TOKYO — Honda is set to unveil the Honda CR-Z sports hybrid coupe next month at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show, as the small, fun-to-drive machine moves one step closer to production.
Compact and sleek, the 161-inch coupe, which has been two years in the making, is now reportedly "95 percent" representative of the final production product which is set to be unveiled at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show in January.
We have now learned that this 2010 CR-Z will be powered by a 1.5-liter i-VTEC + IMA hybrid powertrain, tied to a six-speed manual shifter, the first time Honda's offered such a sporty combo in the hybrid class. There's no word yet on power.
So it'll be a lot sharper than the 1.3-liter Honda Insight on which it's based and with a shorter 96-inch wheelbase and sportier suspension, the CR-Z will do its best to live up to the sublime handling of the classic 1983-'92 CRX.
The CR-Z's busy, compact 2+2 cabin is now virtually production-ready and it's believed the car's NiMH battery pack lies beneath the rear floor, same as in the Insight. The first market to get the CR-Z will be Japan in February 2010, with the U.S. set to follow soon after.
Inside Line says: The Tokyo show is expected to be smaller this year than in the past, but the Honda CR-Z concept proves that it won't be any less interesting. — Peter Nunn, Correspondent
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yardman24 says:
01:28 PM, 10/09/2009
Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sell hybrid versions and k20 versions. This should be the new civic
efinils2 says:
06:08 AM, 10/05/2009
Awesome; make it Type-R and it would make me believe in Honda again.
lexis says:
09:48 PM, 10/01/2009
Great looking car! I hope that this hybrid manages to be fuel efficient while also providing excellent performance.