Honda CR-Z

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At least the back seat mystery is solved.
There is none. At least in the US. Just some lame arrangement behind the 2 front seats.
Just weird…
A 2 seater will make insurance more expensive. You can tell they could fit 2 small folding seats back there.

Here is the official word:

“The two trim levels include the well-equipped CR-Z and the feature-rich CR-Z EX. A six-speed manual transmission is standard equipment and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is available. Standard features on the CR-Z include Vehicle Stability Assist, an AM/FM/CD/USB audio system with six speakers, automatic climate control, power windows and door locks, remote entry, cruise control, and more. The CR-Z EX adds, High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Headlights with Auto-On/Off, fog lights, a 360-Watt AM/FM/CD premium audio system with seven speakers including subwoofer, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®, perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel, center console with an armrest and storage compartment, and more. The CR-Z EX is available with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System[1] with voice recognition.

The system delivers a combined peak output of 122 horsepower[2] at 6,000 rpm and 128 lb-ft. of torque2 at 1,000 to 1,500 rpm (123 lb-ft on CVT-equipped models). Preliminary fuel economy estimates are anticipated to result in a rating of 36 city/38 highway miles per gallon[3] on CVT-equipped models. Manual transmission models are anticipated to achieve an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 31 city/37 highway miles per gallon3. The CR-Z is rated as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) in states that adhere to California Air Resource Board (CARB) ZEV standards (EPA Tier 2, Bin 2 in all states).

The standard six-speed manual transmission is engineered for optimal acceleration performance in gears one through five and for optimal fuel economy in sixth gear. 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 provides the convenience of an automatic transmission with a seamless transition between minimum and maximum ratios, while also keeping the engine within an optimal RPM 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 the stepped holding pattern. In Sport mode, the paddle shifters will hold and maintain a selected ratio.

Conversation 14 comments

  1. That is odd, where the rear seats should have been.

    Also..not a big fan of this fold-flat seats/hatch area( our vehicle has the same idea.. and can't put very tall items in the hatch area…vs say other cars, like the old Tiburon..which was deep, like a car w/trunk, but it was a hatchback..yes, I know, this is a "hybrid", but still….).

    I like the general design… but now Honda will probably send folks to Hyundai, when they start to sell that Veloster(or whatever Hyundai calls it) when it's released(supposedly within a year?).

    Maybe if Hyundai's vehicle, which looks like this(but normal engine) sells well… maybe Honda will get the idea to offer something similar…that people might want?

    2 seats… lack of space in the hatch.. probably 20K msrp, at least… o-60 in how long?

    I don't expect them to sell too many of these, unless they add 2 seats, and 140HP, normal gas engine…something….

  2. Im sure teenie-boppers will be getting slaughtered by the dozens riding these tiny things on the highways. Hope my kids don't have any friends that talk them into riding in one!

  3. What on Earth is wrong with Honda? First the Crosstour, now this.

    Honda is a shell of its former self and that shell is collapsing in on itself.

  4. Who exactly is this car supposed to appeal to? It's ugly, slow, small, and doesn't get good mileage for it's size. The opposite of everything the CRX was.

    Honda has forgotten how to design cars.

  5. Hot! I just sold my '90 CRX and I can't wait to get a chance to test drive the new CRZ. Though, I think my next car will likely be Fit Hybrid.

  6. Is that a rear air vent on the far right side of the interior picture?

    That aside, Honda just keeps getting weirder and stranger with every new model. I'm on my third and probably last Honda.

  7. Honda and Toyota have both been cruising along on just their names for too long and have put product development on the sidelines…Brands like Ford, GM and Hyundai are now going to start taking their sales with cool looking new cars.

  8. I don't know why on blogs people complain about a new design coming from Toyota or Hondas yet I see them every 5 seconds on the road regardless how ugly and slow they may appear. If that's the case then Ford and GM should really outsell Honda and Toyota right? Wrong, seems Honda and Toyota are immune to what every people think of their cars. That's why Toyota is continuing body on framing the 4 Runner people they'll be seen every 12 seconds on the us roads. People say the Camry ain't the best I seem them more than Mailubus and they are better (according to GM commercials). So… these will be everywhere in 6 to 7 weeks every 12 seconds.

  9. "Anonymous said…
    Who exactly is this car supposed to appeal to? It's ugly, slow, small, and doesn't get good mileage for it's size. The opposite of everything the CRX was.

    Honda has forgotten how to design cars.

    January 11, 2010 7:38 PM"

    You are a fucking idiot.

    The original CRX wasn't fast at all, and it was incredibly small, smaller than the CRZ. The CRZ will get great mileage.

    You fail with everything you just said.

  10. What question does this car answer? I want a tiny car with a big car nose? Just goes to show how subtle changes from a sleek concept can ruin a production model. The GM Volt will be another raging failure. Notice the new Focus snout is not a massive proboscis?

  11. "The original CRX wasn't fast at all, and it was incredibly small, smaller than the CRZ. The CRZ will get great mileage."

    Which means it sold by its looks alone. It will be interesting to see how it sells — I think it is trying to be too many things at once, too many compromises. Two non-hybrid version, one tuned for economy, one tuned for performance, would have been a cheaper and smarter move.

  12. The questioned 'vent' on the right side of the interior photo is to cool the the IMA batteries in the rear.

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