- The Honda CR-Z iCF, a collaboration between Honda U.K. and Mugen Euro, will go on sale in the spring, but not in the U.S., the automaker confirmed on Tuesday.
- The move is an about-face from this summer when Honda and Mugen said they had no plans to build even a limited-edition CR-Z Mugen.
- The high-performance hybrid is expected to be priced at the U.S. equivalent of $37,450.
LONDON — The Honda CR-Z iCF, a collaboration between Honda U.K. and Mugen Euro, will go on sale in the spring, but not in the U.S., the automaker confirmed on Tuesday.
"We have no plans to sell this car in the U.S.," wrote Chuck Schifsky, an American Honda Motor Co. spokesman, in response to an e-mailed query from Inside Line.
The decision to go ahead with a production version of the one-off CR-Z Mugen is an about-face from this summer when Honda and Mugen said they had no plans to build even a limited-edition model.
Honda U.K. said in a statement that production development on the CR-Z iCF continues at Mugen Euro, with cars available to test-drive at the eight Honda U.K. Mugen dealers in the spring. The high-performance hybrid is expected to be priced at the U.S. equivalent of $37,450.
The CR-Z iCF's 1.5-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder engine and Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system is expected to deliver 173 horsepower — almost 50 percent more power than the standard version. However, Honda U.K. said that the power figure and price "have yet to be confirmed and are subject to change."
Honda U.K. said that the CR-Z iCF sprints from zero to 62 mph in 6.1 seconds — more than 3 seconds faster than the standard CR-Z.
The "pocket-rocket hybrid marks the strengthening of the engineering partnership between Honda (U.K.) and Mugen Euro following the limited-edition Civic Type R Mugen in 2010," said Honda U.K. in a statement.
The one-off CR-Z Mugen — the precursor of the CR-Z iCF — was unveiled this summer at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The original version sported Brilliant Orange Metallic paint with carbon-fiber doors and hood.
Inside Line says: Honda has said the point of this exercise is to prove that hybrids can be exciting to drive. But U.S. consumers are shut out of the fun on this one.
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hondas2000_03 says:
11:59 AM, 11/30/2011
Has anyone ever heard of BISIMOTO? This guy just turbocharged a CR-Z and made close to 600 horsepower while still retaining the Hybrid part of this car. I would buy the base model for $20,000 and dump the other $15,000 - $20,000 and have the same car, but far superior. Honda pisses me off sometimes!
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/04/sema-2010-bisimoto-honda-cr-z-is-a-533-horsepower-madhouse/
hondas2000_03 says:
09:56 AM, 11/30/2011
How does Honda expect to sell any of these? I don't think they realize that the people who would buy this car can not afford it or the ones who can wouldn't fit because they are now over weight and in their 40's. Honda needs to make a more marketable vehicle similar to this one that is affordable to the proper market of men 20-35 years of age. C'mon Honda what ever happened to keeping it simple?
k55 says:
09:52 AM, 11/30/2011
seems like Honda could offer a much cheaper CRZ Si with say a DOHC 1.6 to 1.8 and ditch the batteries for about 22- 24k. The batteries add quite a bit of weight and expense. Wouldnt be surprised if an Si version was just about as economical too.
1919diesel says:
07:02 AM, 11/30/2011
At that price and performance they should be able to sell at least 2 or 3 a month in the UK.... if they break 100 sales next year I'd be surprised.
rayzor says:
03:45 PM, 11/29/2011
What's the point?! Fun, hybrid, too expensive! Way better cars out there for the $$$ and more accomodating than this 2 seater. I am glad that they are not bringing it to US. It will just be another embarrassment for Honda USA...Go back to the drawing board, Honda, please. You were once an engineering power house, you can do it again before it is too late...
ed124c says:
03:30 PM, 11/29/2011
Honda... inept, Kemosabe.
stupidlefty71 says:
02:41 PM, 11/29/2011
For $37K there are way better options to be had. Can't see even looking at any Honda in the price range. Waste of time and effort.
coolb944 says:
02:33 PM, 11/29/2011
American Honda needs to grow a pair and start offering US customers the same exciting product options European and JDM customers get. Somehow we in the US don't deserve this kind of stuff?!
zackd44 says:
01:47 PM, 11/29/2011
I dont want it anyway. It is a pointless vehicle. Drop a S/C k20z3 in there and then sell it here.
duck87 says:
01:38 PM, 11/29/2011
FYI, that price is about the same cost as a Civic Type-R... which isn't cheap, but can this be considered a first for a "production" hybrid-supercharged engine (depends on who screwed on that super)?
Regardless, this is how the CR-Z should have come as in the US. 0-62 in 6.1 seconds is faster than a Civic Si (or the Euro Type-R for that matter)! It would have been considered a high tech sporty car in the same vein as the Mini S and 500 Abarth. Instead it's been panned to no end and was one of the reasons why Honda is being shunned by enthusiasts.