We saw the Honda CR-Z at the Tokyo Auto Show. We've known for some time that it will debut in the U.S. as a two-seater in 2010. And we knew that it would use a hybrid drivetrain consisting of a 1.5-liter gas engine and a small front-drive electric motor with a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. Now today, thanks to a Temple of VTEC member based in Japan, we know some hard numbers about the production CR-Z, at least in Japanese specification.
The member, "hnsxr," took photos of a Japanese brochure and posted them on the Temple. With a little metric conversion, we can deduce that the 1.5-liter inline-4 will be rated at 113 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 107 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. The electric-assist side of the IMA system will contribute 13 hp at 1,500 rpm and 58 lb-ft at 1,000 rpm.
And Honda claims in the brochure that the CR-Z will go from 0-100 km/h in 9.7 seconds, a number we presume was achieved with the CR-Z's standard 6-speed manual gearbox versus its optional CVT. However, said number is likely for the 4-seat Japanese model, so perhaps our hopefully lighter 2-seater will be a couple tenths quicker. Also, there will be normal, econ and sport driving modes (each with a special display in the instrument panel a la Lexus LFA).
In addition, we're now fairly certain that the 2011 Honda CR-Z rides on a 95.9-inch wheelbase (2.5 inches shorter than the Honda Fit's) and has a 59.6-inch front and a 59.0-inch rear track (1 inch wider than the Fit on both counts). The hatch is 160.6 inches long (1 inch shorter than the Fit), 68.5 inches wide (2 inches wider the Fit) and 54.9 inches tall (thankfully 3 inches shorter in stature than the tall Fit).
siarizona says:
04:15 PM, 12/ 8/09
Nice spy work! This is a sharp car, imagine Honda will sell as many as they can ship for a while.
hondacura4 says:
04:46 PM, 12/ 8/09
WOW, finally an attractive design from Honda! Being a Hybrid is great but I really wish Honda would eventually offer a tarted up K20/6MT with 220hp/158tq. That of course would make it perform much better and still be fuel efficient as many Si owners have reported 33-35MPG on the highway. In the lighter CR-Z I could imagine that drivetrain doing even better.
Honda, PLEASE don't forget about us enthusiasts as we are the reason the CRX was so popular to begin with. Given that Honda only has 1 performance car in its lineup (Civic Si) a CRZ Si would make perfect sense.
billt9 says:
06:43 PM, 12/ 8/09
This will reverse the atrocity Honda commited with the Crosstour.
Die quickly, Crosstour. Please.
sabastian says:
07:49 PM, 12/ 8/09
"Given that Honda only has 1 performance car in its lineup (Civic Si) a CRZ Si would make perfect sense."
Indeed! A CRZ Si would be on my short list if Honda decided to make it.