2011 Honda CR-Z hybrid coupe revealed at NAIAS

By Tim Beissmann | January 12th, 2010

Honda has unveiled the production version of its CR-Z hybrid coupe at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

And despite there being no official plans for a local launch yet, Honda Australia’s Mark Higgins this morning confirmed the CR-Z is on Honda’s wishlist.

The design of the two-seater – while unique with its “one motion” wedge shape, low-slung bonnet and broad forward stance – comes as no surprise after two earlier concept versions and numerous leaked images in the lead up to today’s debut.

Honda America executive vice president of sales, John Mendel, said the CR-Z would create its own niche in the market.

“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.

“It’s the first hybrid designed to maximise style and fun, in addition to efficiency and economy,” he said.

Honda has confirmed that the car will go on sale in late summer in the US (July/August) this year powered by a 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine and the sixth generation of Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist hybrid-electric system – which first appeared on the Insight in 2000.

The i-VTEC system controls the opening and closing of one intake valve per cylinder to enhance combustion at low revs.

The 10kW 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 petrol engine can automatically turn off during vehicle stops to improve efficiency

Combined peak output from the six-speed manual CR-Z is 91kW at 6000rpm and 174Nm (167Nm with the CVT) of torque from as low as 1000rpm.

Preliminary fuel economy estimates have the CVT at 6.5 litres/100km in city driving and 6.2 on the highway, while the manual should come close to 7.6 litres/100km in the city and 6.4 on the highway.

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, activated via three backlit buttons to the left of the steering wheel.

Sport mode enhances engine throttle responsiveness, electric power steering and electric motor power assist and illuminates the inner ring of the tachometer bright red.

Econ mode gives priority to fuel efficiency with the electric motor stepping in to a greater degree and the air conditioning system reducing its load on the engine. Predictably the tacho glows green in Econ mode.

Normal mode simply defaults all the steering, engine, motor and air con settings with the tacho transitioning between blue and green.

The CR-Z comes standard with stability control, ABS and EBD and front/side/curtain airbags.

Available in two trim levels, the entry level CR-Z gets CD/USB audio system with six speakers, automatic climate control, power windows and cruise control.

The top spec CR-Z EX adds High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights with auto on/off, premium sound system with a subwoofer, Bluetooth and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Specific pricing and on-sale details will be revealed closer to the CR-Z’s mid-year US launch.

Gavin

Certainly looks the part, and that dash is super driver focused.

But, I wonder how the drive will be? Will the drive be as focused and engaging as the interior? Are any performance numbers (0-100) available?
riceboy

90 something kW combined??? i’ll be able to overtake this thing on my bicycle!!!

Hayzel

Can you overrun a hyundai getz with a bicycle? Don’t be stupid, I know you said it as a joke but it’s just stupid.

Valet Dabess

wow, looks like it has heaps of space in the boot. the dash layout sucks. the digital screen should be in the middle!

brent

I understand how roomy this boot will be but what they’ve had to do to the rear to achieve that isn’t worth the headache it’s giving me. Looks terrible to these eyes.

I’d like to think a good designer could’ve achieved much of the space with a more pleasing shape.

ethan

ummm… that fuel consumption is a little average for a hybrid…. my civic vtil 1.8L manual does 6.9L/100km combined…

Philthy

Agreed, very ordinary for a hybrid and about the same as either a 118TSI golf or a camry hybrid, both of which are larger and much more powerful.

What was the point of making this a hybrid?

Engineer

Well, only time will tell.

Honda really like to dream though… they really like to do things differently by the looks of it.

I cant wait until the Honda FXC Clarity is available, and do away with batteries and messy combustion engines.
Kds

Woeful fuel economy and only two seats. What’s the point?!
It’s not a sportscar and it’s a terrible hybrid! Honda has lost it lately!!
Paul

The American version from what I have read up, will only have 2 seats. However the concept in Japan had 2 seats in the back. So people are saying the Japanese and European models (which Australia will most likely end up getting) will come in a 2+2 arangement.

but I agree, how the hell can they make a 1.5L Engine with a Battery to aid it, so bad for fuel economy?

From what I have read up, it doesnt actually weigh that much, and it has a small petrol motor that will be assisted by the Electric motor, and they still could only get 6 – 7L per 100km???

Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper D have similar or more power and can get much further on a tank…
Paul

and what is the point of it? its not going to be a good sports car, and its not going to be a good hybrid? so what the hell is the point Honda?

Just bring back the S2000/NSX/Integra.

How the hell this car made it through Honda to actually be made seems very odd. Didnt they stop and think for a moment, that if its going to be a sports car it needs to have more then 90KW of power. Or did someone stop and think, if we want it to be a Hybrid, it needs to get much better fuel economy?

It just seems like its not going to be good at anything its been designed to do… wtf Honda?

mark

and a proper crx! this thing is 23kw down on the ’92 model i had. shame i was lookin for to this car but now will wait for the toyota ft86 to come out.

Paul

and look at the side profile pic above!!! THAT IS MASSIVE FRONT OVERHANG!!! there is no way this car is going to have that good a handeling, let alone scraping the bottom of the nose on things with a slight incline.

I was genuinly excited about this car, and Honda have just destroyed what could have been a really good sports car.

Whats your next car Honda?
Andronicus

I was really looking forward to this and Honda need something like this to keep their lineup interesting….but….dang…. what is with its butt?
I like the shape overall but the rear of that thing is ugly. Also, it really should have a bit more bang considering it is supposed to be a sports coupe hybrid.

Wish they would offer it in non hybrid form, something a lot quicker…

Missed opportunity I think.
Shak

HOW? How could Honda have gotten it so wrong. It doesnt have enough oomph to be a good sports car, and doesnt have good enough fuel economy to be a good hybrid. WTF have Honda done. They were on such a good thing with the concept, and then this? This will fail.
Yianni

Those fuel consumption figures are shocking. What are Honda doing?

They’re asking people to pay a premium for a premium hybrid product that consumes the same amount of fuel as a cheaper petrol car?

I guess it shows how good the VW Twin Charged engines really are.
RoFlmaTiC

Well a 10kw electric engine was only ever going to make a marginal difference at best…

Doesn’t 1.5L iVTEC engine in NA form produce 88kw or something? The extra 3kw would barely offset the extra weight of the batteries etc :-\
Paul

well if total power output is at 90KW and the battery is supplying 10KW of overall power, then the petrol engine is on around the 80KW mark….

so for such a tiny engine, and for a car that doesnt weigh that much, how the hell are those fuel consumption figures made?

a VW Golf GTI, which has ALOT more power then the CRZ, is pumping out around the 7.5L mark, which is similar to this…

And knowing Honda Australia, they are going to charge an absolute premium for it (think the Civic Hatch), because its a ‘Sports car’ and a ‘Hybrid’. Nether of which, it is actually good at.

Such a wasted opertunity Honda.
Baddass

Looks the goods, but I wish they made either a dedicated petrol or dedicated electric. Since I like my cars to respond when I drive them, I’d take the petrol. One word that sums up this car (and a lot of other hybrids):compromise.
riceboy

they can keep this and the UK built 5 door civic which they’re charging almost 40K for! that fuel economy figure is hopeless, why bother with hybrid at all in this car…

Honda make some great cars, but damn they overcharge for some of their poverty pack shopping trolley on wheels.
jay

Just be glad they’re making 2 door “coupes” again… along with the Toyobaru if they actually make it and sell it here.

However, the power & torque figures and matching fuel consumption look a little disappointing. I wonder if it runs on regular instead of 95/98? If so it’d be very cheap to run. Great for young car buyers. Or cheapskates/people with too many bills/mortgages etc.
http://www.greencollareconomy.com Casey Verdant

Detroit has a chance to show the nation and the world that they’re listening to the cries for greater fuel efficiency! The Ford Focus, the Toyota FT-CH, and the Honda CR-Z hybrid are all great eco-friendly cars of the sort Americans are now demanding: let’s hope for more like them as the Auto Show continues.

If you are interested in hybrids, fuel cells, or any other green technologies, check out http://www.greencollareconomy.com. It has hundreds of case studies on emerging green tech and the largest b2b green directory on the web.
risse

I have a 1985 Honda VTI Civic Hatch still, she has never miss a beat and I never found a suitable potential replacement till now. I look forward to the CR-Z here in Sydney.