Tokyo 2007 Preview: Honda showing CR-Z Concept
by Damon Lavrinc on Oct 9th 2007 at 2:15AM 
click above image for 15 high-rez pics of the Honda CR-Z Concept
Honda will have 18 different vehicles gracing its stand in Tokyo, and one of the more accessible is the CR-Z Concept. The pseudo-acronym is an obvious play on the Godfather of the sport compact movement during the late 80s, the glass-hatched CRX, but Honda insists that it stands for "Compact Renaissance Zero." Fine by us, as we've been looking fondly on the past when it comes to the automaker's small-sized offerings.
The CR-Z finds it inspiration with a balance of entertaining driving dynamics and a hybrid power train that fuses lightweight chuckability with a clear environmental conscience. And it's doable to, as the hybrid power train sounds as if it's the same one found in the Honda Civic Hybrid.
The exterior styling is some of the more dynamic and attractive we've seen come out of Honda's design department in recent memory, eschewing the bulbous and boring with more aggression and vitality. The oversized grille and raked hood are mildly reminiscent of a fully formed Se7en, and the upkicked swage line tapers into powerful rear haunches, ending with tube-shaped tail lamps.
Inside, Honda was shooting for an airy atmosphere that marries high-tech with high-style, something that seems to have been handily achieved.
We're looking forward to seeing the CR-Z in person when it debuts less than two-weeks from now, and if the concept is as handsome in person as it is in the pics, we hope that it'll reach dealers sometime after the turn of the decade.
[Source: Honda]
Gallery: Honda CR-Z Concept
PRESS RELEASE:
Honda Announces Automobiles to be Displayed at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show 2007
TOKYO, Japan, October 9, 2007–Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that it will exhibit production and concept automobiles and a number of technologies at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show (sponsored byJapan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc.), to be held from Saturday, October 27 to Sunday, November 11, 2007, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan.
The theme for Honda's automobile booth for this year is: "For the endless joy of mobility on our earth". Based on this theme, Honda will display a variety of advanced environmental technologies that address environmental issues such as a reduction in CO2 emissions, together with the fun of mobility.
Two concept models will make their world premiere at the motor show. The CR-Z is a next-generation lightweight sports car equipped with Honda's original gas-electric hybrid system which achieves both clean performance and a high level of torque. The PUYO is a fuel cell vehicle which was designed based on out-of-box thinking to provide fun for both the vehicle owner and people around them as well. Also on display will be a model of the i-DTEC next-generation diesel engine, first announced in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show, which delivers both outstanding environmental performance and engine performance characteristics.
Moreover, the all-new Fit, which will go on sale in Japan in late October, will be on display. Since it was first introduced in 2001, the Fit has been widely acclaimed for its style, functionality, and outstanding fuel economy, with worldwide sales topping two million units. The all-new Inspire equipped with a new Variable Cylinder Management system, scheduled to go on sale in Japan later this year, will also be on display. Honda will exhibit a total of 18 vehicles representing 11 different models, including vehicles already on the market, those soon to be introduced, and future concept models.
In addition, a "Next Energy" display will showcase Honda's latest initiatives in new energy development, including technology for producing bio-ethanol from rice straw and the environmentally responsible next-generation thin-film solar cells, which will go on sale nationwide in Japan. Moreover, Honda's F1 and other racing machines that symbolize the challenge to realize new dreams and other advanced environmental technologies that enable people to enjoy mobility into the future will also be on display. Through these exhibits, Honda will propose a new direction for the future of mobility.
CR-Z
'CR-Z' stands for '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.
Exterior design
Designed to be 'Futuristic and Dynamic', the CR-Z combines powerful performance in a compact form with a futuristic image. For its frontal view, an over-sized grill with a high-performance look is offset by openings on each side that lighten the overall feel. In the rear, tube-shaped rear combination lamps ensure better rearward visibility. Design details emphasizing the CR-Z's advanced image include door mirrors that provide high visibility in a stylish form, LED headlights patterned after luminous bodies to convey a sharp impression, and jauntyfin-shaped
Interior design
The key words for the CR-Z's interior design are 'Hi-tech and Sporty'. The goal was to create an all-new sporty interior that fuses the liberating feel of airy spaciousness with an advanced interface that brings out the fun of the drive. Mesh material on a simple framework construction is used throughout the interior to convey a light, sophisticated image without being oppressive. In the cockpit, the meter unit conveys the image of advanced technology ensconced in a piece of glass artwork, offering the functionality of immediate recognition while enhancing the driving experience with a futuristic and exhilarating feeling.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Bill Blatz 2:35AM (10/09/2007)
1) 2009 model. This is what autoblog-green said in June, iirc.
This is the hybrid, smaller than civic, less costly...and rumors of more MPG than a Prius.
Some version should be out before, or in, 2009.
Unless all these stories are incorrect, which, hearing about this since 2006....should not be?
2) Keep msrp under 20K, and make this thing large enough( maybe Hyundai Accent SE sized, their 3 door hatch,that does look like a updated CRX), I'll definitely consider one... it will be one of 3 vehicles, for sure, on the list of what to buy(unless your predictions of 2010 or later somehow are true, but with diesels, etc, liek VW Jetta and 50+ mpg coming out, they probably aren't goning to wait very much longer to launch something akin to this thing).
Hope when your report comes out in 2 weeks, it has info on a possible launch date( hoping Honda says 08-09,when I need to buy again).
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Brad 3:09AM (10/09/2007)
Screw econo car... SH-AWD with selectable front/rear torque distribution and a Turbocharged K24
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Ducky 11:55AM (10/09/2007)
Uh... you willing to pay for that, in a base Honda? You're describing what sounds like the next TSX Type-S
rv 12:23PM (10/09/2007)
And probably less torque than a Prius - lets hope its drivable on freeways, unlike the McFit. Wanting to keep up with the flow of traffic has been one of the main reasons I've avoided McHonda. Try driving a McCivic some time - funny stuff.
Snark 12:44PM (10/09/2007)
Clearly, RV here has never driven a Fit. (Oh, and your bias is showing, nitwit - "McFit"? You never gave it a chance to begin with, you just dismissed it like the underage brand-whore you so clearly are.) The Fit is entirely capable of comfortably cruising at 75mph for long distances, handles and rides comfortably at highway speed, can jaunt up to 90 with minimal complaint, and it's quiet.
How do I know? My girlfriend drives one. I've driven it, unlike you. I've driven it, furthermore, from St. George, UT to Denver, CO in a day, and I found it capable and comfortable even on Vail Pass and on the long badland stretches of I-70. Is it a better highway cruiser than a big floaty Camry or Accord? No, but it's certainly not the joke the internet told you it is. Grow up.
1231234 10:04PM (10/16/2007)
All you who have an affection for loppy western designs listen up. Every nations have their uglies but your constant baggering of other cultural design is plain ignorance. Admit it, some cultures excel at balancing proportionality with complexity. Your sense of aesthetics is retarded. You were raised from childhood to think messy lines and ill-proportionality is something cool. Your designs are sporadic without any restraint or discipline. Constantly meshing jagged lines without the right proportion of soft lines evident in those deformed looking lambos. It's not just cars it's animation and every other gadget out there.
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akatsuki 8:18AM (10/09/2007)
I saw it and thought Audi R8 front and Honda CRX back. This is hardly proportional looking regardless of culture.
tenfifteen 8:15AM (10/09/2007)
To whom is this directed? I was raised on a steady diet of soccer and Hostess cupcakes. Oh, and my dad's '59 Jag XK150 fixed head. What an ugly, Western car. :\
Those who think western designs are 'loppy' are likewise ignorant and painting with a very broad brush. F430, 911, C7 Corvette, Ford GT40/GT, etc. These are all Western cars. To infer that people who appreciate these cars lack some sort of design acumen is sophistry at best, and JDM-fanboi stupidity at worst.
PS: As long as we're being pedantic, it's 'badgering.'
e_man 8:37AM (10/09/2007)
1231234,
To think that "balancing proportionality with complexity" with what you call "restraint or discipline" were to actually exist, i think we'd be surrounded by some very mundane and rather uninteresting forms of visual expression.
bill 10:33AM (10/09/2007)
Meshing jagged lines with soft lines is not all bad. Stealth bombers have been quite a hit on the world stage.
autohobby 4:09PM (10/09/2007)
"Admit it; some cultures excel at balancing proportionality with complexity. Your sense of aesthetics is retarded."
Now if you are a good socialist, you will agree with the above. Socialists and Puritans have 100% knowledge of what is right. It's what they say it is.
Our world is enhanced little by the conformists above and enhanced a great deal by the individuals who step out of the boundaries of accepted esthetics and create whole new realms of design.
If you hate the western world, do us all a favor and go east, young man. America was made for oddballs, misfits, and people who choose to be free of intellectual tyranny.
PS. I have liked the looks of only one Honda ever. It was the CR-X. This CR-Z has a shot at becoming the second even though the front end has a junior sized RX-8 flavor.
ugg.tryptophan 5:58PM (10/09/2007)
Your scaring the children!
JasonK 4:29AM (10/09/2007)
Quattroporte much?
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chad.dawkins 4:52PM (10/09/2007)
Hah, same thing I thought.
Danear 11:03AM (10/09/2007)
I love everything from the rear tires forward. The taillights need some work though. I Guess I know what concept-to-production vehicle I'll be praying for over the next year.
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94 taurus owner 6:24AM (10/10/2007)
This is nice,has a crx and insight thing going on.
Price it under 18k and I would consider.
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94 taurus owner 6:23AM (10/10/2007)
This is nice,has a crx and insight thing going on.
Price it under 18k and I would consider.
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94 taurus owner 6:23AM (10/10/2007)
This is nice,has a crx and insight thing going on.
Price it under 18k and I would consider.
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LBuzzer 7:55AM (10/09/2007)
Wow!
Is this the same Honda that foisted that monstrosity called the Accord on us?
Fine, there's a bit of Kabura, and the grille lower edge is just a tad too low, and the centre console is a Volvo's on meth, but I dig it. Keep it cheap, please!!!
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DelayedZ 8:08AM (10/09/2007)
I think it looks like snoopy, thus I dub thee, the snoopy concept!
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