Honda comes up with something very tempting- its first fun hybrid car!!! The Insight, Prius, Camry, and Fusion are all very practical hybrids, but the all-new 2011 Honda CR-Z made us want to drive fast and wild. So if you are looking for something sleek and interesting yet with a style, discover CR-Z right away.
First lets eye the base highlights:
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 3-door hatchback
ENGINE TYPE: SOHC 16-valve inline-4, 113 hp, 107 lb-ft; brushless DC electric motor assist, 13-hp, 58-lb-ft; combined power rating, 122 hp, 128 lb-ft
TRANSMISSIONS: 6-speed manual, continuously variable automatic with manumatic shifting
DIMENSIONS: Wheelbase: 95.9 in Length: 160.6 in
Width: 68.5 in Height: 54.9 in
Curb weight (mfr’s est): 2600–2700 lb
FUEL ECONOMY (MFR’S EST): EPA city/highway driving: 31–35/37–39 mpg
ESTIMATED BASE PRICE: $20,000
The CR-Z comes special for the U.S. 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. What say? The CR-Z’s hatchback design means it offers decent cargo space in back; removing the rear seats adds an oddly shaped cargo area straight away behind the front seats, the two spaces divided by the former rear seat back rest.
Now talking interiors, Honda has fitted a Bluetooth phone system and iPod connector into the cabin to round out the electronics. The audio system consisted of six speakers, a subwoofer, and a 360-watt amp. We didn’t get a lot of time to listen to the stereo, but what we heard came through with good clarity. Up until now, no hybrid has used a manual transmission but this one has. This transmission makes the intent of the CR-Z clear. Though, Honda but representatives said they expect about 25 percent of CR-Z purchasers to opt for the manual transmission.
The power train consists of a 1.5-liter four-cylinder i-VTEC engine mated to Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system, producing a combined 122 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque. With the CVT, shave 5 pound-feet off that torque number. Those numbers don’t sound like much, but the electric motor makes a lot of torque available immediately for a satisfying launch.
The instrument cluster, included a green up arrow indicating when we should shift. Designed to optimize fuel economy, it wanted us to change gears early and often, putting the car in sixth at 40 mph. Honda estimates its EPA numbers for the CR-Z at 31 mpg city and 37 mpg highway for the manual transmission version. The CVT gets it up to 35 mpg city and 39 mpg highway. So there is a reason for taking the CVT version.
Also, switching the car into its Eco drive mode results in a slight slow down as the throttle response retuned. It also makes a ring in the tachometer change from blue to green, a visual indicator of the drive mode.
The CR-Z will be promoted as “fun and clean,” said Steve Center, Honda’s U.S. marketing chief, in an interview in Santa Rosa last week. “People expect ‘green’ from Honda. Right now we’ve got a bit of a fun deficit because we don’t have the S2000,” roadster discontinued last year, Center said.
Note: The 2011 Honda CR-Z goes on sale this fall.
Tags: bluetooth phone, dc electric motor, engine type sohc, honda, honda cr-z, honda crz, honda crz hybrid, hp 58, hybrid car