon)
Fuel capacity: 10.5 gal.

Performance
0–60 mph: sec 10.5
0–100 mph: sec 30.0
¼-mile: sec 17.6 @ 80.1 mph

Spoon Sports CR-Z
Tatsuru Ichishima, president of Spoon Sports, calls the CR-Z the new “image car” for Honda, effectively blending sportiness with economy while being gentle on the environment. That said, when asked if he could be content with a “sporty car” that ran to 60 mph in over 10 sec., he smiled and ever-so-slightly shook his head. Now we know why the Spoon Sports CR-Z was created.

This new Spoon creation closely follows Ichishima’s philosophy on car tuning. Instead of just throwing on a turbocharger and saying, “There it is, a car with more power,” Ichishima says he strives to improve the spirit of the car, not merely its performance. He focuses on two main points: a car’s force (where he improves power, reduces weight and reduces friction of all moving parts) and its athleticism (where he improves handling and stiffens the chassis). For more on Spoon, check out our past stories on the company’s special NSX Type R and 25 Hours of Thunderhill race car.

Upon first glance, the car hardly looks like the original. It sits much closer to the ground, lowered by about 1.5 in., and its frontal appearance is highlighted by a black carbon-fiber hood. But as with all Spoon products, the most significant changes were made underneath the skin. Spoon took apart the 1.5-liter inline-4 and reassembled the i-VTEC powerplant with many of its own parts, including the Engine Torque Damper Kit, Big Throttle Body Assembly, Baffle Oil Pan, new plugs, and a new final drive for the 6-speed manual gearbox. The ECU was remapped, increasing redline from 6200 rpm to 8500, with increased midrange torque. Of particular note is Spoon’s new exhaust system that makes this hybrid sound like an Italian exotic. The engine and motor now produce roughly 145 bhp and about 150 lb.-ft. of torque.

Spoon also went to work on the interior and chassis, removing anything that weighed the car down, swapping some components with lighter pieces. In the end, Spoon claims it removed about 220 lb. Inside the cabin, the lightweight bucket seats and custom steering wheel are a dead giveaway that this isn’t your sister’s CR-Z. Mash the throttle, and the car leaves the line in the same way as the original, with verve, but this car seems to get stronger as the engine revs rise. The Spoon Sports CR-Z with a 6-speed manual gearbox dashed to 60 mph in a scant 7.3 sec. and to the quarter mile in 15.9, leaving the stock version in its dust. Naturally, the car’s fuel economy takes a hit; we predict the Spoon CR-Z will get around 25/29 mpg city/highway.

The car’s handling is much sharper, the result of stiffer springs and shocks, and thicker anti-roll bars. Spoon also installed a custom limited-slip differential, while the body structure was stiffened via the company’s Subframe Rigid Collar Kit. New brakes at all four corners help the car stop better. All these changes pay noticeable dividends in the car’s on-track performance. Turn-in feels much crisper, more akin to that of an Acura TSX than a Honda Civic Si, and the overall handling balance is closer to neutral. At the track, the Spoon Sports showed its machismo by turning in a lap time of 1:34.6, nearly 5 sec. quicker than the stock car’s.

From the driver’s seat, every action and reaction of the Spoon car feels much sharper than the original; in fact, you would swear you were driving an entirely different class of car. Spoon is currently working on a race version of the CR-Z that Ichishima says will introduce a new era in endurance racing. He plans to have this car finished for the 25 Hours of Thunderhill in December.

This tuner version of the CR-Z will be available as a complete car later this year for about $8000 plus the cost of the car. The various Spoon parts will also be available separately. For more information, go to the company’s website at www.spoon sports.us. Whatever option you choose, one thing is for sure: Thanks to the Spoon touch, the CR-Z is more than just a sporty car, it’s a bona fide sports car.

Source;
http://www.roadandtrack.com/special_feature/2011-honda-cr-z

Honda Cars : Could Honda CR-Z Be The World's First Sexy Hybrid? | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda’s new CR-Z hybrid coupe is schedule to hit dealerships in the UK and USA at about the same time this summer. But while the Honda CR-Z has so far remained under the radar in America, the small sporty hybrid is garnering a lot of positive press on the other side of the pond.

We can’t imagine that Honda Motor Europe’s project in group filmmaking, Live Every Litre, is the reason for the extra attention. The marketing effort—hypothetically designed to promote the CR-Z as hip—yielded a set of YouTube road trip vignettes that induce equal parts confusion and boredom. Nonetheless, a trio of British auto reviewers recently reported a much better time from behind the wheel of the CR-Z.

Quentin Willson of The Mirror was nearly ecstatic about the car. He wrote that the CR-Z “is set to become one of the most desirable cars on the planet.” Willson added, “Looking like nothing else on the road, with a wonderful swooping roofline, it's a lulu to drive.”

He praised the CR-Z’s handling and steering. “This is one of Honda's best cars yet, and the world's first truly sporting hybrid coupe…Sustainability never looked sexier.”

Jason Barlow of BBC’s Top Gear—usually no fan of hybrids—agreed with Willson. “By sticking the Insight's hybrid tech into something that doesn't look like a slapped arse,” Barlow quipped, “Honda might finally have made eco motoring sexy.” Barlow also praised the CR-Z for its handling. “It's proper fun to drive,” Barlow wrote.

Andrew English of The Telegraph was generally positive, but not as effusive as the others. English dinged the CR-Z for poor visibility in the corners and through the back, for limited space in the rear seats, for braking that feels “wooden,” and for too much body roll. Yet, he granted the CR-Z as “sporting by hybrid standards” and concluded that it’s “a likeable little car.”

Small and Sexy in America As Well?
Meanwhile back on home turf, American Honda Motor Co.’s John Mendel, executive vice president of sales, said the CR-Z will appeal to tuners, who modify and tweak their rides for maximum performance and individual style. He told Automotive News that Honda research showed that tuners are excited about the CR-Z because it’s reminiscent of the old Honda CR-X, one of the ultimate tuner vehicles.

In other words, the CR-Z might inadvertently create a whole new market of hybrid buyers. Forget about the traditional hybrid puritans, who have expressed disappointment in the CR-Z because it averages merely 37 mpg. The people most likely to buy the car probably won’t give a damn one way or the other if it’s hybrid. It just looks cool and is fun to drive. Full stop.

As far as we're concerned, anything that adds pizzazz and sex appeal to hybrids is a step in the right direction.

Source (via autoblog);
http://www.hybridcars.com/decision-process/could-honda-cr-z-be-worlds-first-sexy-hybrid-27959.html

Honda Cars : 2011 Honda CR-Z: the car for today’s and yesterday’s tuners? | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Regarding the Honda CR-Z sports hybrid coupe, the Japanese manufacturer’s main target are today’s and yesterday’s tuners. How is that?

Well, according to John Mendel, executive vice president for automobile sales at American Honda Motor Co., the research shows that the “young people and guys my age, because it’s reminiscent of the CR-X, which was the ultimate tuner vehicle.” “We thought maybe the hybrid would turn the tuners off,” Mendel said. “Basically, they just say, ‘It’s 20 extra horsepower — what the hell.’ ” In order to reach younger buyers, the Japanese manufacturer is planning to use social media but sponsoring the concert tours of musical acts with a multigenerational appeal might work with both groups. For those who don’t know, the Honda CR-Z is powered by a 1.5-liter petrol engine delivering 102 hp and an electric motor capable to deliver 20 hp. This means that the car has a total output of 122 hp and 128 lb-ft. of torque at 1,000 to 1,500 rpm (123 lb-ft on CVT-equipped models). P.S. You may also want to check the Mugen CR-Z and the CR-Z ZF1 by C-West!

Source;
http://www.4wheelsnews.com/2011-honda-cr-z-the-car-for-todays-and-yesterdays-tuners/#more-8160

Honda Cars : 2011 Honda CRZ Video | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda Cars : Production Version of 2011 Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid Coupe Makes Official Debut | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

01/11/2010 - DETROIT -
The all-new 2011 Honda CR-Z sport hybrid coupe, making its U.S. production debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, introduces sleek styling and sporty handling to the hybrid segment, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.

"The CR-Z is a personal sport hybrid coupe for people with a spirit of adventure and an elevated sense of responsibility toward the environment," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. "It's the first hybrid designed to maximize style and fun, in addition to efficiency and economy."

Set to go on sale late summer in the U.S., the CR-Z is powered by a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine with Honda's compact and lightweight Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid-electric system. The two-passenger CR-Z introduces a new three-mode drive system that allows the driver to select between Sport, Econ (Economy) and Normal driving modes.

The exterior's distinctive "one-motion" wedge form originates from its low-slung hood to form a broad forward stance. A side profile with a deeply inset beltline conveys a dynamic tension, while the short wheelbase and large, wide front grille accents the vehicle's athletic presence.

The futuristically styled interior offers a high-tech appearance and ergonomically intuitive controls. Instrument panel meters illuminate with a three-dimensional, vibrant blue color theme resulting in a multi-layered appearance. Set against a motif of textured black materials and aluminum-style trim accents, the upper portion of the dashboard extends toward the driver to provide a wrap-around cockpit environment. The passenger zone offers an open, comfortable space. Premium sport-oriented cloth seats are designed to provide excellent lateral support along with everyday driving comfort. A mid-ship console behind the front seats optimizes cargo space. A hard-shell separator can be closed to create additional hidden storage.

The two trim levels include the well-equipped CR-Z and the feature-rich CR-Z EX. A six-speed manual transmission is standard equipment and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is available. Standard features on the CR-Z include Vehicle Stability Assist, an AM/FM/CD/USB audio system with six speakers, automatic climate control, power windows and door locks, remote entry, cruise control, and more. The CR-Z EX adds, High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Headlights with Auto-On/Off, fog lights, a 360-Watt AM/FM/CD premium audio system with seven speakers including subwoofer, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®, perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and more. The CR-Z EX is available with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System1 with voice recognition.

The CR-Z represents the sixth unique version of Honda's original IMA technology since the launch of the 2000 Insight, the first hybrid vehicle available in North America in December 1999. The foundation of the CR-Z's hybrid powertrain is a 4-cylinder, 16-valve, single overhead cam engine with "intelligent" Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (i-VTEC) that receives additional power from the IMA system's DC brushless electric motor. The i-VTEC system controls the opening and closing of one intake valve per cylinder to enhance combustion at low RPMs. The 10-kilowatt electric motor assists in acceleration and also acts as a generator during braking or coasting to capture kinetic energy that recharges the 100-volt IMA nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The gasoline engine can automatically turn off during vehicle stops to improve efficiency.

The system delivers a combined peak output of 122 horsepower2 at 6,000 rpm and 128 lb-ft. of torque2 at 1,000 to 1,500 rpm (123 lb-ft on CVT-equipped models). Preliminary fuel economy estimates are anticipated to result in a rating of 36 city/38 highway miles per gallon3 on CVT-equipped models. Manual transmission models are anticipated to achieve an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 31 city/37 highway miles per gallon3. The CR-Z is rated as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) in states that adhere to California Air Resource Board (CARB) ZEV standards (EPA Tier 2, Bin 2 in all states).

The standard six-speed manual transmission is engineered for optimal acceleration performance in gears one through five and for optimal fuel economy in sixth gear. When starting on steep inclines from a stop, hill start assist temporarily prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards during the moment between releasing the brake, depressing the throttle and releasing the clutch (for a duration of approximately 1.5 seconds). The available CVT provides the convenience of an automatic transmission with a seamless transition between minimum and maximum ratios, while also keeping the engine within an optimal RPM range for overall efficiency. To increase the performance potential of the CVT, paddle shifters located on the steering wheel allow the driver to manually simulate the stepped holding pattern. In Sport mode, the paddle shifters will hold and maintain a selected ratio. The CR-Z's three-mode drive system allows the driver to select between individual modes of performance for Sport, Normal and Economy driving styles. The system is activated via three backlit buttons to the left of the steering wheel.

The Sport mode enhances multiple vehicle systems for performance including the engine throttle responsiveness, electric power steering effort and the electric motor power assist. The inner ring of the tachometer illuminates red when the vehicle is in Sport mode.

During Econ mode operation, the engine's responsiveness is tuned for optimal economy, the electric motor assist gives priority to fuel efficiency and the air conditioning system can reduce its overall load on the engine. The inner ring of the tachometer transitions between blue and green when the vehicle is in Econ mode, with the green representing more ecological driving.

Normal mode provides standard settings for steering, engine response, motor assist and air conditioning. Similar to Econ mode, the tachometer ring transitions between blue and green when the vehicle is in normal mode, with the green representing more ecological driving. Like the Honda Insight, the CR-Z offers an Eco Guide and Eco scoring feature to help drivers track progress of efficient driving styles.

The front MacPherson strut suspension and rear H-shaped torsion beam suspension settings are tuned to provide a sporty, solid and dynamic driving experience. All models are equipped with 16x6-inch aluminum wheels with 195/55 R16 86V tires. Accessory 17x7 alloy wheels with 205/45R17 84V tires with are available. The standard anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake distribution (EBD) uses ventilated front discs and solid rear discs. The low vehicle height and placement of the battery and other hybrid components beneath the rear cargo area further contribute to a low center of gravity, which is key to the new CR-Z's responsive, sporty handling. Electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering enhances steering performance and improves efficiency.

In addition to being environmentally responsible, the CR-Z demonstrates a commitment to safety in its design and construction. The Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure helps protect vehicle occupants in a frontal collision. Additional safety technologies include standard dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; standard front-side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); side-curtain airbags, active head restraints; an anti-lock braking system; a tire pressure monitoring system; and a pedestrian injury mitigation design in the front of the vehicle.

Additional Honda media information is available at Hondanews.com. Consumer information is available at automobiles.honda.com.

1 The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ is available on the CR-Z EX in the United States, except Alaska. Please see your Honda dealer for details.
2 Preliminary estimate provided by Honda. Final specification is subject to change.
3 Preliminary EPA mileage estimates determined by Honda. Final EPA mileage estimates not available at the time of printing. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/categories/1097/releases/5355