| | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 
Honda unveiled the CR-Z back in 2010, but it looks like the little sports coupe is going to receive its first facelift treatment a little earlier than anticipated. The new CR-Z made its official debut at the 2012 Paris Auto Show and will go on sale in January 2013. The updated CR-Z has received subtle revisions to the exterior and interior, with the biggest changes being made under the hood. The 1.5-liter petrol engine has been tweaked to deliver an extra 7 horsepower and the electric motor an extra 6 horsepower. With a total of 137 horsepower, the CR-Z will now sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 9 seconds (down from 9.7 seconds). The new CR-Z has also received a Plus Sport (S+) boost system that delivers increased acceleration for up to ten seconds when the battery is more than 50% charged. UPDATE 11/19/2012: Honda U.S.A. has announced prices for the 2013 CR-Z that will go on sale November 21, 2012. Prices will start from $19,975 for the standard version and from $21,655 for the EX version. Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Honda CR-Z. Exterior and Interior The exterior changes for the facelift CR-Z are minimal and include a new front bumper design with a revised grille and a new aerodynamic diffuser design. The GT models will receive new 17-inch alloy wheels and customers will have the possibility of choosing between two new exterior colors: Energetic Yellow and Aurora Violet. On the inside, the only changes include the addition of a new color scheme plus the revision of the door casings. Engine While the exterior and interior changes of the CR-Z were minimal, the engine changes were more than enough to compensate. Honda revised both the 1.5-liter petrol engine and the electric motor. The petrol engine now boasts changes to the variable valve timing system and engine control unit (ECU) and it delivers a total of 121 horsepower (up from 114 horsepower). The electric motor now takes its power from a lithium-ion battery and delivers a total of 20 horsepower (up from 14 horsepower). Combining the two motors, the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system now delivers a combined output of 137 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and a peak torque of 140 pound-feet. As a result, the 0-to-60 mph sprint time in now made in 9.0 seconds (down from 9.7) and the CR-Z now features a top speed of 124 mph. The CR-Z has also received a Plus Sport (S+) boost system that can be activated using the S+ button on the steering wheel. This new system delivers increased acceleration for up to ten seconds when the battery is more than 50% charged. Technical Specifications 
Prices
Competition At this point, the list of hybrid sports coupe is limited, but there are still plenty of models that deliver the same performance numbers as the CR-Z. Our favorite is the new Hyundai Veloster. It is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 138 horsepower — a little bit more than the CR-Z. When it comes to exterior look, it’s a bit difficult to choose. The CR-Z is a more elegant and looks more appropriate for your wife’s garage, while the Veloster features a more aggressive look and we find it a better car for a man looking for a small adrenaline rush. Revised interior and exterior More powerful hybrid system Improved performance numbers Still slower than it looks We can find more powerful competition out there sub-par fuel economy for a hybrid 20 comments: Honda CR-Z anyway, i like the way it looks. the back and the lateral view are nice, but i don’t realy like the front. not sure why
Lithium batteries are more finicky and Honda hasn’t had great track record with hybrid batteries to start with...
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Posted on
11.20.2012 @ 18:17