In summing up his presentation introducing Canadian journalists to the Honda CR-Z, Jerry Chenkin, Executive Vice-President of Honda Canada exclaimed: “Honda spirit is back.” That spirit is born out of three pillars that underpin all Honda development: Environment, Technology and Motorsport.

Speaking of the CR-Z, Jerry Chenkin, Executive Vice-President of Honda Canada exclaimed: “Honda spirit is back.” (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com)
Creating excitement
Many autocross participants and compact-car enthusiasts maintain a fondness for Honda’s now-defunct CRX sports coupe. It was viewed as a frugal, fun, highly track-competent performer. Many rued the day its production was curtailed.
For them and for a whole new set of buyers, Honda will repeat the past but they will do so with benefits derived from the latest in automotive design and technology, including hybrid power. The soon to be released CR-Z is a two-door, two-seat, compact coupe that draws heavily upon roots reaching back to the CRX.
Like the CRX, the CR-Z is a sporty, front-wheel drive vehicle that exhibits a distinctive appearance featuring a glass hatch and plenty of cargo room. The CR-Z embodies a low centre of gravity and a low seating position. This combination is preferential for handling purposes, but it also enables a low-slung, flat roofline, which enhances aerodynamics, ensuring that the vehicle slips through the wind with minimal resistance.
The reduced drag also benefits the CR-Z’s fuel economy which, thanks to its hybrid powerplant, is indeed impressive.
Hybrid-powered sport coupe
“Sport coupe” and the word “hybrid” are not generally used in the same sentence, until now that is. The CR-Z is powered by Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA), “mild” hybrid technology. The combined output is rated at 122 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 128 pound-feet of torque.
Power flows through a 6-speed manual gearbox—the first ever in a hybrid vehicle—or a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) for those preferring no stick work.
In addition to adding grunt to the 1.5-litre i-VTEC inline 4-cylinder engine, the hybrid arrangement assures good fuel economy from Honda’s little runabout coupe. The CR-Z has been rated at 6.5 L/100 km and 5.3 L/100 km city and highway driving respectively, when equipped with the 6-speed manual box.

“Sport coupe” and the word “hybrid” are not generally used in the same sentence, until now that is. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com)