HONDA CR-Z PROVES CLEAN CARS CAN BE FUN

Styling of the Honda CR-Z hybrid is out of the ordinary

Styling of the Honda CR-Z hybrid is out of the ordinary

Some cars just cry out to be re-tested periodically, either because they have become benchmarks, or earned an important place in history or possibly both. The Honda CR-Z coupe falls into both categories.

Until the launch of the all-new Honda CR-Z, which the Japanese company has billed as ‘the world’s first hybrid sports coupe’, the only reason to buy a petrol-electric hybrid was to minimise emissions and fuel use.

Honda CR-Z immediately changed people’s thinking on hybrids and was such a revelation that it even took out the Wheels’ magazine 2011 Car of the Year award – the most prestigious award of its type in Australia.

Honda_CR-Z_rear
Now the big names in sportscars are also working hard on developing hybrid cars, amongst them Ferrari and Porsche. These supercar hybrids are not only immensely more complex in their drivetrains than the little Honda, but also don’t do your bank balance any favours.

Honda’s long overdue NSX hybrid supercar, due in 2015, is likely to rival the big name Europeans in performance, although probably not in price – we can’t wait to get into ourselves one…

Power for the Honda CR-Z comes from the combination of 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine and Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) electric system. Maximum power output for the combined petrol/electric system is 100 kW with peak torque of 190 Nm (manual) or 172 Nm (automatic CVT).

Honda_CR-Z_interior
Though we admit that CVT is a more efficient way of transmitting power, thankfully our road test car had a ‘proper’ manual gearbox.

This is the sort of car that cries out to be taken to your favourite country roads when traffic is light, or preferably non existent – hills and curves that test car and driver to the limit if you want to really press yourself. The Honda couple sliced along in a most delightful way, hugging the curves and remaining beautifully balanced. The little high-revving Honda engine, aided by the extra torque provided by the electric motor was very much part of the driving enjoyment.

Torque is paramount for most driving enthusiasts and, as with all pure electric or petrol/electric vehicles, there’s plenty of it at low revs meaning that it can accelerate sharply from a standing start. Add the high revs that are characteristic of Honda engines and there’s plenty to enjoy.

Just as importantly, the CR-Z performs well in daily commutes because energy that would otherwise have been lost in a conventional car, is stored in a battery for reuse when taking off again. Once more the added torque that’s such a feature in country driving comes to the fore in traffic.

On test our fuel consumption was between four and five litres per hundred kilometres in easy freeway running, rising to sixes and sevens in town. Impressive figures given that we made no real attempt at economy driving.

Honda CR-Z has a three-mode drive system (Sport, Normal and Economy) which controls steering, throttle response and IMA assistance. ‘Sport’ mode increases throttle and steering responsiveness and increases electric motor power assistance. ‘Economy’ mode tunes the system for optimal fuel economy. ‘Normal’ balances performance, economy and emissions to suit most driving conditions.

As part of a 2013 upgrade Honda’s new Plus Sport (S+) feature was added. With the press of a button this gives provides extra engine and electric motor assist power. It can be used with any of three drive modes.

Other 2013 enhancements include a lithium ion battery; rear LED lights; redesigned front bumper and grille; 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels and two additional exterior colours.

Styling of the Honda CR-Z is distinctive with a sloping rear glass roof and chopped off tail that are reminiscent of the old Honda CR-X and the original Honda Insight. The latter being the first every production hybrid to go on sale in Australia.

The horizontal split panel arrangement of the rear windscreen doesn’t do a lot for vision. Drivers who don’t adjust their door mirrors correctly could get themselves into strife.

Honda CR-Z is best considered as a 2+2 with the rear seats only there for emergencies. Front leg, shoulder and headroom are all good.

Luggage space is reasonable at 225 litres, expanding to 393 litres with the rear seatback folded, the latter is a feature not always available in hybrids.

CR-Z comes with a choice of six-speed manual and CVT.

Standard safety features include front, side and curtain airbags, ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, stability and traction control.

On the crash avoidance front there are daytime running lights, LED taillights and rain sensing windscreen wipers.

Upmarket interior features include satellite navigation, reversing camera, panoramic glass roof, leather-trimmed front seats, climate-control air conditioning, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth connectivity, steering wheel-mounted controls and USB and Auxiliary inputs.

The very clever Honda CR-Z adds driving enjoyment to fuel savings and low emissions and is a true little sports machine that appeals to many drivers.

AT A GLANCE

MODEL RANGE:
CR-Z 1.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid three-door hatch: $38,490 (manual), $40,790 (CVT)
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Honda dealer for drive-away prices.

FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard
Automatic Transmission: CVT optional
Cruise Control: Standard
Dual Front Airbags: Standard
Front Side Airbags: Standard
Electronic Stability Program: Standard
Rear Parking Sensors: Optional
Reversing Camera: Standard
USB/Auxiliary Audio Inputs: Standard
Bluetooth: Standard
Steering Wheel Mounted Controls: Standard

SPECIFICATIONS (Honda CR-Z Sport 1.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid three-door hatch)

ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.497 litres
Configuration: In-line 4-cylinder
Head Design: SOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 10.4:1
Bore/Stroke: 73.0mm x 89.4mm
Maximum Power: 100 kW @ 6600 rpm
Maximum Torque: 190 Nm @ 1000-3000 rpm

DRIVELINE:
Manual Transmission: Six-speed
Automatic Transmission: Continuously Variable

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4080 mm
Width: 1740 mm
Height: 1395 mm
Wheelbase: 2435 mm
Boot space: 225 litres (393 litres with rear seatbacks folded)
Turning Circle: 10.8 metres
Kerb Mass: 1115 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 40 litres
Towing Ability: Not provided

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: MacPherson struts
Rear Suspension: Torsion beam axle
Front Brakes: Ventilated Disc
Rear Brakes: Disc

FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Petrol 91RON
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 5.0 L/100km
CO2 Emissions: 118g/km

GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 8.5/10
Air Pollution Rating: 6.5/10

STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years, 100,000 kilometres

About Ewan Kennedy

Ewan Kennedy, a long-time car enthusiast, was Technical Research Librarian with the NRMA from 1970 until 1985. He worked part-time as a freelance motoring journalist from 1977 until 1985, when he took a full-time position as Technical Editor with Modern Motor magazine. Late in 1987 he left to set up a full-time business as a freelance motoring journalist. Ewan is an associate member of the Society of Automotive Engineers - International. An economy driving expert, he set the Guinness World Record for the greatest distance travelled in a standard road vehicle on a single fuel fill. He lists his hobbies as stage acting, travelling, boating and reading.
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