- 2011 Honda CR-Z will go on sale on August 24 in the U.S.
- The hybrid is expected to start below $20,000.
- No Si version is planned.
TORRANCE, California — Honda has released more details about its 2011 CR-Z, saying it will go on sale on August 24 in the U.S. with pricing tentatively set to start at under $20,000. The Japanese automaker also confirmed that it has no plans for an Si variant or an electric version of the CR-Z — and that there will be no federal tax credit on the sporty hybrid coupe.
When asked about whether the CR-Z will qualify for an alt-fuel federal tax credit, in an e-mailed query on Thursday, Honda spokesman Chuck Schifsky replied: "No. The limit per car company is 60,000 hybrids, and we passed that long ago."
In a press conference earlier this month, Honda confirmed that there will not be a CR-Z Si at launch this summer. "Nothing official," said John Mendel," Honda's U.S. executive vice president of sales, when asked whether a future Si variant is in the works.
When asked about plans to offer an electric version of the CR-Z and whether EVs will "flop in the U.S.," Mendel replied: "I don't think that there's [sic] plans to make this vehicle a pure electric. I wouldn't say that we believe that the pure EV or BEV [battery-electric vehicle] will flop in the U.S. It depends upon the application. If you talk about longer charging times and limited range, it speaks to a different usage than a 150-miles-per-day commuter would require."
Although formal pricing on the CR-Z has yet to be announced, Honda executives said that pricing will start at under $20,000, including destination, and will top out at under $24,000 for a fully equipped CR-Z EX with a navigation system. Honda said that the decision to equip the CR-Z with a nickel-metal hydride battery, instead of the more up-to-date lithium-ion battery, helped hold down the cost of the vehicle.
The CR-Z will be available in three trim levels: CR-Z, CR-Z EX and CR-Z EX Navi. The EX version adds a seven-speaker premium audio system, foglights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, LED footlights and alloy pedals. The CR-Z EX Navi adds a navigation system to the aforementioned features.
All models will be available in five exterior colors, including red. All are equipped with a silver mesh cloth interior. Options include body-side molding, XM Radio and 17-inch alloy wheels. Option prices have not yet been announced.
Honda said it is aiming the sporty hybrid coupe at a "younger, cost-conscious buyer" ranging in age from 25-35 with an annual household income of $40,000-$60,000.
The CR-Z is equipped with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor with a combined output of 122 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque. The engine is linked to either a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT. Fuel economy for the six-speed manual version of the CR-Z is estimated at 31 mpg in the city and 37 mpg highway, said Honda. The CVT version is expected to return 35 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway.
Inside Line says: You've got to wonder if the lack of a federal tax credit will force some consumers to put the brakes on a CR-Z purchase. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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k55 says:
12:02 PM, 12/04/2010
Honda - you need an SI version.......take out the batteries, throw in a 1.6 DOHC,direct injected,V V T with about 150-160 hp , LSD, 17 in wheels, sport seats and spoilers would nake me pursue ...Just as is not sporty enough nor economical enough. An SI version minus batteries would still be inexpensive and still get well over 30mpg.
corvetteguy1 says:
03:58 PM, 11/18/2010
The cr-z is a great car, we purchased CRZ -EX in September and the car is great fun. We also own a corvette and for a fun factor its just as much fun to drive.Dont go for the navi it changes the dash look and you lose nice cabin features the radio makes the dash and for 1800,00 more its just not a good add-on. This car cruises well on the highway at 75 in econ and is very quiet inside. . You either like its looks or you dont but at least its not another boring car that looks like all the others..We purchased our c5 corvette new in 97 and people bashed that car and that car turned out to be a very strong purchase. But I guess the bashers of the crz are still playing video games and working at fast food restaurants. All we can say is what a fun little car it is.
bhigashi says:
11:11 PM, 06/19/2010
I'm not sure what has happened to Honda of late but looking at the Honda CR-Z (I can't believe the major overhang on the front) and the fact that an Si variant isn't in the future, Honda has lost their way and doesn't know what the consumers want.
Also, the new 2011 Odyssey design is hidious. It looks like there were two groups of designers, one working on the front half of the van and another group working on the back half and when they put it together, it didn't quite line up. It looks as though the van got rear-ended and it crumpled just behind the sliders. What were the designers thinking? Heck, what was Honda's management thinking when they approved this design?
I have been a loyal Honda customer since 1986 -- my first car was a 1986 Honda CRX. I subsequently bought a 1988 Acura Integra LS-Special, 1993 Honda Accord, 1996 Honda Civic, 1998 Acura CL, 2001 Honda CRV, 2003 Honda Odyssey, 2004 Acura TSX, 2005 Honda Pilot, 2006 Acura RSX Type-S, and a 2009 Honda Ridgeline RTL. Why? Because they are/were great cars/trucks. They had good performance while maintaining good fuel economy. They had great ergonomics while having many features all the while keeping the designs conservative enough to keep them looking good even after 5 years...
But today's Hondas are just plain ugly and Honda has lots their roots when it comes to performance and ergonomics.
Please Honda, bring back light (good power to weight ratio) vehicles, with good ergonomics, and conservative designs. Bring back the CRX, Prelude, Integra, S2000, and NSX. Kill the Crossover, re-do the Odyssey (because I know you can make a better van then Toyota Sienna, and for God sake hide those slider tracks under the window like most minvan companies do). Continue to build the Ridgeline but listen to the truck owners who wants a real 4WD option and more HP/Torque. It needs the turbo diesel or a more powerful yet efficient V6. Re-do the entire Acura line. They are good performers but they have gotten to be so ugly.
Before you put out any more ugly/passionless vehicles, ask yourself would Soichiro Honda approve? Or just call me and ask for my opinion... I'm your biggest fan and critic...
Please restore my confidence and desire to acquire another Honda. I was hoping for a CRX and some type of all-weather wagon (TSX wagon was a good idea but you missed the point again. Buyers of sports wagon (i.e. Audi/BMW wagons) want AWD and decent power. FWD sport wagon with a weak 4 is a slap in the face).
turbolaser91 says:
09:57 PM, 06/19/2010
look honda has always done things a little well... weird. in my head this car was and is a dumb idea. honda could have givin us something to work with at least like k20/24 anything with v-tech and the tuners would be going nuts. but this??? did they forget about the insight and how terrible that thig was why the repeat?
billymay says:
03:53 PM, 06/19/2010
Slightly off topic, but I'm amazed that Honda designates a doomed-to-obsolescence navigation system-equipped car as a top of the line trim level.
How much does a navigation app cost for an iPhone? Can someone please just integrate all the stuff we already have?
bearsdkills says:
02:39 PM, 06/19/2010
This thing is hideous, disgusting, horendous, vomit-inducing... you pick. I cannot believe Honda is doing this to all their cars, destroying the CRx name, this ugly heavy thing is not what Honda needs. They should have made it a light weight, fwd hatchback like the orignionl was no some heavy ass hybrid. Because the last thing honda needs now is another ugly, alternative fuel vehicle.
charlesb says:
10:21 AM, 06/19/2010
If they could magically take seven hundred pounds of mass off this thing and throw the JDM jumpseat back in it would be a cool little car. As is, I don't really see the point.
calspecial68 says:
11:23 PM, 06/18/2010
It's official. With news of no Si variant on this model, Honda has left the fun car arena. It was their last hope and they failed. They're stuck on the sidelines with Toyota now, which sucks. Maybe in a few years, eh Honda?? Just maybe.
gts09 says:
08:51 PM, 06/18/2010
only way this is justified is if its slated below the fit. other than that all i can say for honda is Prior planning prevents piss poor SALES. good luck though. id much rather buy a used s2000 and spend 3k on mods and another 2 k in my pocket for gas than to spend it on a two seater mobile turd. and to think at one point i was excited about this.
mrgold78 says:
11:29 AM, 06/18/2010
This will be an Epic Failure. It's not good at performance or economy and loses out to the competition. What's the point of this car? Not to mention it is ugly. Come on Honda! You use to be a performance oriented car manufacturer that made segment leading cars. What happened!