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According to a report, it seems Honda is in the midst of doing something bold to help resurrect its ailing CR-Z, which seems to be doing, to put it mildly, not too well in terms of domestic sales – the company, it seems, is planning to go the forced induction route with the coupe.
Autocar says that Japanese sources have intimated that the car is likely to be given a shot in the arm in the form of a 1.6 litre turbocharged pot, in two output forms, 160 hp and 200 hp. Right now, it’s only available as a hybrid, in a 1.5 litre petrol engine and 14 hp electric motor combination, which of course doesn’t sound very sexy, even if it’s doing its bit to save the planet.
Now, the vehicle you see above isn’t the claimed car, but is actually the TS-1X that made its debut at the recent Tokyo Auto Salon over the weekend. It’s a test study model based on the CR-Z, developed by Honda Access Corporation, a subsidiary specialising in genuine Honda aftermarket parts and accessories.
The front’s been reworked, with plenty of extensions elsewhere, and the car’s been slapped with a healthy dollop of matte black paint. Sure, it’s a test bed study, but mayhaps also provides some intimations of what is to be? You never know.
Supposedly, it’s speculated that the souped-up CR-Z might come about as a production-ready model by the time the Tokyo Motor Show arrives towards the end of this year. Oh well, if it saves the day, then it can’t be such a bad move. Strike one on the car’s first attempt, as well as against the go green brigade …
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One word: K20A
K20A has been phrased out due to stricter emissions settings from EU and Japan. Turbocharging is the way to go ever since it getting much more attention in Europe. Cleaner as well as better FC while retaining performance.
The new 1.6 turbocharged engine can be used for its Civics Type R in WTCC/BTCC touring car races too.
But it can easily be de-tuned to meet emission regulations.
Even if it made ‘only’ 190BHP, it would still be a huge amount of power for a small coupe.
Better still, we know it can be done because somebody already has :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAqGYP2AXjQ&feature=player_embedded
Turbo engines are nice, but nothing beats the experience of a high-revving NA engine.
Turbo engines are nice, but nothing beats the experience of a high-revving NA engine.
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High revving nice for track day/races…but for real world, unless u owned an oil refinery….a turbocharged will definately better for fuel consumption without much loss in performance
To Honda, don’t worry on Japan domestic sales. Those higher Yen and high interest rates at Japan affected those Japanese into buying new cars actually + the public transport so good. The solution are, bring those CKD machine and transport it here in Malaysia, well specifically the Pegoh, Melaka DRB-HICOM Honda plant here. Sure many people in Malaysia, Thaiand and teh rest of Asia willing to buy this Honda at any price. Ironically, the Proton Satria NEO was bought into Japan by CUSCO while Honda just ship those CRZ to Malaysia. make it as soon as possible since hybrid tax incentive still on here.
huhuuuu nice car…i like…
Say goodbye to NA powered Hondas. Force induction is the future!
Honda Malaysia Please bring in this Baby monster!!! CR-Z… We all waiting For U…
city5505 : dont worry, Honda Malaysia is bring in this car by Q3, be prepare
But I just contacted Honda through their Hotline 1800-88-2020 and they say they will not having any CR-Z here in Malaysia because it’s not under HM. Confuse and disappointed.
Any other enlighten news guys?
But, I just contacted HM’s Hotline 1800-88-2020, and they say HM will not having CR-Z in their production because it’s under Honda. Confusing and disappointing news.
Any other enlighten news guys?
160PS and 200PS to fight with Volks?
Turbocharged engines seems the theme of the day, nowadays and perhaps the future (except for Superbike engines of course). You can only long for the era of the screaming Japanese hatches/coupes, from the days gone by (especially in the 90s, when Toyota, Honda, Nissan & Mitsubishi, all have their own version of 1.6L screamer engine).
Back to the CR-Z, its obvious from day one that the CR-Z is quite a looker but equipped with a hapless & utterly boring powerplant. Honda just need to fit in a turbocharged engine, and perhaps just put aside the hybrid system :)
it been a while since honda design a beast and beauty and together. Beast in power and beauty in the eye of car fans. This CRZ does bring all of the element out !! We loves it very much.
Ugly and still an ugly car. No wonder you need that extra boost to build up your ever fading image. Worst car, and i don’t know why ppl can call it a baby. Grow up and look at M3 or AMG
even a Kia forte looks better than this man….
uhhh sexy honda
im i right if i assume that honda actually dont have a production ready turbo charged engine ??
dats very odd from honda….
They do. Small 660cc turbo engines for the subcompact cars in Japan, and a big 2.3 liter turbo in the Acura RDX in the USA.
September 1982 a turbocharged version of the 1231 cc Honda ER engine was introduced in the 1gen Honda City (the one that comes with Motocompo)
wth….why the extended nose???!!!!!!!!! and wth is that extended thingy at the back….they made it look like a speedboat….reminds me of the speedboat in this failed street fighter movie with van damme in it….ZOMFG!!!!!!! disaster! the original design is already sexy enough…the only hawt stuff to come out from honda in recent years….cmonlah the new civic is already a downer, and here the only sexy beast from honda get this kind of nose job…tho its a study i expected they could come up with something sexier than the original…japanese designers really ran out of ideas meh? =,(
thumbs up on the engine plan…no complains there…. =)
Just plonk in a good turbodiesel ala VW Golf TDI…..got both performance & be green at the same time ; )
‘resurrect its ailing CR-Z’ ?
Dude, the original CRX came out with a 1.3, fuel economy versions, then the Si / SiRs came out later. See a pattern emerging?