The Honda CR-Z Concept you see here is very, very near to production. In fact, the production car probably already exists somewhere in Honda R&D, since it’s supposed to go into production in February 2010. That’s just a few months away. Honda has been talking about this car for a few years now, and a design concept study was already shown at the motorshow back in 2007.
Since then it has evolved and the result is this concept, with even a proper close-to-production interior. I don’t particularly like its gaping mouthed looks (another manufacturer to go Audi-ized?) but things start to get better towards the rear. I hope they don’t settle on this front end for its next generation of cars – that would ruin the next generation Civic.
Under the hood is a 1.5 litre version of Honda’s IMA system (currently available as a 1.3 litre in the Civic Hybrid and Insight), so we don’t really have any power output numbers yet. What’s interesting is that it will be paired to a 6-speed manual transmission. I can’t recall any other hybrid car with a manual. The motor assist will probably kick in according to road incline, etc as well as a data feed from the throttle position sensor.
Look after the jump for live photos and live videos of the CR-Z.
at 7:17 pm
Just wondering, why Honda does'nt offer a conventional NA engine version? Perhaps, the 2 liter 220bhp Type R engine? The world is just not ready yet for a hybrid sportscar…
at 7:19 pm
Ahaha .. that why their tagline is "the power of dreams"
at 7:25 pm
If they do that… it would be the Civic Type R hatchback with different styling, haha.
at 7:57 pm
hmm.. im wondering, can u even see anything thru the rear window? it looks so high
at 8:11 pm
err…. 1.5L with two assist motor like BMW? or 1.5L with only 1 motor and it's slower than the 1.8L Prius?! Please make it at least 0-100 in 8 sec… and hope i can run on the motor alone…
but still… 2 seats…arrrrrrrr…
at 8:13 pm
gorgeous!
at 8:13 pm
and please bring it to malaysia and not sell it more expensive than Civic Type R… to encourage ppl go fast and green…
at 9:18 pm
i see autobots……..
at 9:59 pm
this is cool,perhaps Honda is encouraging youngsters to have green sportscar.
i was hoping something like Tesla.
green,yet fast.
anyhow,this is really a good model.a predecessor of CRX.
at 10:18 pm
lolz,hope they can sell it abt 140k.but dream on!!this kind of car will be priced maybe like Golf GTi.and do u really think honda msia will bring ths in??something tells me it's not gna be here.then we cn only ask for help from the gray importers!!hahaha!!
at 11:30 pm
The Toyota Prius is already selling for RM177k, I dun think this car is going to be cheap looking at it's market segment. I agree with Ariff that it would probably be priced like the Golf GTi, probably in the sub 200k region.
at 12:05 am
Hope they bring in Malaysia in the first place. This car will go well with the gov tax structure for now.
at 12:34 am
hope the final production version looks like the concept (with the sport rims and all!)
i would reckon priced somewhere near golf gti and scirocco…low 200s
at 3:15 am
Another FWD car….
at 4:28 am
The dashboard is nice..but the gear knob design is yucksss
at 6:04 am
if priced same as golf gti most would choose the gti for many reasons. unless 2.0L hybrid
at 6:25 am
should hv 1.8 or 2.0 petrol engine .
who want to replace battery at RM80000.
and if doest hv petrol engine than the toyota ft86 will be better choice(for me).
.
at 5:06 pm
The front looks more like Peugeot than Audi.
at 11:56 pm
A bit fat. But WHo cares. At least it got big 'em mouths.
at 12:13 am
I like the Gen2-esque rear of the design. In fact that's how they should design it when they facelifted the gen-2.
The drivers cockpit still a bit unrealistic, most likely they will redesign it again, and I still find the front 'mouth' a bit ugly. It looks like an unhappy catfish if you take another look.
at 1:50 am
This car is so conservative looking and to think that the car is based on the Honda Insight with a slightly bigger engine, it just turns me into a cold turkey.
On the other hand, Toyota's FT-86 has a 2litre boxer engine from Subaru with a RWD package. Now that is something worthwhile. Even the price on the looks is more worth it.