The Honda CR-Z is a sport compact hybrid electric vehicle manufactured by Honda and marketed as a "sport hybrid coupe." It combines a gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain with features typical of a sports car, including a standard six-speed manual transmission and a 2+2 seating layout (except in North America, where it was offered only as a two-seater).
The CR-Z was seen as a spiritual successor to the second-generation Honda CR-X, sharing similarities in name and exterior design.
In the United States, the CR-Z was classified as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle by the California Air Resources Board. It was the third Honda hybrid available with a manual transmission, following the Insight and Civic Hybrid, and the only one in its class to offer this option.
The CR-Z used the sixth generation of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) technology, first introduced with the original Insight. Sales began in Japan in February 2010, followed by the United States in August 2010. Production of the CR-Z ended at the end of 2016, to make room for the Accord Hybrid and Clarity.
History The design and production of the CR-Z followed two other Honda hybrid concept cars: the Honda Remix, introduced at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show, and the Honda Small Hybrid Sports, introduced at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show.
The Honda CR-Z was introduced as a concept vehicle on October 23, 2007, at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. Honda said the name "CR-Z" stood for "Compact Renaissance Zero" — reflecting the idea of a renaissance in the design of compact cars. At the show, CEO Fukui stated that a production model is "in the works" and that the car was intended to be "sporty, incredibly efficient and inexpensive". The "CR-Z" name was previously used as a grade level in 1985 and 1986 as the Honda Ballade CR-Z, which was sold alongside the original Ballade Sports CR-X in Japan.
The CR-Z was first shown in America at the 2008 Detroit North American International Auto Show. Honda Future Models+Concepts, At the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, Honda displayed a revised "CR-Z Concept 2009". The 2009 concept of the CR-Z had a very similar design to the production model. In January 2010, Honda introduced the production CR-Z at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. At its introduction in 2010, it won the Car of the Year Japan Award.
Refresh In 2016, the Honda CR-Z received a minor refresh. It received a change to the front and rear bumper, as well as a slightly revised interior. It also gained the EX-L trim from the refresh with a small increase in price. The base trim was renamed as LX and priced starting at $20,295 with a manual transmission, and $20,945 with a continuously variable transmission or CVT. The EX trim increased to $22,140 with a manual transmission, and $22,790 with a CVT. The new EX-L trim started at $24,440 with a manual transmission, and $25,090 with a CVT. The refresh changed a few colors as well. The North Shore Blue Pearl color changed to the Aegean Blue Metallic color, the Crystal Black Pearl color changed to the Jet Black color, and Premium White Pearl changed to Ivory Pearl. On the EX trim, the secondary interior red color changed to orange. The CR-Z also gained a few new wheel designs for the refresh. Honda had previously confirmed that a second generation of the CR-Z was under development, possibly for the 2018 model year, which never came to fruition.
Safety CR-Z models has received an average rating for side crash safety, an excellent (5 out of 5 stars) rating for rollover, and a 4 out of 5 star rating for frontal crash safety for 2012 and newer models. The 2011 model has an average frontal crash safety rating (3 out of 5 stars). Dual front airbags, side airbags and head-protecting side curtains are standard equipment. Antilock brakes (ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD).
Development The project leader, Norio Tomobe, worked previously as chief engineer on Honda's Mobilio Spike and Elysion.
The basic concept of the CR-Z was to create a fun-to-drive sports car with driving characteristics of a Honda. Chief chassis engineer Terukazu Torikai explained in a video that during the development process “this car was brought to Europe at each prototype stage to be tested under various road conditions to evaluate whether the desired performance had been achieved.”
Powertrain
The CR-Z is powered by a i-VTEC SOHC 16-valve straight-four engine, designated LEA, with Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid-electric system. A six-speed manual transmission is standard equipment and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is available. The system delivers a combined peak output of at 6000 rpm and at 1000 to 1500 rpm ( on CVT-equipped models). The gasoline engine contributes at 6000 rpm and at 4800 rpm for the CVT version; the electric motor produces at 1,500 rpm and at 1,000 rpm
On November 21, 2012, Honda released the 2013 CR-Z to the United States market, which other than minor cosmetic changes, included a more powerful electric motor (up from ), and a new, higher voltage (144V), 0.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The 2013 CR-Z delivers a combined peak output of at 6,000 rpm and of torque ( on CVT-equipped models), a gain of and of torque ( on CVT equipped models).
A new Plus Sport System was now standard. If the battery is more than 30 percent charged and the CR-Z is traveling over , the driver can press the "S+" button on the steering wheel to deliver increased acceleration for up to five seconds. Manual-transmission versions also receive both a larger clutch and a new lower final drive ratio. EPA-rated fuel economy figures increased by 1 mpg city for CVT equipped models, and 1 mpg highway for those with the six-speed manual transmission.
An early road test of a Japanese-market CR-Z resulted in in 10.5 seconds and the quarter mile in 17.6 seconds. Inside Line performed the test in 8.8 seconds, and Motor Trend, in 8.3 seconds.
Fuel economy Japanese fuel economy ratings are for CVT and for MT in 10•15 mode; and for CVT and for MT in JC08 mode.
The 2011 CR-Z U.S. EPA ratings are for city and for highway with manual transmission. The model with CVT transmission has a rating of for city driving cycle and for highway. Beyond U.S. EPA estimates, among drivers reporting real-world fuel economy the CR-Z averages nearly 39 mpg overall.
When comparing fuel economy to the CR-Z's older cousin, according to fueleconomy.gov, the 1988 gasoline-powered Honda CR-X HF had an EPA rating of city driving, and highway driving. The CR-Z is ranked number four on 2011 EPA top ten list of fuel efficient vehicles for CVT equipped model and number ten for manual-transmission-equipped model.
Price and sales
Japan Sales of the CR-Z began in Japan on August 24, 2010 at a starting price of million (~) before any government subsidies. Honda announced that in less than one month it had received orders for more than 10,000 vehicles, far exceeding its sales forecast.
As of the end of August 2010, more than 19,000 CR-Z were delivered and sales orders received are three times higher than expected, which led to Japanese media comparing its success with the NSX in the 1990s, another sports car from Honda. In an interview in early February 2011, a Honda executive disclosed that Honda produces around 200,000 hybrids a year in Japan.
North America Sales in North America started on February 26, 2010. The 2011 CR-Z was offered in three trim levels: base, EX, and EX with Navigation. The base CR-Z started at , the CR-Z EX at and the EX with navigation trim was priced at . The CR-Z pricing was similar to the now discontinued Honda Insight and had a lower price than the market leader Toyota Prius.
After its launch in late August 2010, there were 3,349 Honda CR-Z sold as of end of October 2010. It ranked as the fourth most sold hybrid in the U.S. for September and October of that year. U.S. sales for year 2010 reached 5,249 units, and ranked 11th in hybrid sales for that year. For year 2011 cumulative sales of the CR-Z in the U.S. reached 9,635 units through August, ranking number four in hybrid sales in 2011 and outsold only by the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Honda Insight, and Toyota Prius.
In addition to commercials airing during sporting events, Honda held a marketing competition available to universities throughout the United States. This competition allowed students to create public relations and social media campaigns for the vehicle. A team from Syracuse University won first place in the competition, followed by runners-up New England School of Communications and University of La Verne.
Europe The CR-Z was launched in the European market in mid-2010 after having been revealed at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show and was retired in 2014.
South Africa Sales in South Africa were scheduled to begin on the 30 August 2010.
Malaysia The CR-Z was launched for the Malaysian market on November 3, 2011, which made it the first in Southeast Asia to offer the three-door hybrid. Within a month, Honda received over 300 orders, over three times its target. The introduction of the CR-Z was a result of the 2012 Malaysian Budget that extended the full import duty and excise duty exemption to imported hybrid vehicles and electric cars to 31 December 2013. The 6-speed manual model was offered first, with plans to bring in the CVT version in 2012; in addition to white, three more colors will be offered by early 2012.http://paultan.org/2011/12/12/honda-cr-z-well-received-three-new-colours-available/ Honda CR-Z well received, three new colours available
Australia Honda announced that it would begin importing the CR-Z in mid-2011 after showing the car at the 2011 Australian International Motor Show in June but the launch was delayed by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
The CR-Z was finally launched in December 2011 with a base price of A$34,990 plus on-road costs in two grades: Sport and Luxury. Grades were identical except that Sport was only available with manual transmission while Luxury was only available with CVT automatic transmission and the addition of satellite navigation and glass roof.
In January 2015 Honda announced that it would cease selling the CR-Z in Australia citing rationalization of its hybrid model lineup but the CR-Z did not sell strongly in the Australian market with only 69 reported sales in 2014.
New Zealand It was launched in New Zealand in December 2011.http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/motoring/road-tests/6436536/Honda-hybrid-unlike-any-other-before-it Honda hybrid unlike any other before it
Indonesia Introduced in Indonesia International Motor Show 2012 in September 2012, the CR-Z was launched in February 2013. Honda CR-Z was the third hybrid car released in Indonesia after Toyota Prius and Toyota Camry Hybrid. Both the 6-speed manual or CVT automatic transmissions were available.
Philippines Honda Cars Philippines Inc. introduced the CR-Z hybrid coupe to the Philippine market in August 2013. The CR-Z was offered in three variants; a standard trim, Modulo, and Mugen.
Pakistan Honda Atlas Cars (Pakistan) Limited introduced the CR-Z hybrid coupe to the Pakistani market in December 2013 with a price tag of Rs.3,269,000 for the manual transmission and Rs. 3,419,000 for the Automatic. An additional Rs. 80,000 was charged for the Pearl/Metallic Colors only.
Sri Lanka
Honda CRZ was launched in Sri Lanka the same time it was launched in Japan.
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