Honda CR-Z

Infobox Automobile


name =Honda CR-Z
manufacturer =Honda
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predecessor =Honda CR-X (1988-1991)
Honda Remix (2006)
Honda Small Hybrid Sports (2007)
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body_style =Hatchbackcite web|url= http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/354/C14640/|title= Europe Gets First Dibs On Honda CR-Z Hybrid Hatchback|accessdate= 2008-02-22|last= Kwan|first= Michael|date= 2008-02-20|work= Mobile Magazine]
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The Honda CR-Z (Compact Renaissance Zero)cite web|url= http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=122954|title= 2007 Tokyo Auto Show Preview: Honda CR-Z|accessdate= 2008-02-22|date= 2007-10-09|work= Inside Line|publisher= edmunds|quote= Honda says the name of its sporty two-passenger concept for Tokyo — CR-Z — stands for "Compact Renaissance Zero." But it's no accident that the car and its name evoke fond memories of the old Honda CRX from the late '80s and early '90s.] is a gasoline-electric hybrid automobile developed and planned for production by Honda. The CR-Z was first introduced as a concept car by Honda CEO Takeo Fukui on October 23, 2007 at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show. Fukui further announced that a production model is "in the works" and that the car is intended to be "sporty, incredibly efficient and inexpensive".cite web|url= http://blogs.edmunds.com/Straightline/3619|title= 2007 Tokyo Auto Show: Honda CR-Z|accessdate= 2008-02-22|last= Hellwig|first= Ed|date= 2007-10-23|work= Inside Line|publisher= edmunds|quote= Today at the Tokyo auto show, Fukui presided over the introduction of the CR-Z concept.] The CR-Z was first shown in America at the 2008 Detroit NAIAS (North American International Auto Show).http://automobiles.honda.com/cr-z/ Honda Future Models+Concepts,] Aside from the fact that it will use Honda's Integrated Motor Assist system,cite web|url= http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/02/europe-gets-hon.html|title= Europe Gets Honda's CR-Z Hybrid Before The Rest of Us.|accessdate= 2008-02-22|last= Squatriglia|first= Chuck|date= 2008-02-20|work= Autopia|publisher= Wired] the specifications of CR-Z's drive train are unknown.

History

The design and production of the CR-Z follows two other Honda hybrid concept cars: the Honda Remix, introduced at the 2006 Los Angeles Motor Show, and the Honda Small Hybrid Sports, introduced at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show.cite web|url= http://www.channel4.com/4car/ft/feature/motor+show/11982/1|title= Tokyo 2007: Honda CR-Z|accessdate= 2008-02-22|date= 2007-10-19|work= channel4.com|publisher= Channel 4]

The four-seat CR-Z is regarded as the spiritual successor to the second generation Honda CR-X in both name and design.

Production

According to "Automotive News Europe", Honda plans to roll out the production CR-Z in 2009 or 2010, first in Europe before expanding production and distribution to the rest of the world. The CR-Z is expected to cost approximately €25,000 (with higher-trim models retailing up to €28k) and be primarily geared towards the European market. Because of the vehicle's importance on that continent, Mark Turner of Honda UK says that Europe will have a great deal of influence on the final design of the vehicle.cite web|url= http://news.trendaz.com/index.shtml?show=news&newsid=1140408&lang=EN|title= Honda CR-Z Production Update|accessdate= 2008-02-22|date= 2008-02-21|publisher= TREND news Agency]

Several reports by "Edmunds Inside Line" indicate that the CR-Z will arrive in North America following the early 2009 launch of a currently unnamed 5-door hybrid.cite web|url= http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=126385|title= Honda Confirms Fit Hybrid - and a New Prius-Fighting Hybrid|accessdate= 2008-06-26|date= 2008-05-21|work= Inside Line|publisher= edmunds|quote= Following the launch of its Prius fighter, Honda will introduce another small hybrid based on the CR-Z sports car, which was first shown in concept form at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show.] cite web|url= http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=127406|title= Honda: Mainstream Meets Extreme|accessdate= 2008-06-26|date= 2008-06-18|work= Inside Line|publisher= edmunds|quote= The CR-Z concept is coming to America sooner than you think. ... Honda's U.S. dealers also will get a version of the sporty CR-Z concept...]

Gallery

References

External links

* [http://automobiles.honda.com/cr-z/ Honda CR-Z – Hybrid Concept Car – Official Web Site (U.S.)]
* [http://world.honda.com/news/2008/4080113Next-Generation-Green-Cars/ Official press release]