The Honda CR-Z will be gaining much needed firepower under the bonnet thanks to the automaker’s performance division.
Autoblog reports Honda Performance Development has introduced an aftermarket supercharger kit good for boosting power from the hybrid’s 1.5-liter four to 197 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The HPD kit also comes with an air-to-air intercooler, high-flow fuel injectors, a re-calibrated ECU that complies with CARB AT-PZEV rules, and an air filter.
The kit, priced at $5,495 plus the cost of dealer installation, is meant only for 2013 and 2014 CR-Zs with the six-speed manual funneling power to the front. If installed at a dealership, it also will maintain the vehicle’s 5-year/60,000-mile warranty balance. An optional limited-slip differential and sport clutch are available for $1,375 and $640, as well.
They still don’t get it. K20Z please. IRS please. You can even keep the hybrid tech.
Ok, so you can get into a new base manual CR-Z for around $20k.
$20,000 + fees/taxes = about $22,500
$22,500 + $5,495 = $27,995
$27,995 + dealer install? ~$1,500? = $29,495
$29,495 + $1,375 + $640 + dealer install = $31,510+
Hmm, add in the colossal depreciation on these and lower MPG and… why?
Come on, give Honda a break, that’s only slightly more money that the >300 HP/RWD/IRS/4 seat (instead of two)/decent fuel economy 2.3 turbo Mustang with the premium package.
Why? They’re making go-fast goodies that enthusiasts would want, but for a car that enthusiasts DON’T want.
I’d rather just buy the new Fit or Civic, then get a used S2000 on the side. Both of these could cost less than your calculations, and you’d get at least one practical car out of the whole deal.
$31,510+ will buy a sweet used NSX. You can’t tell me that isn’t a better choice. And, perhaps best of all, you can drive it for a few years and sell it for what you paid when you bought it!
For prices that steep, you’d be better off trading it in for a faster car.
How about a kit to reduce that god awful front overhang?
Of course it’s too expensive for this car. But come on, we all want manufacturer’s to make stuff for enthusiasts, but when they do… we crap on them. I for one think it’s pretty cool Honda is offering this with full factory warranty. Hopefully it will spill over to other models as well.
Slow clap for you sir. Please have +1 internet.
They should have made the car right from the get go. Would have cost less than this, and sold more.
IIRC, American Honda knew the CR-Z didn’t have enough power to really compete in the market and asked for an HP bump. But corporate Honda declined as they didn’t want to design a unique powertrain for this niche product. So the head of American Honda got HPD to engineer this supercharger kit.
I’ve been tempted to buy a CR-Z for the last year or so but I’m having a hard time justifying it vs a Focus/Elantra/3.
Cool they are as rare as my wife’s current Volvo C30. So maybe the CR-Z with HPD turbo is something we will have to look into down the road. As we just love two door hot hatches!
I can’t remember the last time I saw a CR-Z on the road. I would really like to know why Honda decided to develop a supercharger kit for this car. Perhaps the CR-Z is selling well enough in other markets and a supercharger kit had already been developed in those markets.
Only 356 CR-Zs retailed last month and 2,355 YTD 7-31-14. A couple of years ago I realized that all of the CR-Zs sold in a month could fit in the newest parking garage in my city. Every time I go past, the garage’s digital space counter reminds me of that fact.
That is a very good question about the option. I can’t help but think that the CR-Z with forced induction would be a lot of fun if the added ballast of the hybrid stuff was left at the curb.
There’s a red one at my apartment complex. There’s also a white CRX HF that needs some love.
I’ve also seen a white Nissan GT-R, a green Fiat 500L, a red second-gen Acura Legend… I could go on.
I’ve seen two in the last two days. Somebody is buying them. I wouldn’t mind having one myself if it was a cut-down Fit instead of a Civic.
I think it’s more about giving the Maytag repairmen over at Honda Performance Development something to do – they’re been at loose ends since that body kit they did for the Ridgeline went out of production.
Honda ain’t developing much performance nowadays. Oh, I know…just wait until that new NSX goes into production.
Yeah – just wait.
Posted this above but I seem to recall that the supercharger kit was done at the request of American Honda since Honda Japan wouldn’t give the car an HP bump. Basically, they know that the reason the CR-Z doesn’t sell is the lack of power and are trying to rectify that and make it a true hot hatch.
Only justification wold be if all the sales is to parents who hand the cars to kids who wold rather have something fast, and the kids buy the kit themselves…
Well, if you own a CR-Z at least your car can get blown.
Instead of just blown by……
A supercharged hybrid… I can’t even imagine trying to tune that ECU
Not to be negative Nancy, seeing as how I’ve never driven one I can’t really make any judgements more than what I’ve heard, but will 21 HP make that big of a difference?
For 5k I would expect minimum 100 HP gain.
Can’t quite wrap my head around spending that kind of money for what amounts to an ECU tune HP increase for most vehicles.
It’s at least a 67 hp boost, maybe more like 80 hp if they’re just reporting the engine’s power separate from the electric motor assist.
Oh shoot, I’m an idiot, I thought the torque was listed as the regular versions HP, can’t believe I missed that.
Yea 67 HP should definately make a difference at the amount this car weighs.
I can see CR-Z enthusiasts going for this. I think it’s the better looking model than the Civic, Insight, and the previous Fit. Quite unique…
I still don’t get why they never offered this car with a non-hybrid drivetrain and the excellent K24 engine. 200+ HP with no forced induction and probably a decent value proposition. Hybrid plus forced induction just seems like muddled design to me.
As the former owner of an ’86 Crx Si….I get a little nostalgic seeing the handful of crz’s around but I can’t imagine buying one new.
I guess there are probably at least a dozen or two guys with more nostalgia who’ll open their wallets, maybe.
In 20 years this will be an ultra rare model so get ’em now!
What this would be good for is buying a bargain slightly used model, as they are quite cheap. Then adding the power booster…
Supercharger? Sounds like “Wanna be” super car :D