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Honda is showing a new, near-production version of its forthcoming CR-Z hybrid sports coupe at the Tokyo Auto Show. According to this video, Honda is calling its design language “Advanced Sensual Bullet.” You feeling it? If not, research is already underway on modifications to make the neo-CRX look more like the ur-CRX. And styling aside, the contrast between the CR-Z (1.5-liter I-4 with IMA mild hybrid, FWD and a six-speed manual) and the Toyobaru FT-86 (2.0 boxer four, RWD and a six-speed manual) should make for some interesting road tests and endless internet debates. In 2011. Or perhaps even 2012. Still, these are encouraging signs for those of us who might have been tempted to declare the age of the entry-enthusiast car at an end.
27 Comments on “Honda CR-Z Version 2.0: Advanced Sensual Bullet...”
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I had a ’84 CRX and it holds a special place in my heart still (first car). If they did this car properly I’d be interested for sure. Might have to trade the Jeep and get an Unlimited though as having two very short wheelbase vehicles doesn’t make much sense.
For once, a Honda that doesn’t totally offend the senses. The designers, therefore, haven’t tried hard enough.
I like it. Hurry up Honda.
BTW: If that’s an advanced sensual bullet, it begs the question; “what’s the 2009 Accord?”
Not bad, but what will the price be? If this is a hybrid, then we’re looking at a mid-twenties price point here.
Personally, I’d bring out a CRX for the 21st century – lightweight, simple, and inexpensive. Think of a lighter-weight, two-door Fit – how much fun would that car be?
Sell it for $19,000, and you’ve got a line to buy it.
There IS a market for a good entry-level coupe – Toyota sold tons of Scion Tcs – but it’s all dependent on price.
Our (then new) 1989 Honda CRX Si?? Best. Car. Ever. The fact that my sister thought she had to move upscale and traded it for a 1993 Honda Prelude STILL hurts us both to this day. That little scooter hit all of the right buttons. Amazing what a slick 5 speed manual couples with a lightweight and simple design can do. Is anybody listening to this anymore? On a warm afternoon with the sunroof slide back and a nice switchback road in front of me, there was nothing better. And all of that from only 108 HP. Here’s hoping the new CR-Z brings that back. They’d have two buyers pretty quickly out the gate if it does (and is priced for us mere mortals to afford).
Although I am of the opinion that it should not be a hybrid. Slap an i-vtec in there and away you go.
I will say this (and it’s equally true for the FT-86). There are three simple rules to making a car such as this
1. Keep the weight down to allow the car to have supple, compliant suspension (like an Elise).
2. Don’t give it far too much power (this puts fuel and insurance costs up).
3. Keep the width of the tyres (sic.) down (because handling and road-holding are not the same thing).
If they follow these rules, Honda and Toyota will have a pair of fantastic cars which will sell all over the world.
Want it.
I would like it in a pure plug-in electric (you can put a baseball card in the wheel spokes so it makes noise).
A glimmer of light in the recent, long, dark Honda tunnel emerges.
Like others said, stay true the CRX roots: keep the weight down, make it shift snappy, corner quickly and not cost too much and my interest level goes up another a few notches.
However if the new FT-86 is: turbo charged, RWD + hatchback and within $4K price wise I’d have to jump ship (I’ve owned 2 Civics + a Prelude Si) and go with the Toyota as its a true sports coupe.
I’m down with the design, and the interior is really nice (similar to the RSX, with a driver oriented dash). The drivetrain is going to make or break this car though. If they only make it available with the 1.5L IMA hybrid setup, I think it’s going to be too expensive and not fast enough. Some are speculating that, much like with the original CRX, Honda will offer 3 drivetrain options. A base model with just the straight 1.5l, the hybrid HF model, and an Si with something really nice under the hood.
Personally, I could go for a base model with the 1.5 for 16k, or an Si for under 22. The Si should have either the K20 (Civic Si) or K24 (TSX). I could maybe go for an Si with the R18 (Civic) as well if they tuned it a little. A hybrid for 20k isn’t going to cut it for me. Maybe if they offered it for 18.
With today’s announcements from Honda and Toyota, I’d say that it’s a great day to be a car guy.
Cool-looking. Like others, I’d like an ice without the battery-electric. I prefer my internal combustion straight, like my bourbon. Either way, though, I hope they do a good job of it.
As for “advanced sensual bullet,” it sounds like Japanese engrish to me. To get the idea, and laugh a lot, go to engrish.com. One of my favorites was “take a grip of steering. Nissan”
bummer! the changes to the looks of the car are subtle, but they’ve taken a lot of character from the car which made it unique in its style. now it looks a little more derivative. i can’t put my finger on exactly why, but i don’t like it anymore.. honda did the same thing with the insight.
campocaceres,
It looks more like the second gen CRX to me. The concept really was gorgeous. See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Honda_CR-Z.JPG
I suppose it was too unrealistic to believe that this design would make it to production.
The doors and side windows look like they’re off the new Nissan 370z whilst the rest of the body kinda looks like the new VW Scirroco… the nose? Jeeze that’s some snout. I can see the underside of that scraping a few speed bumps.
It’s one of those cars where I’m not sure if I like the look of it…
But more importantly, these three words “Hybrid Sports Coupe” do not belong together in a sentence. If you want to save the world, fine! Buy a proper hybrid. If you want a sports coupe, fine! Go and buy a proper hot-hatch. You cannot save the world and be sporty at the same time – it’s the ultimate dumbass compromise for the “look at me, I’m cool but eco-friendly” munchkin.
I like it! Hope it doesn’t cost a bundle.
This and the Toyobaru are both ugly. This looks like an amateur garage restyle of a CRX, while Toyobaru looks like a cheap GT-R knockoff. Pass.
I like it, but………..
Is it just me, or is anyone else tired of the high beltline styling trend that is prevalent these days? I understand why it’s done, but I’m just tired of it. I can sit in a bathtub at home.
I miss comfortably resting my arm on the windowsill………
Lower the beltline, and give me an ICE option, and I’d buy one right away.
Maybe it’s just me but put some rear fender skirts on it and it’d be like having a second generation version of the original Insight.
Totally hot! truly looks like a modern day CRX. Honda hasn’t totally lost it’s way, hallelujah!
Drove my brother’s CRX a few times back in the day, now that was a Honda!…light, tossable, eager to rev, flawless manual transmition.
If Honda can keep the same formula (i.e low weight, eager responses, reasonable price) and make sure the battery assist is seemless/invisible…suddenly, the future for enthusiasts is bright.
Great fun, good looks, modern safety, and 40+mpg would be a winner in my book.
Pretty interested. 19k w/ hybrid, 16-17k w/o sounds good.
majo8 – Modern side impact standards=high beltline.
Fashion probably puts it up more but it is here to stay.
Bunter
Advanced Sensual Bullet…is that like a dildo made by Acura?
Any how, I think this looks pretty sharp. The wheel design could use a little work and I would like to see a variant without a hybrid powertrain, but with a longitudinal F22C1 motor.
You might as well save some tuners the trouble.
Nice looking car, the right price point and ICE availability I think would make this a hit.
Nose/front overhang is a bit much, but otherwise, I’d consider one until I know more.
The main problem of the CR-Z is the incompatibility of sporty and hybrid. Anyone that’s driven a current Civic Hybrid or Insight knows that neither is remotely sporty, yet that’s the rumored drivetrain for the production CR-Z. Making the CR-Z significantly lighter than other Honda hybrids could make it sportier, but using advanced materials would drive the cost well above an entry level price.
I’m not sure what it costs to take one home today, but my 2006 Civic Si was $19,995, and it’s both efficient (30 mpg highway) and fun to drive. My Fit is fairly fun to drive, and it always gets at least 35 mpg, with a high of 47.5 mpg (highway) a few weeks ago. IMO, Honda either needs to step up to Prius level fuel economy or get out of the hybrid game. Honda’s non-hybrid drivetrains cost much less, and for the average driver, offer nearly the economy of their hybrids.
Honda has all of the parts to make very sporty, efficient, relatively inexpensive, two & four seat coupes, without resorting to a hybrid drivetrain. Why they don’t is a mystery.
K20a Insight
K20a Fit
Cadillac has “art and science”
BMW has “Bangle butt”
Honda has “fast and furious”
Honda really needs to fire the “fast and furious” designers – pronto.
-ted
Well, Honda has a few different groups.
You got your Power Plenum Group
You got your Fast and Furious Group
and then
You got your Crosstour Group
I’d keep the F&Fers and send the rest back to GM.
Honda has a great looking hybrid on their hands. And they are picking up a huge market that is being missed….a sporty hybrid car. I’m convinced the young generation wants to jump on the hybrid movement, but there is no ‘sporty cars’.
Once again the price point is the big factor, could make or break the CRZ. Have an interesting thread over at CRZForum.com about pricing for the CRZ, seems like most users think its gonna be around $25,000, check it out if interested
here
Nonetheless in less than 2 weeks we should finally know a firm release date and firm pricing from Honda. I myself can hardly wait, bring on Tokyo!