Honda has already recorded 7000 orders for its all-new CR-Z sport hybrid in Japan, only 5000 shy of its projected annual target.
The Honda CR-Z, which went on sale in Japan on February 25, 2010, is a sport-oriented petrol-electric hybrid three-door hatch powered by the combination of a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine and an electric motor. Total output figures are 91kw/174Nm while combined fuel economy is 6.2L/100km.
Honda was recently criticised for the CR-Z’s poor fuel consumption figure in the press but responded by saying the car is trying to be both “sporty and fuel efficient” at the same time – two things no green car has yet managed to combine.
Further flak ensued with media quick to point out other vehicles in the CR-Z’s market sector delivered comparable fuel consumption and performance figures without using hybrid technology, and often at a better price point.
The discussions very nearly resulted in Honda’s US executives calling a halt to the model’s sale in North America.
“We had serious doubts about whether this would bring value, ” said Mr Norio Tomobe, Chief Engineer of the Honda CR-Z, while speaking to Automotive News.
Mr Tomobe also said the CR-Z hybrid may feel a little underpowered in its current form, suggesting a Honda CR-Z Type R could be in the pipeline.
Back in Japan the CR-Z is still selling like hot cakes, a catch-22 for other hybrid models in the Honda line up. Honda Insight and Honda Civic Hybrid model sales are already beginning to slow.
At this stage Honda have not confirmed a release date for the CR-Z in Australia, though we expect mid to late 2011.
Well nice try but this thought crosses my mind, My 2004 Barina SRI 1.8 has more power, more torque, im guessing much lighter and my long run fuel consumption is 6.7L/100 in mostly hard city driving. And im sure there are many other similar 5-10year old examples out there.
However i must say that this CR-Z does look cool in some angles.
i heard tuners are getting their hands on these and modifying them already
But anyone does hybrids these days, it has lost its meaning just buy a good diesel or an EV/ZE!
This is completely Girl’s car. Kinda look ugly for a men, I guess. I’d rather opt myself for Cerato KOUP
The CRZ would have sold better (and accelerate faster) if it had a Civic Type R engine in it. None of this hybrid nonsense. If it has to be a hybrid, Honda should look to Toyota to see how a sporty hybrid is done. Its called the FT-HS concept.
CRZ = all show and no go.
I don’t understand what makes it any more sportier than the other cars that use the same/less fuel… It’s in this bad half way point, not really sporty, but not really efficent either but trying desperately to be both.
Hey Honda, how about knocking back this rubbish and building a new NSX??? Come on.
The quoted 6.2l/100km figure on this article is from the US test cycle, on the EU test cycle (basically the same as the Australian one from my understanding) the car achieves 5.0l/100km. So on our cycle it should achieve a 5.0l/100km figure which is much more acceptable for a hybrid.
Although Honda only uses a very mild hybrid system compared to Toyota’s Full Hybrid therefore their hybrids will never be as efficient as a Toyota.
Honda had such a great idea when they showed off the 3 Concept cars of the CR-Z over the past couple of years.
Then when it came to production, they just stuffed it up completely!!!
I agree, Civic Type R engine mated to an Electric Motor would have been awesome!!!
Ohwell… bring on the CR-Z Type R.
Hybrid version of the FT86 would be nice.