Tokyo Preview: Honda CR-Z Concept Looks Production-Ready To Us

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Steven J. Ewing on Wed, 09/30/2009 - 09:08
Filed Under: Manufacturers, Honda, Greenformance, Fuel Types, Tokyo Motor Show, Hybrid, Design & Auto Shows, Automakers
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The evolution of the Honda CR-Z hybrid sports car concept is taking a nice shape. We first saw the concept at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, and for 2009, Honda is bringing an almost-production-ready version to the Tokyo stage. (Honda still insists on calling it a concept when, obviously, this thing looks ready to roll out onto the streets.)

Details are slim right now, but expect to see Honda's Integrated Motor Assist technology under the hood, mated to a 1.5-liter four. And since Honda is trumpeting this as a sportier car than the Insight hatch, a six-speed manual transmission will be available. Sounds good, since the current Insight's driving dynamics are incredibly uninspiring. We're hoping the CR-Z will be more like a modern-day version of the original Insight that debuted in 1999.

Stay tuned for the full onslaught of details, but for now, scroll through our gallery above to see the Tokyo-bound CR-Z.

Comments

Trinks

Argh the waiting is what kills!

Wed, 09/30/2009 - 09:17
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guyrac

GProcket

A great early step toward truly fun, green transports. I hope Honda and other are paying attention to the Isle Of Man TT electric motorcycle race.

Wed, 09/30/2009 - 10:27
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guyrac

GProcket

A great early step toward truly fun, green transports. I hope Honda and others are paying attention to the Isle Of Man TT electric motorcycle race.

Wed, 09/30/2009 - 10:28
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Kitswheels

MOGS r'it!

Spoke too soon I see! Lets hope they keep the weight loading electro-junk out of it. Or perhaps they'll do a CR-ZS: S for stripper and people that enjoy driving per se and DO NOT like stuff getting in the way of that!

Wed, 09/30/2009 - 14:51
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terrymetcalfe

intensive driving courses

That looks awesome!

Always loved the Honda CR range.

I just hope this performs better than the new type R - since its re-vamp dropped its quality against the earlier type R

Thu, 10/01/2009 - 10:29
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chartguy

It looks great, if a bit Audi-like in the nose.

What I find hard to understand is the hybrid application here. The CR has always been known for small and light. Adding a bunch of batteries and electric motor(s) will add weight, probably a lot of it.

Now, if they'd build that design with a conventional IC driveline, ideally with a stick, it would be very popular.