The 2012 Honda CR-Z Mugen is beginning to take shape with at least one special edition model already being announced. The 2012 CR-Z iCF Mugen is being prepared by Honda U.K., promising the kind of performance capabilities that are befitting of Mugen’s fine-tuning.
For now, the only details that have surfaced regarding the CR-Z iCF Mugen is that it will carry a modified 1.5-liter engine that comes with an added centrifugal forced air induction system and a remapped ECU that takes the output of the hot hatch to an impressive 173 horsepower. This improved powertrain system allows the car to hit 0-62 mph in just 6.1 seconds while boasting of a top speed of 130 mph.
There doesn’t appear to be any final declarations as to how many of these cars will be sold by Honda UK Mugen dealers in the coming future. But for those interested to know how much a piece will sell for, Honda has announced that one model will carry a price tag of £24,000, which is around $37,200 based on current exchange rates.
A few years ago, Porsche boss Michael Macht gave hints on the possibility of building a hybrid version of the company’s most iconic model, the Porsche 911. While it wasn’t a full-on declaration of intent and purpose, Macht did leave the door open for Porsche to explore whatever possibilities are found behind that door. But now, it appears that the German automaker is moving away from the idea of seeing a hybrid 911.
To that, we think they finally figured out it was a bad idea.
It can be argued that a lot of people are on the fence about the thought of seeing a hybrid 911. There are those that would like to see one, considering that it’s expected to be more fuel efficient than a full-on gas-guzzling version. Others, on the other hand, are weary of tainting the legacy of the 911. For these people, there’s a simple solution: If Porsche plans on producing a hybrid sports car, they should just come out with a new model altogether and leave the 911 alone.
Now, history has shown that Porsche has caved in to market demands when they introduced the Cayenne SUV and the Panamera family sedan in their line-up. But the difference between those two models and a potential 911 hybrid was that they didn’t touch any of their existing models, opting instead to build an entirely new model based on those specific platforms.
Continued after the jump.
Full story
While everyone’s eyes are focused on the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, Toyota has announced details on their line-up for the upcoming Tokyo Auto Show. One of the models to be displayed in Tokyo is a new version for the Prius family. After its debut in Tokyo, the Prius C will be making its North American debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show.
The new Prius C will be using Toyota’s renowned Hybrid Synergy Drive technology and will deliver a fuel economy of 50 mpg in the city, which is the highest city mpg of any non-plug-in vehicle. The new Prius C will bring a more youthful expression and a sportier dynamic character that offers a more fun-to-drive experience.
The model will also be offered with Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, steering-wheel audio controls, and nine airbags as standard features. That being said, one of the most impressive features of the new Prius C is the addition of the new Toyota Entune multimedia system that allows users to connect with popular apps such as Bing, OpenTable.com, and movietickets.com.
UPDATE 02/08/2012: Toyta has announced that the new Prius c will go on sale on the US market in March 2012. The Prius c One will be priced at $18,950, the Prius c Two at $19,900, the Prius c Three at $21,635, and the Prius c Four at $23,230.
The Tokyo Motor Show is just around the corner - doors open in December - so it was high time that automakers started revealing their plans, including the over 20 world debuts scheduled. Mitsubishi is starting off its announcements with two new models that will be in attendance in Tokyo. One of them is a second version of the PX-MiEV Concept first unveiled back in 2009. This new concept takes Mitsubishi’s existing EV technology a step forward, delivering more environmental performance and better fuel efficiency than any existing SUV.
The PX-MiEV Concept II uses a unique plug-in hybrid system that combines a small 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine with EV technology derived from the Mitsubishi i-MiEV. This system allows the Concept PX-MiEV II to offer an impressive economy of more than 60 km/l (141 mpg) and a cruising range of over 800 km (497 miles).
The hybrid system takes its power from high-capacity batteries that allow the vehicle to cover over 50 km (31 miles) in all-electric mode alone. The driver has a button that allows him to change from Battery Drive Mode (for those residential areas) to pure EV more (for the countryside).
Stay tuned because more details on the Mitsubishi PX-MiEV Concept II will be revealed at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.
Here’s another Honda CR-Z that made a SEMA comeback after its debut at the 2010 SEMA Auto Show.
Courtesy of Eibach Springs, this 2011 CR-Z was retooled and modified to become the kind of car everybody has always known the CR-Z could become. The look of the CR-Z hybrid suggests the extensive work Eibach Springs did to make it look the way it does. Among the added elements on the exterior are a C-West aero kit, a Mugen spoiler, an elaborate paint scheme and graphics, a new suspension program courtesy of Eibach, and a big brake kit from Stoptech. Inside, the standard features of the CR-Z were taken out in favor of a complete racing set-up that includes Sparco seats and a full roll bar.
But the most important order of business involving this project was taking out the original hybrid drivetrain of the CR-Z and replacing it with a 2.4-liter K24 four-cylinder engine from an Acura TSX. This new engine produces 280 horsepower and gets some extra help from K&N with a new intake system. Seeing as the CR-Z’s original IMA hybrid system is made up of a 1.5-liter engine combined with an electric motor that provides a total of 124 horsepower and 131 lb/ft of torque, we’re thinking that 280 ponies is a very significant upgrade. But there’s more.
According to some folks from Eibach Springs, this particular CR-Z will still receive a supercharger after SEMA, which means that when all is said and done, it’s going to pack way more than just 280 horsepower.
