Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid Makes Debut

By Craig Taylor

January 12, 2010

The 2011 Honda CR-Z sport hybrid coupe, made its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this week.

Set to go on sale late summer in the U.S., the 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-passenger CR-Z introduces a new three-mode drive system that allows the driver to select between Sport, Econ (Economy) and Normal driving modes. The system delivers a combined peak output of 122 horsepower(2) at 6,000 rpm and 128 ft-lb. of torque(2) at 1,000 to 1,500 rpm.

The new CR-Z brings sleek styling and sporty handling to the hybrid market. “The CR-Z is a personal sport hybrid coupe for people with a spirit of adventure and an elevated sense of responsibility toward the environment,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. “It's the first hybrid designed to maximize style and fun, in addition to efficiency and economy.”

Preliminary fuel economy estimates are anticipated to result in a rating of 36 city/38 highway miles per gallon. Manual transmission models are anticipated to achieve an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 31 city/37 highway miles per gallon.