2011 Honda CR Z Hybrid

2011 Honda CR Z Hybrid

2011 Honda CR Z Hybrid

This past January, 2011 Honda CR Z Hybrid CEO Takeo Fukui
revealed that a production hybrid based on the CR-Z Concept shown in
Tokyo last year is going to be a reality. It currently looks as if the
CR-Z will first be released in Europe, with a guesstimated US release
date of sometime in 2011.

The original CR-X was a lightweight, and
small, hatchback that managed to be a fun car, with a small efficient
engine. The CR-Z coupe should also be small, fun and efficient, with
the addition of Honda’s updated Integrated Motor Assist hybrid, to push
the fuel efficiency to the next level.

2011 Honda CR Z Hybrid

2011 honda cr z hybrid coupe

The design team for the
2011 Honda CRZ Hybrid is based in Europe, where the majority of sales
are expected. The CR-Z Hybrid is expected to be an anchor for Honda’s
European line. Specifically, Honda’s UK branch is handling design,
while engineering and testing are taking place at Offenbach in Germany.

The
hybrid system in the CR-Z will be the same one used in the Fit Hybrid,
to be released the end of 2009. That includes nickel based batteries,
and a lack of plug-in adaptability.

2011 Honda CR Z Hybrid

The CR-Z itself is a replacement for the popular CRX which was pulled
off the market recently. The concept car for the CR-Z has a similar
profile to the CRX, as well as a glass rear. The new design also
includes an oversized grill, aggressive wedge shape, and centrally
mounted dual exhausts. The LED headlights are a nice touch, as are the
electric side mirrors.

For the interior, Honda tried to combine
modern high-tech with classic sporty design. The result includes an
interesting mesh material on all fabric surfaces, and a lot of LED
displays. The whole effect is both futuristic and funky. Unfortunately,
I have to wonder if all the fun inside will be a distraction from the
road.

2011 Honda CR Z Hybrid

In European countries for diesel engine editions is obtainable in 2
options: the R 2. and the U-II 1.7, which will be offered by November
2010. The R 2. will come in a choice of two outputs: high (184ps/40kg.m)
and low (136ps/32kg.m) producing CO2 emissions of just 165g/km (2WD
MT) and 158g/km (4WD MT), respectively. The U-II may have a rated
output of 115ps with 26.0kg.m and will have class-leading CO2 emissions
of just 149 g/km (2WD MT) when equipped with ISG. To achieve Euro-5
emission compliance, the R is fitted with a close-coupled diesel
particulate filter and highly efficient exhaust gas recirculation with
by-pass valve. Six-speed manuals are standard with both diesels while
the R will feature the option of a six-speed automatic. Hyundai’s
all-new six-speed automatic transaxle assists the company meet its
goals of improving fuel efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions. Shifts
are silky-smooth with an option of sporty-type, manual shifting through
the Shiftronic which is also new to the Hyundai ix35.

In
addition to the new fuel-efficient engines and transmissions, the 2011
ix35 Hyundai features other innovations which contribute to lower
operational costs. Nestled between the speedometer and tachometer, the
“ECO” coach is a new feature designed to promote fuel-saving driving
habits. In the manual transmission version, an icon on the LCD
trip-ometer screen begins to flash when the optimum gear shift point is
reached. The automatic uses an “ECO” icon backlit by LEDs with either
the red, white or green LED lighting up in accordance with driving
behavior. Fuel savings in the range of 15 to 17 percent are attainable
with the automatic “ECO” coach and 7 to 9 percent with the manual.

2011 Honda CR Z Hybrid