TOKYO — The all-new Honda CR-Z hybrid went on sale Friday in Japan, priced from $25,000. Meanwhile, the Euro-spec edition will be unveiled early next week at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show.
The Japan domestic and Europe-market versions of the car have a 2+2 seating configuration, while the North American CR-Z, which was introduced in January at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, is a two-seater. The car goes on sale this summer in Europe and North America.
Honda said the home-market version of the CR-Z with continuously variable transmission will average 59 mpg on Japan's 10-15 mode cycle. The car also will be offered with a six-speed manual gearbox.
Honda wants to sell up to 50,000 CR-Zs a year in global markets. It said it has already received 4,500 pre-sale orders in Japan.
The high-end version of the car will retail for $28,100 in Japan.
Inside Line says: Imagine trying to squeeze your lap dogs into that tiny rear seat in Japan. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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k55 says:
09:49 AM, 06/09/2010
The key words are priced from 25,500 'IN JAPAN'. That does not mean $25,500 in the USA.
In the USA this will be priced from about 20k or so. Think about it. It is based off the Insight chassis with a 1.5 from the Fit (plus batteries) vs. the existing Insight 1.3 liter (plus batteries). It is a small 2 seater which offers a 6spd manual (yes, as well as CVT). How many will gravitate towards a small , average MPG, manual transmission , 2 seater.?? Realize many wont just due to what has been mentioned above. A high price but will limit the marketability even more if priced too high. This is a new concept ( small sports hybrid). Honda wants this to be successful . I am surprised how some readers simply knee jerk react before the car is introduced and dont fully read or comprehend. Think for yourself.....and place your bets ladies and gentlemen.
TPAWRX says:
08:43 PM, 03/02/2010
I saw the dark silver US prototype that was at Detroit Auto Show and it looks much better in person. Honda isn't expecting to bring such extras as leather seats that you can get on the JPN spec car.
TPAWRX says:
08:39 PM, 03/02/2010
I like the car, I just hope it lives up to all the hype (handling performance) honda has created about it. The car is supposed to be slotted between the Insight and the Civic in the hybrid line but so I'd expect it starting out at $22,000 going up to $26,000.
debbaranko says:
11:13 PM, 02/28/2010
First $25 large for this? You have Got to be kidding! I think $15k should be the price point. Second, I looked at every angle of this car and could not find a decent good looking veiw. Is Honda looking to corner the "Uglyfied" Kia market? Third, I guess if you have a Scion or a Nissan , or Aztek, in the garage, this will fit right in.
alex38 says:
06:06 PM, 02/28/2010
Honda, wtf are you guys doing? Completely messed up here imo and I was a HUGE fan of the original CRX. The extierior is a complete disaster with that front overhand and the interior is completely overdone and a mess. I think the civic coupe is the ONLY vehicle that looks decent currently in Honda's lineup..
As wild as it sounds, I would take the newer Hyundai's over Honda's and Toyota's. Japanese companies seem to have lost their competitive edge. (yes i do realize that many Hyundai's are styled in Hyundai's California design studio and Peter Schreyer - the former head at Audi - designs for Kia but it seems like Hyundai/Kia are making a compelling case for themselves..)
kingisback350 says:
03:45 PM, 02/28/2010
It looks like the old inisght but with more edge. Not impressed at all. It trys to make a hybrid out of something it's not... A sports coupe
jm1212 says:
12:53 PM, 02/28/2010
you could get a nicely equipped Golf TDI, either 2 or 4-door with the DSG transmission and get better fuel economy and performance for about the same money.
fefan says:
07:32 AM, 02/28/2010
The 38 MPG rating for this small, low-power two-seater hybrid is inadequate. I would not buy it.
carl0ver says:
07:51 PM, 02/27/2010
this thing needs a k20 already. give it a k20 and put it in the hands of Tsuchiya and lets see how it does!
deadviper says:
11:54 AM, 02/27/2010
25k? Likely to be more like 29-30k after the predat-...er...'dealers' get done with you?
So honda didn't learn anyhting from the civic si debacle I see. 300hp would make it worth a look, but honestly no honda hot hatch should be approach 30k unless it makes power and has an acura badge on it.