Photo: Honda
Besides VTEC technology, Honda's other trademark is fuel efficiency. Ever since the 80s oil crisis, Americans have been buying small cars like the Civic because they are more efficient. The company has also been in the hybrid business for nearly as long as Toyota, but some of their models have failed to get the same notoriety as the Prius. One such example is the CR-Z, a small coupe-like hybrid that has already been withdrawn from most major markets.
While previous reports indicated production of the CR-Z would stop completely some time in 2015, sources close to Honda have announced a new car is on its way and will debut two years from now.
According to Motoring, the next CR-Z will not be based on the Jazz, but on the larger Civic compact. The next-gen platform will no-doubt be lighter and stiffer, helping handling and efficiency. But about 100mm will have to be cut from the wheelbase to give it that MINI-like look.
Instead of just hybrid tech, the CR-Z could become a standalone model, sort of like the Scirocco from Japan. A de-tuned version of the Civic Type R's 2-liter turbo engine will be offered alongside a green powertrain that combines 1.5-liter gasoline engine, an electric motor and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
But even this version will have about 200 horsepower, which to us sounds like a PHEV with pure electric driving modes. One thing is clear, if Honda manages to get all its ducks in a row, we could have a fantastic little pocket rocket on the way.
The current generation CR-Z was launched in 2010 and is a 2+2 coupe (excluding North American models where the backseat is removed). This successor to the CR-X only has about 110 horsepower to boast with and limited trunk space is another shortcoming. Retailing at $20,000, it's also quite expensive to buy and its maximum 39 mpg economy number is nowhere near that of a Prius.
According to Motoring, the next CR-Z will not be based on the Jazz, but on the larger Civic compact. The next-gen platform will no-doubt be lighter and stiffer, helping handling and efficiency. But about 100mm will have to be cut from the wheelbase to give it that MINI-like look.
Instead of just hybrid tech, the CR-Z could become a standalone model, sort of like the Scirocco from Japan. A de-tuned version of the Civic Type R's 2-liter turbo engine will be offered alongside a green powertrain that combines 1.5-liter gasoline engine, an electric motor and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
But even this version will have about 200 horsepower, which to us sounds like a PHEV with pure electric driving modes. One thing is clear, if Honda manages to get all its ducks in a row, we could have a fantastic little pocket rocket on the way.
The current generation CR-Z was launched in 2010 and is a 2+2 coupe (excluding North American models where the backseat is removed). This successor to the CR-X only has about 110 horsepower to boast with and limited trunk space is another shortcoming. Retailing at $20,000, it's also quite expensive to buy and its maximum 39 mpg economy number is nowhere near that of a Prius.
Google News