Hybrid vehicles will most definitely be around for as long as we still use internal combustion engines in our cars. With models like the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight selling like crazy automakers are going to capitalize on whatever sales they can generate at this point in time. So in an attempt to diversify the hybrid market, the Japanese automaker Honda is toying around with the idea of a hybrid sports car. The world’s largest producer of engines is hoping that the crowds at the Tokyo Motor Show accept their new CR-ZX this October with open arms.
Based on the Insight, the CR-ZX will be powered by a small displacement four cylinder engine, ranging somewhere from 1.3 to 1.5 liters that is expected to return almost 60 MPG while in a hybrid sports mode. The body features a very stylish large open mouth front bumper and a sleek three door hatch back profile. This future sports hybrid could compete with other green sports cars like the upcoming Volkswagen Blue Sport Roadster and perhaps even a hybrid 370Z. The hybrid Honda may not be quite up to the level of all electric vehicle like the Tesla Roadster, but if there was any automaker who could it’s Honda. We will just have to wait and see what the tuners at Mugen could do with a CR-ZX SiR.
We may be witnessing a little bit of a revolution the Pontiac Fiero has been the choice for many Lamborghini and Ferrari ripe-off body kits because of its cheap price and mid-engine layout. Japanese tuner Abflug may have just come across the next big thing. This Toyota MR-S has a striking resemblance to a Porsche Carrera GT.
The kit may look good, but the MR-S’ original 140 hp could only embarrass any potential Porsche wannabes. Abflug helps with this a little bit by adding a turbocharger and upping the power to 190 hp. So MR-S owners beware, your little roadster may get a European accent soon.
We got a preview of the Mazda RX-8 Circuit Trial last month, but just in case you need to hide your track car’s origins in something a little more sedate, Mazda will offer the Circuit Trial package for the 6 sedan.
The car includes unique aerodynamic parts, racing decals, sport seats and bigger wheels. The Circuit Trail seems to pay special attention to the suspension with a stiffer setup and high-performance brake pads. Mazda has been tight-lipped about the details of the car, but that should change once the Tokyo Motor Salon opens this weekend.
Just like the RX-8 Circuit Trial, the U.S. has not yet been named a recipient of this car.
Detroit is not the only auto show kicking off this weekend. The Tokyo Auto Salon (think SEMA of the Far East) kicks off this Friday, and Honda has announced its lineup for the show. Just like SEMA, the manufactures like to show up with some cool designs, but usually not concept cars. Honda may be cutting back on cool cars, but there is still some room in our hearts for the current cars, especially with custom kits and performance parts.
Cars that are scheduled to appear include the Sports Modulo S2000 Concept, Sports Modulo Fit Concept, and Racing Modulo Civic Type R. While Honda didn’t provide much detail on the full upgrades to the cars, you can check out the picture gallery for a pretty good idea of what the cars are about. Because these are just customized versions of the stuff that comes off the assembly line, hopefully some of these projects will make it into U.S. hands someday.
More details in the press release after the jump.
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Honda has planned nine cars and three motorcycles for the 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon scheduled to kick off on January 11. While the four-wheeled machineries aren’t of our interest, the bikes are.
Surprisingly, Honda won’t bring the best of each lineup, but an economical cruiser – the Shadow Classic 400 – as well as a scooter – the Forza X. Still, they show off with the Black and White 2009 CBR 1000RR so that evens up the scale pretty nicely.
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After announcing that the small iQ might be offered on the US market, Toyota also announced that a roadster version of the iQ will be revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show (23 October to November 8). The car will come as a study, but will keep the same design line as the coupe version.
The spider version will be offered with a choice of 1.0 - and a 1.3-liter gasoline and diesel engine; while the safety features will include: numerous airbags, ABS and ESP.
Honda will unveil at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January the Civic Type-R Modulo, a street-legal, track-ready version of the Civic Type-R sedan.
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Nissan will present seven vehicles at the Tokyo Auto Salon, in January, according to a photo gallery the maker released earlier. The list includes three concepts and two rally cars.
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At the future Tokyo Auto Salon that will take place from 11 to 13 January 2008, Mazda will present not less than 16 customized models.
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The AutoWeek editorial staff will announce its Editors’ Choice Award winners for the 2007 Tokyo International Motor Show in its November 12 issue.
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