Production Honda CR-Zzzzzzz revealed (priced, 20k base, hits dealers in Aug)
09-30-09, 07:31 AM
#1
Production Honda CR-Zzzzzzz revealed (priced, 20k base, hits dealers in Aug)
Here's another instance of Honda calling a car a concept when it's actually mere inches away from production. This is the 2011 Honda CR-Z, and it is a reborn 1983-92 Civic CRX. It goes on sale in Japan in February 2010, with the U.S. following a few months after that.
Compact and sleek, this 161-inch long coupe/three-door hatch was first shown as a real concept at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show. Now two years on, the 2009 show car is "95 percent" of the real thing, according to Honda officials. The final, final production version will be unveiled at the 2010 Detroit Show in January.
We know that the 2011 CR-Z will be powered by a 1.5-liter i-VTEC inline-4 combined with Honda's IMA hybrid powertrain, tied to a 6-speed manual gearbox -- essentially the sportiest drivetrain setup the company has offered in a hybrid to date. However, we still think it's likely that Honda will broaden the appeal of the CR-Z line by offering several drivetrain options -- perhaps a price-leader base model with just the 1.5-liter gas engine and perhaps, perhaps a CR-Z Si with a slightly larger, revvier engine.
The CR-Z's busy, compact 2+2 cabin is now virtually production ready and it's believed the car's Ni-Mh battery pack lies beneath the rear floor, as per the Honda Insight, on which it's is based. Even the wheels on this "concept" look production-spec, and if the "lack" of exhaust pipes on the CR-Z gives you pause, just have a look at the tail of a production Insight -- the pipes are concealed on that car, too.
Compact and sleek, this 161-inch long coupe/three-door hatch was first shown as a real concept at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show. Now two years on, the 2009 show car is "95 percent" of the real thing, according to Honda officials. The final, final production version will be unveiled at the 2010 Detroit Show in January.
We know that the 2011 CR-Z will be powered by a 1.5-liter i-VTEC inline-4 combined with Honda's IMA hybrid powertrain, tied to a 6-speed manual gearbox -- essentially the sportiest drivetrain setup the company has offered in a hybrid to date. However, we still think it's likely that Honda will broaden the appeal of the CR-Z line by offering several drivetrain options -- perhaps a price-leader base model with just the 1.5-liter gas engine and perhaps, perhaps a CR-Z Si with a slightly larger, revvier engine.
The CR-Z's busy, compact 2+2 cabin is now virtually production ready and it's believed the car's Ni-Mh battery pack lies beneath the rear floor, as per the Honda Insight, on which it's is based. Even the wheels on this "concept" look production-spec, and if the "lack" of exhaust pipes on the CR-Z gives you pause, just have a look at the tail of a production Insight -- the pipes are concealed on that car, too.
09-30-09, 08:50 AM
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Sides and rear are ok, but the front needs some work. Also look at the front overhang! Not a fan of that high roof either.
Once again, Honda pulls a really annoying move. If this is only "95%" production-ready, what is the point of even showing this? Why not skip this "near-production" unveiling and just show the full production model?
Seems like an Insight coupe basically. Interior looks decent.
Once again, Honda pulls a really annoying move. If this is only "95%" production-ready, what is the point of even showing this? Why not skip this "near-production" unveiling and just show the full production model?
Seems like an Insight coupe basically. Interior looks decent.
09-30-09, 08:57 AM
#7
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Well they like showing "concepts" that are near production ready....
Minor things will change (lights, mirrors, wheels) but that is pretty production ready. I do like it and curious how a hybrid + manual is going to work. I would never buy one b/c hte image kills it.....case in point
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...sher-fail.html
Minor things will change (lights, mirrors, wheels) but that is pretty production ready. I do like it and curious how a hybrid + manual is going to work. I would never buy one b/c hte image kills it.....case in point
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...sher-fail.html
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09-30-09, 09:06 AM
#9
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Other automakers have shown "near-production" concepts too. That is not a problem. What bothers me in this case is the concept progression.
First, it was shown as a pure concept years ago. Now, it is being shown as a "near-production concept". Only next year will they show the REAL production car.
I guess Honda had nothing else worthy to unveil in Tokyo, so they decided to tack on some concept details to the production CR-Z and show that
.
But this "near-production" concept looks very similar to ... the original concept, which makes this unveiling quite pointless
.
First, it was shown as a pure concept years ago. Now, it is being shown as a "near-production concept". Only next year will they show the REAL production car.
I guess Honda had nothing else worthy to unveil in Tokyo, so they decided to tack on some concept details to the production CR-Z and show that
.But this "near-production" concept looks very similar to ... the original concept, which makes this unveiling quite pointless
.
09-30-09, 09:15 AM
#10
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Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
curious how a hybrid + manual is going to work.
Anyways, this combo may appease the sporty people (who like their stickshifts) though it may mean less interaction between the transmission and engine + battery pack (in terms of stuff like electronic engine management and whatnot).
Anyways, we'll see......
09-30-09, 09:17 AM
#11
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I'm curious about this as well. They did however experimented with this before in the old Insight which had a stick.
Anyways, this combo may appease the sporty people (who like their stickshifts) though it may mean less interaction between the transmission and engine + battery pack (in terms of stuff like electronic engine management and whatnot).
Anyways, we'll see......
Anyways, this combo may appease the sporty people (who like their stickshifts) though it may mean less interaction between the transmission and engine + battery pack (in terms of stuff like electronic engine management and whatnot).
Anyways, we'll see......
I am not sure if people wanted a CRX new age hybrid or just a nice cheap 2 door Fit /CRX thing. I do applaud Honda for coming fast with this vehicle as they said they would
09-30-09, 09:52 AM
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I don't know what "world's first" system we will see. Keep in mind Honda only makes mild hybrid systems, meaning they are not full hybrid systems like Toyota or Ford have. The engine in Honda hybrids never turns off.
I expect this to be pretty slow.
I expect this to be pretty slow.
09-30-09, 09:58 AM
#14
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There are a lot of questions regarding this setup.
Maybe if we have any automotive engineers here who can explain to us how a stickshift setup would bode with a hybrid powertrain layout.......
In a slightly off-topic note, I was really shocked with what I searched upon regarding CVTs.
Currently, it has infinite gears and IMHO is better than a conventional auto. However, it's timing belt can not atm handle engines that have huge torque (except maybe for JATCO units that can power a Murano with a V6 engine plus AWD). Other than that, CVTs cannot handle anything higher.
Then I was shocked when the the Lexus LS Hybrid came out into the world a few years back then. V8 engine + battery and yet still, it uses a CVT box.
Is there some sort of interaction between the CVT and the battery pack then that would allow it to work in a hybrid powertrain layout? (cause current CVT trannys CANNOT survive a V8 engine)???
Maybe if we have any automotive engineers here who can explain to us how a stickshift setup would bode with a hybrid powertrain layout.......
In a slightly off-topic note, I was really shocked with what I searched upon regarding CVTs.
Currently, it has infinite gears and IMHO is better than a conventional auto. However, it's timing belt can not atm handle engines that have huge torque (except maybe for JATCO units that can power a Murano with a V6 engine plus AWD). Other than that, CVTs cannot handle anything higher.
Then I was shocked when the the Lexus LS Hybrid came out into the world a few years back then. V8 engine + battery and yet still, it uses a CVT box.
Is there some sort of interaction between the CVT and the battery pack then that would allow it to work in a hybrid powertrain layout? (cause current CVT trannys CANNOT survive a V8 engine)???
