The 2012 Honda CR-Z has officially landed in Singapore, featuring sleek styling, sporty handling and a unique hybrid powertrain, its a unique proposition in the sports coupe segment.
"The new Honda CR-Z continues Honda’s sporty heritage. It is a unique sports hybrid coupe with a new sense of adventure towards environmental responsibility," says Mr Nicholas Wong, General Manager of Kah Motor. “Besides being stylish and fun to drive, the CR-Z impresses with its efficiency and economy.”
"The new CR-Z brings back fond memories of my first Honda — a 1989 Honda CR-X," says Mr Vincent Ng, Product Manager of Kah Motor. "As a powerful lightweight sports coupe, the CR-X was not only exciting to drive, but stirs emotion with its low and stylish design as well. The CR-Z continues this legacy."
The all new CR-Z is powered by a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine with Honda's compact and lightweight Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid-electric system. The two+two CR-Z introduces a new three-mode drive system that allows the driver to select between Sport, Econ (Economy) and Normal driving modes.
The CR-Z represents the sixth unique version of Honda's original IMA technology since the launch of the 2000 Insight. The foundation of the CR-Z's hybrid powertrain is a 4-cylinder, 16-valve, single overhead cam engine with "intelligent" Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (i-VTEC) that receives additional power from the IMA system's DC brushless electric motor. The i-VTEC system controls the opening and closing of one intake valve per cylinder to enhance combustion at low RPMs.
The 10-kilowatt electric motor assists in acceleration and also acts as a generator during braking or coasting to capture kinetic energy that recharges the 100-volt IMA nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The gasoline engine can automatically turn off during vehicle stops to improve efficiency.
The futuristically styled interior offers a high-tech appearance and ergonomically intuitive controls. Instrument panel meters illuminate with a three-dimensional, vibrant blue color theme resulting in a multi-layered appearance. Set against a motif of textured black materials and aluminum-style trim accents, the upper portion of the dashboard extends toward the driver to provide a wrap-around cockpit environment. The rear seats can be folded to create a large storage space.
The CR-Z's three-mode drive system allows the driver to select between individual modes of performance for Sport, Normal and Economy driving styles. The system is activated via three backlit buttons to the right of the steering wheel. The low vehicle height and placement of the battery and other hybrid components beneath the rear cargo area further contribute to a low center of gravity, which is key to the new CR-Z's responsive, sporty handling. Electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering enhances steering performance and improves efficiency.
The six-speed manual transmission comes as standard. Standard features on the CR-Z include Vehicle Stability Assist, an AM/FM/CD/USB audio system with six speakers, automatic climate control, power windows and door locks, remote entry, cruise control, front fog lights, and more. The CVT transmission based automatic transmission is said to be avaliable from the second quater of 2012.