Honda CR-Z (Civic Renaissance Zero)

[dj_buddah]

thought that was hybrid concept?

[aki]

Hybrid concept was separate.

The CR-Z convertible has been axed, dunno what that means for the regular coupe version.

In general Honda is cutting its R&D (canceling/putting off the next S2000, RWD 7-series competitor, V8 engine, next NSX) so who knows where the CR-Z is at.

[pks17]

Its going to be a sad attempt at making a hybrid sporty.
Im betting it will have a 1.3-1.5L engine with a hurting hyrbrid motor similer to the prius.
But dont expect anything special here.

[av911]

Originally Posted by aki

In general Honda is cutting its R&D (canceling/putting off the next S2000, RWD 7-series competitor, V8 engine, next NSX) so who knows where the CR-Z is at.

I know that did not come from Honda. So, don't put so much confidence on those rumors.

[fa5pride]

well the last crx had a d16a6 112 hp lol so this is just a swap machine just like all the other hatches. im sure they will come out with the cr-z and when they do i will be buying it lol

[c130turboprop]

Originally Posted by av911

I know that did not come from Honda. So, don't put so much confidence on those rumors.

i dont know about that. i've been hearing a lot about honda putting off on performance cars. the new nsx was definatly cut from what i read in the newspaper and they are now deciding on stopping s2000 production for the next gen...

[habitat]

Originally Posted by av911

I know that did not come from Honda. So, don't put so much confidence on those rumors.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but these are not just mere rumors. Autocar.co.uk is quite reputable when it comes to automotive news. And considering the current economic climate... it is very believable that Honda is trying to cut cars that will not sell during this downturn (weekend cars such as the s2000) and to concentrate on their cash cows, Civic, Accord, and maybe Fit?


Autocar - Honda axes sports and luxury models

[hiwind]

i would buy that car in a heart beat if it was released! damn you HONDA!

[Vsin]

2011 Honda CRZ - Auto News - Motor Trend

Honda's CRZ hybrid coupe remains on track as a 2011 model, on sale in late 2010. Honda wants sports-car enthusiasts to buy it not because it's green, but because it's fun. The carmaker considered doing a non-hybrid version of the CRZ, but it desperately wants to be seen as a hybrid supplier on par with Toyota and believes it needs a range of dedicated hybrid-only models to achieve that.

2011 Honda CRZ Side View
CLICK TO VIEW GALLERY

So the CRZ gets a lively 140-horse, 1.8-liter Civic-derived engine. The IMA system -- motor, battery, electronics -- will be like the Insight's, as will the platform, to save cost. A senior engineer says, "It must be fun to drive, must remind you of the original CRX." And a manual gearbox will be offered. "CVT is fine for the market, mostly. But we are Honda! We must have a manual!"

As a two-seater, the CRZ's smaller body mass versus the Insight should make up for the weight of the bigger engine, brakes, and tires. So a 2800-pound total, with lots of electric-assist torque and a revvy gasoline engine, should make it the real deal as a pocket performance coupe.

Honda has trimmed back its sports cars. President Takeo Fukui said the company has canceled the Acura NSX replacement, though engineers say it may simply be deferred. And the rear-drive Acura range has been canceled. Honda is out of Formula 1. So the CRZ must be to Honda in the 2010s what the CRX was to Honda in the 1980s.

The other leg of Honda's small-car hybrid tripod, the Fit hybrid, also is going ahead for a '10 release. To give the Insight a lower overall height than the Fit, for reduced aero drag at highway speeds, the fuel tank was moved from under the front seats in the Fit to under the rear seats in the Insight. Speeds in the EPA test aren't high enough to make aerodynamics a factor, so the Fit hybrid may match the Insight's fuel economy label, and offer more space and versatility, for less money. It will interesting to see how the marketing guys handle that one.

[liquidr1]

Search is your friend. theres already 20 threads on this.

[GoHuskies]

Yet those threads don't offer near confirmed truths that the CRZ will be offered with a stick and not just the CVT.

[GeezerSi]

This does seem to be an updated article with some new info.

[Monsterbishi]

Any concrete info, like specs and not just corporate drivel?
-Freud

[iCeMaN57]

Looks like yet another slow rice bowl. I would love to see something in the same league of STI's and EVO's but I don't see that happening.

[GoHuskies]

Originally Posted by Monsterbishi

Any concrete info, like specs and not just corporate drivel?
-Freud

From the article and assuming Honda wants to save costs and not design a whole new car from the ground up:

R18 motor + IMA motor from the civic hybrid/Insight-II.

Assuming you just bolted those together thats roughly 150-160hp and 180-200 lb-ft torque. I assume Honda will at least tinker with that setup for higher gains.

Plus they still appear to be shooting for the under 3000 lb. target weight.

[NitrousG35]

I like it. It is sportier than the Insight and should perform better as well. The looks do kind of remind me of an updated CRX.

[GoHuskies]

Originally Posted by iCeMaN57

Looks like yet another slow rice bowl. I would love to see something in the same league of STI's and EVO's but I don't see that happening.

Such hate before we even know anything.

Look at it this way:

The Euro City/Jazz 1.3L engine car gets 0-60 in 16 seconds. The same engine in our heavier civic hybrid gets 0-60 in under 13 seconds. Thats a 3 second difference just from the IMA motor.

Now add that IMA motor to the regular civic, shave off a couple hundred pounds and you have a pretty well performing car IMO.

**I don't know anything of course. Just going off the news we know thus far + facts about current Honda tech**

[hugeevilrobot]

A good looking, manual, economical resurrection of the CRX with the torque of an electric motor? Sounds good to me. Assuming they get the suspension tuning right and can keep the weight down (a big, big if) it sounds like it would be a great replacement for my Si.

[[Dee]]

It looks pretty nice.

[life_begins@6K]

I like it alot. It's a nice looking car with potential.

I love the quote from the senior engineer...

"CVT is fine for the market, mostly. But we are Honda! We must have a manual!"