Honda showing CR-Z Concept

[dascrow]

by Damon Lavrinc

Honda will have 18 different vehicles gracing its stand in Tokyo, and one of the more accessible is the CR-Z Concept. The pseudo-acronym is an obvious play on the Godfather of the sport compact movement during the late 80s, the glass-hatched CRX, but Honda insists that it stands for "Compact Renaissance Zero." Fine by us, as we've been looking fondly on the past when it comes to the automaker's small-sized offerings.

The CR-Z finds it inspiration with a balance of entertaining driving dynamics and a hybrid power train that fuses lightweight chuckability with a clear environmental conscience. And it's doable to, as the hybrid power train sounds as if it's the same one found in the Honda Civic Hybrid.

The exterior styling is some of the more dynamic and attractive we've seen come out of Honda's design department in recent memory, eschewing the bulbous and boring with more aggression and vitality. The oversized grille and raked hood are mildly reminiscent of a fully formed Se7en, and the upkicked swage line tapers into powerful rear haunches, ending with tube-shaped tail lamps.

Inside, Honda was shooting for an airy atmosphere that marries high-tech with high-style, something that seems to have been handily achieved.

We're looking forward to seeing the CR-Z in person when it debuts less than two-weeks from now, and if the concept is as handsome in person as it is in the pics, we hope that it'll reach dealers sometime after the turn of the decade.
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/09/t...-cr-z-concept/

[dom yo]

hmm not bad.. as usual the back could use some redesign

[argenstyle]

Originally Posted by dom yo

hmm not bad.. as usual the back could use some redesign

I don't know? I will have to disagree with you, The back does not look too bad, It definitely has a futurist crx look.

Now the interior image of the dash is awesome

argenstyle

[Sirfallsalot243]

I would buy that. I would buy that TOMORROW.

Imagine that with a boosted K24??

[propho]

I wish they would make concept cars less ugly.. I know it's a concept but that front is hideous

[solsykness]

It all needs to be redesigned.

[egchick]

hehe me likey!!!

[The Real Rio]

I happen to just love the look of this CRX replacement! I think the front shows clever thinking while trying to stay in line with the strick European Pedestrian Safery Standards, these standards mandate a tall front nose, gonewill be the days of wedge shaped designs.

The side profile is stunning, I think it is flat out the best design to come out of honda since 1995 when they showed the SSM which eventually became the S2000.

[The Real Rio]

Originally Posted by Sirfallsalot243

I would buy that. I would buy that TOMORROW.
Imagine that with a boosted K24??

This new car, coming in '09 to '10 will challenge many people's way of thinking. The objective is not gas performance, but new and fresh hybrid performance.

The rumors are 1.3 I4 producing 113 horsepower. Now I know that does not sound all that thrilling, but, add to that 268 foot pounds of torque and you have the potential for some really zippy performance. Keep in mind, the E46 M3 has something like 262 foot pounds.

[BlueBallz]

That's the next CRX, I don't care what anybody says.

That would definitely be cool if they kept the glass top in production.
Look at that rear side window: CRX all the way!
EDIT: If they keep the glass top, I may have to go into debt, especially if they make
it "targa-able". Any projected price range if they make it?

[The Real Rio]

Totally agreed, in fact I'm already planning to purchase in the 2nd or 3rd model year it is out. I must have one to park next to my '90 CRX-Si.

In fact, I want it to come in something like Imola Orange, that way I can tell everybody my S and my CRX-Si had sex over the winter and this new creation was born.

[The Real Rio]

Just so you know, all the rumors are indicating the final product will look much like this. The chage will be to the rear hatch somehow, and I don't know more than that.

I'm thinking it might have something to do with the shape of the hatch/back vertical glass.

Sorry for lousy pic, but the best I can find of this view.


Notice how flimsy that back vertical window looks. That would have to be stronger looking than it is here. I'm hoping thought he change does not effect the overall profile at all!

[The Real Rio]

Considering how close to production this concept is I'm really surprised by the lack of a 3rd brake light, when they do add it, I wonder where they will put it, keeping in mond, that too might be one of tthe reasons the hatch is said to be under redesign.

[MQTGSR]

I think this concept is still growing on me. Although personally I hope they change the front around, but the back end I really like. The idea behind it tho is a really good one, just like the first CR-X, light, small, simple, economical, fun.

I was skeptical of the hybred at first, and was like, why not a k20? but if this electric motor there putting on the car is going to be this good, should make a quick car, prob. faster than a k20.

[The Real Rio]

I hear ya, at 1st I was like WTF? hybrid, give me a break...

But now I'm thinking more along the lines of sure, let's see what somebody can do to add hybrid to fun/sporty. As the technolgy advances there has got to be a place for hybrid sportscars. If not, then the true enthusiasts will only move away from gas kicking and screaming because it is just flat out too much money.

I think Honda would do well to be the 1st one on the block with fun + sporty + hybrid all in one package. I look at the Toyota Pirus and say - there has got to be more!

My Titan gets about 16mpg because of where and how I drive. I have to have the Titan for towing duties, and I would love a fun little vehicle for daily driving that would be good on gas, and although I have my CRX-Si, that is just not a daily driver.