ECON
SPORT
compact renaissance zero
an expression intended to capture the idea of a renaissance in the design of compact cars that begins anew from fundamentals. This design research model of a lightweight hybrid sports car features advanced technologies that deliver enjoyable driving for all while reducing the vehicle’s environmental footprint. an expression intended to capture the idea of a renaissance in the design of compact cars that begins anew from fundamentals. This design research model of a lightweight hybrid sports car features advanced technologies that deliver enjoyable driving for all while reducing the vehicle’s environmental footprint.
In designing the CR-Z, we made sure to keep in mind the goal of driving pleasure—not just reaching the destination. In this era of comfort and convenience, we also wanted drivers to enjoy driving as a full-body experience.The driver drives with the entire body, and the CR-Z responds to the entire body. This kind of interaction is what brings cars and people closer together. In designing the CR-Z, we made sure to keep in mind the goal of driving pleasure—not just reaching the destination. In this era of comfort and convenience, we also wanted drivers to enjoy driving as a full-body experience. The driver drives with the entire body, and the
CR-Z responds to the entire body. This kind of interaction is what brings cars and people closer together. In designing the CR-Z, we made sure to keep in mind the goal of driving pleasure— not just reaching the destination. In this era of comfort and convenience, we also wanted drivers to enjoy driving as a full-body experience. The driver drives with the entire body, and the CR-Z responds to the entire body. This kind of interaction is what brings cars and people closer together. In designing the CR-Z, we made sure to keep in mind the goal of driving pleasure— not just reaching the destination. In this era of comfort and convenience, we also wanted
a sensual kind of shape that practically demands one to walk up and touch it.
it seems to speed along like a bullet We first designed the frame in Japan. Then we polished the clay model in Germany. We chose Germany because there more men and women and people of all ages are out driving compact cars on the highway and in town just like sports cars. Using Honda’s unique approach, we designed the CR-Z with an exterior design that would get attention and make the driver look simply great and a compact form that would allow for convenient, carefree driving. In Europe, the average driving speed is quite high, and the way the light reflects and the air moves is just different than in Japan. All of these things alter our perception of the design, and the change in environment gave us a new vision for creating just the right surfaces. The designers and modelers proceeded through trial and error, trying out many possibilities. In time, we created an advanced wedge form that seems to speed along like a bullet—a sensual kind of shape that practically demands one to walk up and touch it. This design has a sense of streamlined speed and beauty that wouldn’t be possible in a larger automobile. We first designed the frame in Japan. Then we polished the clay model in Germany. We chose Germany because there more men and women and people of all ages are out driving compact cars on the highway and in town just like sports cars. Using Honda’s unique approach, we designed the CR-Z
with an exterior design that would get attention and make the driver look simply great and a compact form that would allow for convenient, carefree driving. In Europe, the average driving speed is quite high, and the way the light reflects and the air moves is just different than in Japan. All of these things alter our perception of the design, and the change in environment gave us a new vision for creating just the right surfaces. The designers and modelers proceeded through trial and error, trying out many possibilities. In time, we created an advanced wedge form that seems to speed along like a bullet—a sensual kind of shape that practically demands one to walk up and touch it. This design has a sense of streamlined speed and beauty that wouldn’t be possible in a larger automobile.
A car ought to do more than just get us to our destination; it should offer the joy of driving along the way_
For those who remember the Honda CRX from the 1980s, the two cars share an obvious resemblance with shallow raked roofline, truncated rear, split level rear glass hatch and aerodynamic styling. But the CR-Z is the 21st century rethinking of this car, with cleaner tailpipe emissions, great fuel economy and an exciting drive. The exterior design of CR-Z deliberately evokes the iconic style of the 1980s CRX, which was originally developed to provide a small, stylish car that could achieve spectacular economy. Signature features of the CRX, like the split level rear glass hatch and low shallow raked roofline have been referenced in the design of the sleek coupe and then combined with a curvaceous and deeply sculpted exterior form. The shallow raked roofline and sharply truncated tail of the CR-Z is a key Honda design feature shared with many models past and present.
CR-X
1984
Honda introduced the Civic CRX. Light and nimble, the CRX quickly established itself within the enthusiast community. The combination of its high quality and excellent driving dynamics led Motor Trend to name the 1984 CRX as its Import Car of the Year.
del Sol
1993
The targa-topped 2-seat del Sol was first introduced to North America in 1993. A small, front-engine car, the del Sol continued where the CRX left off. 1994 saw the introduction of the del Sol Si featuring VTEC® – Honda’s trademark engine valvetiming system, giving it 160 hp and turning it into a rocket.
Insight
1999
The original Honda Insight 2-seat coupe, introduced in late 1999, broke new ground as the first gasoline-electric hybrid car sold in America. Aerodynamic and innovative, the Insight redefined the way the industry thought about fuel-efficient vehicles.
CR-Z
2011
Featuring a mode for every mood, the 3-mode drive system lets you change how the car performs in real time. Using the latest generation of IMA technology, the 2011 CR-Z should set the standard for sporty small cars of the modern era, just like its predecessors did back in their day.
_ \ Short shifts
\ Sharp and responsive
The CR-Z is the first hybrid ever to have a sporty, 6-speed manual gearbox and has been developed with the enthusiastic driver in mind. Short shifts and a firm but light action makes for a more involving drive. The manual ‘box allows the driver greater control over the CR-Z’s torquey, naturally aspirated 1.5-litre engine and provides the correct balance between driver enjoyment (with closely spaced ratios) and fuel economy (with a longer top gear).
The engineers wanted to create a stiff body unit to ensure the CR-Z’s handling was as sharp and responsive as its styling suggests. The result of these stiffening efforts is a torsional rigidity similar to that of the Civic Type R.
\ Throaty exhaust The CR-Z development team dedicated a great deal of time and thought to the design of the exhaust to give it a sporty note, quite unlike any previous compact hybrid. Of course, it also had to be an efficient unit that allowed optimum engine operation, minimised emissions and generated the target power level.
a car that transforms short, boring, everyday trips into exciting moments_
Under the bonnet, is a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine that’s new to the UK market. Euro 5 compliant, this eager-to-rev engine produces 114PS of power at 6,100rpm and torque of 145Nm at 4,800rpm. The electric motor is positioned between the engine and gearbox and produces power of 14PS and boosts torque by 78.4Nm – both of which come much lower down the rev range – between 1,000 and 1,500rpm. This ‘low down torque’ improves initial acceleration and means the CR-Z bursts into action almost immediately – perfect for stop-start driving in built up areas. Together the petrol engine and electric motor generate an overall power output of 124PS at 6,100rpm and 174Nm of torque between 10001,500rpm. This is equivalent to the peak torque of a 1.8-litre Civic. The torque curve of the new hybrid is unusually flat for a naturally aspirated engine, with the peak arriving at just 1,500 rpm, enabling great flexibility at all engine speeds. The result on the road is that the CR-Z manages 0-62mph in under 10 seconds and has a top speed of 124mph.
Under the bonnet, is a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine that’s new to the UK market. Euro 5 compliant, this eager-to-rev engine produces 114PS of power at 6,100rpm and torque of 145Nm at 4,800rpm. The electric motor is positioned between the engine and gearbox and produces power of 14PS and boosts torque by 78.4Nm – both of which come much lower down the rev range – between 1,000 and 1,500rpm. This ‘low down torque’ improves initial acceleration and means the CR-Z bursts into action almost immediately – perfect for stop-start driving in built up areas. Together the petrol engine and electric motor generate an overall power output of 124PS at 6,100rpm and 174Nm of torque between 10001,500rpm. This is equivalent to the peak torque of a 1.8-litre Civic. The torque curve of the new hybrid is unusually flat for a naturally aspirated engine, with the peak arriving at just 1,500 rpm, enabling great flexibility at all engine speeds. The result on the road is that the CR-Z manages 0-62mph in under 10 seconds and has a top speed of 124mph.
sport
normal econ
a mode for every mood