Filed under: Coupes, Sedans/Saloons, Green, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchbacks, Honda
Honda confirms production FCX and car based on CR-Z Concept
click above image to view more pics of the Honda CR-Z Concept from Tokyo
Honda's green concepts on display in Tokyo are destined for showrooms. The automaker has officially confirmed that both the FCX and a car based on the CR-Z that was unveiled just hours ago will make the transition to production. Regarding the FCX, there won't be long to wait, as the automaker will pull the covers off tof he production-spec car at next month's LA Auto Show, with sales to commence sometime in 2008. In 2009, it'll be joined in showrooms by both a production car based on the spiffy CR-Z hybrid and a "global hybrid" family car, the latter of which which we know little about at this time. If the CR-Z makes the trip from concept to road car relatively unscathed (well, except for that aardvark-like schnoz) and lives up to its mission statement of ecologically responsible performance, both green car and sport compact fans should have something to look forward to a couple of years down the line.
[Source: Honda, lead photo by TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/Getty]
Gallery: Honda CR-Z Concept
All live photos ©2007 Damon Lavrinc / Weblogs, Inc.
PRESS RELEASE:
NEXT GENERATION 'GREEN' CARS CONFIRMED FOR PRODUCTION
Honda has confirmed plans to bring its most exciting 'green' cars into production. The FCX hydrogen fuel cell car and a lightweight, hybrid sportscar will both be built – with a production version of the FCX making its debut next month.
Speaking today, Honda's President and CEO, Takeo Fukui, announced plans to unveil a production version of the FCX Concept at the LA Show in November. The car will then go on sale in the US and Japan during 2008.
Honda also revealed that a car based on its CR-Z Concept – a compact, lightweight sportscar powered by a hybrid powertrain – would also enter production. This stylish coupe will join Honda's forthcoming 'global hybrid' family car, which is due to launch in 2009.
The announcements mark the beginning of the next generation of environmentally-friendlier vehicles, with both cars boasting sleek, sporty designs likely to appeal to a broader audience.
"Hybrids have always been seen as niche products, and hybrid car design has mostly been based around practicality and versatility," says John Kingston, Environment Manager at Honda (UK). "The CR-Z Concept looks stunning, and shows that green cars can be sexy and exciting – but also minimise environmental impact.
"The fact that we will be producing cars like this – and the global hybrid – proves that hybrid cars are becoming key volume products within our range. All of this means that Honda will be selling over 1/4 million hybrids a year by 2009."
The CR-Z Concept follows in the tyre prints of the Honda Remix Concept (seen at the LA Show last year), and the Small Hybrid Sports Concept (debuted at Geneva in March) all of which explore the potential of a compact sportscar that's exciting to drive, but has minimal impact on the environment. The launch timings for a production version of the car are yet to be announced.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dinger 4:48PM (10/24/2007)
I really like the direction that Honda is taking Audi styling.
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RG 4:48PM (10/24/2007)
I am excited to see what Honda has in store for the CR-Z concept. Everyone is getting all excited about the return of the CRX, and dreaming of 240-hp CR-Z's running around.
Unfortunately I think those people are going to be disappointed. The CRX was never about power, it was about weight, handling, and efficiency and tying them all todether to greate a very sporting package.
With a mission statement like that I think the CR-Z will be a success. I just hope that Honda keeps their sporting intentions in line because this might be the first step on the road to recovery for Honda's under-developed "sports cars."
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Davido 5:03PM (10/24/2007)
I just went from having a three minute walk to work to a 90 mile daily commute (it was either that or let my wife have the 90 mile commute). I'm shocked at what I'm now spending for gas at 2.80 gallon even though my Mazda6 gets 32 mpg highway. I can't wait for Honda, Audi, VW or GM to give me a fun to drive option with mileage in the 40's or better.
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2004m3driver 5:43PM (10/24/2007)
90 miles in traffic? if it is find a hybrid if not go diesel.
naggs 5:56PM (10/24/2007)
hybrids are lame, adding hundreds of pounds and thousands of dollars to what could have been the new crx sucks.
crz = new insight
crx = still dead as a doornail
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naggs 6:01PM (10/24/2007)
the most important part of that equation is weight and i dont see how they are going to pack 4 seats and a hybrid powertrain into a car that is light enough to be a (spritual) successor to the crx
2200 lbs and 120 hp = awesome fun
2600 lbs and 150 hp = boring economy car
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Lemmiwinks 6:17PM (10/24/2007)
Did I miss something or is the FCX no longer a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle?
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harma41 7:41PM (10/24/2007)
Looks like a next generation RSX/Integra.
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RockStoneSteel 11:00PM (10/24/2007)
I definitely like that CRZ concept, but I hope they do something about those large rear quarter blind spots in the concept. Also, I hope it isn't like the current Honda's with the massive center console down to the firewall that pushes the driver's feet together and outboard. I would buy a Civic coupe today if it weren't for that wide center console eating into the side leg room and foot room.
The true secret to success will be keeping it an inexpensive, yet premium small car. This means no lame torsion beam suspension. It also needs to remain a 2 door coupe and not even pretend to be the family hauler with 4 tiny doors.
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ek 11:23PM (10/24/2007)
aardvark-like schnoz! Ha! Thank you! No need for my own snide remarks then. You guys got it covered. Here's hoping they take it in the right direction.
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Vincenzo 4:25AM (10/25/2007)
Who is the designer of this masterpiece?
I feel the hand of Ken Okuyama who had created Honda NSX and then designed Pininfarina Maserati Birdcage, which had a noze and tinted glass in the rear.
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macbrun 10:10AM (10/25/2007)
I had a 1986 CRX Si. Light, quick, fun... sweet. I LOVED that car. Under 1900 pounds, only about 92 hp, but SO DAMN MUCH FUN!
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jim hanna 6:44PM (6/18/2008)
Great design! With the price of gas going through the roof it'll be a winner. East Liberty plant would be the perfect production plant to build it since they're losing the Civic. Since the Accord, TL, Element,and truck sales are down, Honda needs another winner and I think this would do it! Don't drag your feet on this one.
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