Honda CR-Z Coupe – Hot Hybrid Hatch

Honda are taking over the Motor Show at Tokyo, with their stand showing no less than 16 cars, including the debut of the Honda CR-Z coupe.

This sporty motor was first revealed back in 2007 in concept form, and the neat little CR-Z (which stands for Compact Renaissance Zero), has had a few minor amendments made to it and it now features a hybrid powertrain.

The car’s wedge-shaped lines are very attractive and if you are a fan of Honda Coupes, you will recognise the styling similarities between the CR-Z and the CR-X models of the 1980s and 1990s. The fenders are festooned with blue LEDs which are trademark for all Honda Hybrids, and the integrated exhaust is most likely to be extremely highly priced.

The high-tech interior has modern new touches too, and elements of Honda’s current Insight are visibly evident and the cockpit is rumoured to accommodate a 2+2 seating arrangement.

Honda will most likely base the hot hybrid hatch’s drivetrain on that of the Insight. It’s said that the CR-Z will use Honda’s IMA hybrid system with a 1.5-litre engine, and its transmission will be a six-speed manual gearbox.  This is an unusual choice as most hybrids use CVT or automatic, which smoothes the flow of power as petrol engine and electric motor interact.

The CR-Z is now 95% production ready and said to go on sale in Japan as soon as February of 2010 and in British showrooms next summer.

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