Canadian Driver; Preview: 2011 Honda CR-Z

Hybrid vehicles are about to get a lot sexier. What was first revealed at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show as a sporty two-door hatchback show vehicle called the “CR-Z Concept 2009” was confirmed by Honda as the basis for a new production model that will become available in the U.S. and Canada in late summer of 2010.

The production model of the 2011 Honda CR-Z two-seat sport hybrid coupe, which had its global debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Monday, features a standard six-speed manual transmission and optional CVT.

Entering the Honda product line-up as a complement to the current Civic Hybrid and Insight hybrid, the CR-Z will be the only gasoline/electric hybrid model offered by any current automaker that can be equipped with a manual transmission, in this case a six-speed unit. Interestingly, Honda was the first auto manufacturer to sell a production hybrid in North America (beating the Toyota Prius to showrooms by mere months), doing so with the first-generation Insight – a two-seat, two-door hatchback, itself initially equipped only with a manual transmission (a CVT became available shortly afterwards).

While other global markets are slated to get a four-seat version of this new car, Honda says that all U.S. and Canadian CR-Zs will be two-seaters, making this model (quite deliberately, I’m sure) the spiritual successor to not only the first Insight, but the original CRX hatchbacks, sold here in two generations for model years 1984 through 1991.

Those earlier CRXs were essentially shortened, two-seat versions of then-current Civics, fitted with a sloping fastback-style hatch; the second generation CRX’s distinctive horizontally-split tailgate glass design is clearly echoed by that in the CR-Z Concept and production CR-Z.

There is some fuel-sipping heritage here too, as certain CRX models were intended as economy champs, rather than performance vehicles.

The production CR-Z is powered by Honda’s 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine with Honda’s compact and lightweight Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid-electric system. The powertrain delivers a combined peak output of 122 horsepower at 6,000 r.p.m. and 128 ft-lb. of torque at 1,000 to 1,500 r.p.m. (123 ft-lb. on CVT-equipped models). The car’s 10-kilowatt electric motor assists in acceleration and also acts as a generator during braking or coasting to capture kinetic energy that recharges the 100-volt IMA nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The gasoline engine can automatically turn off during vehicle stops.

Preliminary fuel economy estimates are 6.5 L/100 km city and 6.2 L/100 km highway on CVT-equipped models. Manual transmission models are anticipated to achieve 7.6 L/100 km city and 6.4 L/100 km highway.

The CR-Z will be one of the cleanest vehicles on the road: it’s rated as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) as defined by the California Air Resource Board (CARB) ZEV standards (EPA Tier 2, Bin 2 in all states).

A new three-mode drive system that allows the driver to select between Sport, Econ (Economy) and Normal driving modes will offer varying levels of performance and fuel economy. The system is activated via three backlit buttons to the left of the steering wheel.

The Sport mode enhances performance including the throttle responsiveness, electric power steering effort and electric motor power assist. The inner ring of the tachometer illuminates red when the vehicle is in Sport mode.

In Econ mode, the engine’s responsiveness is tuned for optimal fuel economy. The electric motor assist gives priority to fuel efficiency and the air conditioning system can reduce its overall load on the engine. The inner ring of the tachometer transitions between blue and green when the vehicle is in Econ mode, with the green representing more ecological driving.

Normal mode provides standard settings for steering, engine response, motor assist and air conditioning. Similar to Econ mode, the tachometer ring transitions between blue and green when the vehicle is in Normal mode, with the green representing more ecological driving. Like the Honda Insight, the CR-Z offers an Eco Guide and Eco scoring feature to help drivers track progress of efficient driving styles.

Honda engineered the standard six-speed manual transmission for optimal acceleration performance in gears one through five and optimal fuel economy in sixth gear. As well, when starting on steep inclines from a stop, hill start assist temporarily prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards during the moment between releasing the brake, depressing the throttle and releasing the clutch (for a duration of approximately 1.5 seconds).

The available CVT keeps the engine within an optimal r.p.m. range for overall efficiency. To increase the performance potential of the CVT, paddle shifters located on the steering wheel allow the driver to manually simulate gear changes. In Sport mode, the paddle shifters will hold and maintain a selected ratio.

The CR-Z’s suspension consists of front MacPherson struts and rear H-shaped torsion beam suspension tuned to provide a sporty, dynamic driving experience. Its low vehicle height and placement of the battery and other hybrid components beneath the rear cargo area give it a low centre of gravity, which contributes to the CR-Z’s sporty handling. All models are equipped with 16×6-inch aluminum wheels with 195/55R16 tires. Optional 17×7 alloy wheels with 205/45R17 tires are also available. The CR-Z’s standard anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake distribution (EBD) uses ventilated front discs and solid rear discs.

For crash safety, CR-Zs include Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure that helps protect vehicle occupants in a frontal collision. Additional safety technologies include standard dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; standard front-side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); side-curtain airbags, active head restraints; an anti-lock braking system; a tire pressure monitoring system; and a pedestrian injury mitigation design in the front of the vehicle.

The CR-Z is expected to go on sale in Canada in late summer, but prices have not yet been announced.

Source;
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2010/01/12/preview-2011-honda-cr-z.htm?page=all