CR-Z
Driven: 2015 Honda CR-Z HPD Supercharged
When the CR-Z launched in 2010, Honda proposed that the car could trace its lineage back to the beloved CR-X, a diminutive 1980s era hatch that befitted from simple design and very light weight – under one ton in some configurations – which equated to spirited performance and nimble handling combined with excellent fuel economy and a low price tag.
Update: Honda CR-Z Gets a Shot in the Arm with HPD Supercharger
When the Honda CR-Z was first announced, it generated more excitement than your typical hybrid. Its form recalled the simple, light and sporty form of the Honda CRX, and it promised the seemingly impossible combination of offering both performance and fuel economy. It was intriguing. Unfortunately, when the CR-Z landed it only made 130 horsepower and its fuel economy ratings fell well short of other hybrids, and its resemblance to the 80s hot hatch icon only ended beyond the sheetmetal. But Honda Performance Development looks to be remedying at least one of those issues with a factory-backed supercharger kit which is now available for 2013 and 2014 models equipped with the six-speed manual transmission, which offers a potent horsepower increase of more than 50 percent over a stock CR-Z.
Quick Drive: 2012 Honda CR-Z
The CR-Z is kind of an odd little car. It’s vaguely reminiscent of the CR-X from which it borrows its form. It employs a hybrid powertrain, but passes itself off as moderately sporty, too. It offers a six-speed manual transmission—which we’ve tried in the past and enjoyed thoroughly—but our recent tester was fitted with the more efficient continuously variable transmission (CVT). As such, its 1.5-liter gasoline engine and electric motor put out a combined 122 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque.
Blog: Honda CR-Z—The Second, Purpose-Built Greenformance Car Arrives
The Honda CR-Z arrives at dealers this week, which seemed a fitting time to give another perspective on this interesting car. Having driven the CR-Z in and around San Francisco, we opted this time to try it in the Midwest on the flatter and more pockmarked roads between Chicago and central Wisconsin (the American Le Mans series was visiting Road America, so we chose that as a suitable destination).
Hot Hybrid: Fortune Motorsports Tuned Honda CR-Z
Tuning house Fortune Motorsports has announced plans to work its magic on Honda’s new greenformance darling, the sports hybrid CR-Z. The final, hotted-up version of the car will be shown to the public at the 2010 SEMA show in Las Vegas (natch).
Detroit 2010: 2011 Honda CR-Z, In Living Color
We’re stoked about the Honda CR-Z hybrid. You can (and probably should), read about what could be the first affordable and good-to-drive hybrid, right here. We’ve also got some live-from-Cobo shots of the CR-Z in the attached gallery. Check ‘em out.
First Look: 2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid
Honda has pulled the sheet off of the production version of its CR-Z hybrid coupe, and we can’t help liking what we see.
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