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Ever since its official launch, the Honda CR-Z has received prize after prize, including being named Japan’s Car of the Year. However despite these recognitions, sales still aren’t as Honda might have expected. This had lead the company to believe that hybrid cars just aren’t appreciated enough for the value they offer, so they have prepared an alternative that might make a little more money for them. The new Turbo version will drop the hybrid powertrain in favor of a regular engine offered in two different versions, with one going up to 200 HP. The first rumors for this vehicle report that the future Honda CR-Z Turbo will take its design inspiration from the Honda CR-Z R Concept (pictured above) unveiled in November at the SEMA Show. The R Concept featured a more aggressive front grille, a huge rear wing, a lowered ride, and bigger wheels that, if taken for the Turbo, would make it look like a car we could work with. Hit the jump to read more about the future Honda CR-Z Hybrid. Exterior and InteriorThe Honda CR-Z is a hybrid sports car with a near perfect exterior design. However, the Turbo version should be a little more aggressive if it borrows the design elements from the R Concept mentioned earlier. The new front grille, rear wing, and wheels should appeal to a bigger market than the basic coupe did. The interior will also feature more sporty elements. EngineThe hybrid CR-Z is powered by a 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. This system delivers a total of 122 HP m and 128 lb-ft. of torque at 1,000 to 1,500 rpm. The Turbo version will be powered by a forced-induction 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine offered in two versions, with the most powerful version to deliver 200-hp and 175 ft-lbs of torque. A significant increase over the current 122 HP.  CompetitionThe competition on the market for the Turbo is quite strong, but Honda’s main target is the Mini Cooper. The Eclipse also presented some real competition for the CR-Z, but since Mitsubishi plans to drop it, Honda doesn’t have to worry about them anymore. With prices starting from $25,700, the Mini Cooper is powered by a 1.6-liter engine that delivers 118 HP and 175 with a turbocharger. This car has the advantage of it is offered in both coupe and cabrio version. On the other hand the CR-Z features a sportier and more aggressive design which may lead the scales to tip in their favor. When Can I Buy One?The turbocharged version will be offered in late 2011. Images in this article are for the Honda CR-Z Hybrid R Concept. 28 comments: Honda CR-Z Turbo CR-Z really looks so luscious on its body paint. I just also noticed that it looks like a Subaru vehicle because on its air intake. Moreover, I don’t like the fact that it is an electric motor.
 carguy07, don’t forget that H is japanese and Veloster is the same of ever, a korean. only time can demostrate the quality of cars, at this momment hyundai comes and go with models that disappear fastly, and Honda remains. The leaders of tech are Honda Nissan and Mitsubishi, koreans only try to copy. Respect the best
 We couldn’t admit the sportiness of the vehicle. The speed performance of the car is quite impressive as well. I hope to see a future debut of this car!
 I think it would be better if they haven’t used the red paint job for the vehicle. Compare to the Mini this would be better.
 I like the design of the car which is very sporty and aggressive, but I think the rear back of the car is lame. It is shapeless. By the way, the performance of the car is great. It really delivers a powerful output, and as a result the competition is tough.
 It is going to be a tough competition between the super cars. If it’s a turbo, this going to be fun. This Honda CR-Z has a very sporty look. This is going to be one of their winning cars.
 I certainly agree with you carguy07!I have the same thought also. Anyway, Even from the beginning I don’t believe in hybrid sports car. I think we couldn’t expect better speed performance in this type of technology.
Looks like if the latest news is true—that Honda will produce a turbo but unfortunately retain its lame, outdated, poor performing ima system (with only a meager 160 hp). Since making the Cr-Z a hybrid was a poor decision by Honda (it does nothing to enhance the performance of this machine as it delivers neither sporty acceleration nor impressive mpg). What was Honda thinking when an thousands of dollars cheaper Elantra delivers better gas mileage and is just as fast if not faster from 0-60 than the CR-Z which is suppose to be sporty? I give up on the CR-Z (hopefully Honda will develop a new sports coupe will genuine performance that is not a hybrid). The Ft-86 will be true sports car unlike this pretender CR-Zzzzzzz. Even the new Veloster should equal or better the performance of the Cr-z for a cheaper price and without needing to go the hybrid route (and the turbo version would make the 160 hp cr-z irrelevant).
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Posted on
02.15.2012 @ 03:02