Honda is set to provide its CR-Z with an all-new, turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine option as part of plans to broaden the compact coupé’s appeal in key world markets, including the UK.
Currently available with just the one engine option — a hybrid that mates a 112bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 14bhp electric motor — the CR-Z is earmarked to receive an all-new turbocharged 1.6-litre powerplant that is currently undergoing development at Honda’s Tochigi R&D centre.
The new engine, which is also planned for the Jazz, Civic and Accord, forms an integral part of a downsizing program instigated at Honda. With forced induction and Honda’s patented VTEC-i fully variable camshaft timing system, it is aimed at providing the performance of a typical 2.0-litre engine from a capacity of just 1.6 litres.
Autocar sources in Japan say the new engine is likely to come in two guises: a standard 160bhp model and a highly tuned 200bhp version aimed at matching the now defunct 2.0-litre VTEC engine in the Civic Type R. This more potent spec is likely to form the basis of a CR-Z Type R, tentatively due out late next year.
Plans for more than a hybrid engine for the Japanese Car of the Year come as sales of the two-door coupé have started to sag in the firm’s all-important home market.
Honda first hinted that it was planning to add another petrol engine when it unveiled the CR-Z Hybrid R concept at the recent SEMA tuning show in Las Vegas. Unlike the proposed production version, though, that car ran a turbocharged version of the CR-Z’s existing 1.5-litre engine rather than the new 1.6.
im lookin 4ward 2 it.. i mean if honda have 2 replace that awesome 2.0L K20 ivtec motor, they have 2 come wit somethin no less than spectacular 2 take over that legendary engine..
the thing is bout the crz is, it is actually a spiritual successor 2 the crx.. remember that?? it was originally designed by honda 2 be an economical sports hatchback.. so 2 carry on the tradition, honda made the crz into a hybrid, so in order 2 stay true of its heritage, it has 2 be a sporty lookin fun 2 drive yet economical hatchback..
2011 Honda CR-Z hybrid scores too low for Consumer Reports to Recommend
We know what you're thinking: Hondas typically do well in Consumer Reports testing. And since Consumer Reports emphasizes good fuel economy, a hybrid should score highly in our tests, right? Not so much.
The two-seat CR-Z is derived from the Insight, a five-passenger hybrid hatchback that also scored too low to be recommended. To be sure, there are improvements in the CR-Z: the interior isn't so glaringly cheap, and handling is much more nimble than the Insight. The CR-Z's manual transmission is crisp and easy to shift and 35 mpg is nothing to sneeze at.
But compared to a long list of drawbacks, that good news isn't enough to recommend the car.
Handling is short on steering feel, a recent (and unwelcome) Honda trait. Even for a small sports coupe, the ride is stiff and noise levels are high. The stability control intervenes too late when it's needed, so the CR-Z's tail can swing out mid-corner. Lousy rear and over-the-shoulder visibility made changing lanes "like Russian Roulette," according to one tester's logbook comment. A diminutive 400-lb. payload capacity somewhat negates the large cargo hold and speaks to a real limitation in a country where 200-lb. adults are commonplace.
Even the details rankle: The car shuts off when stopped to save fuel -- but unlike most other hybrids, the air conditioner shuts off too, making it a drag on a hot day. The exterior door handles are awkward to grab, and you basically lunge in and out of the low-slung car.
So just because it's a Honda doesn't mean it's a good car. Even if the CR-Z turns out to be reliable, it scores too low for us to recommend it.
Dec 7 2010, 11:31 AM, updated 15y ago
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