Rumormill: Honda CR-Z Type-R coming to Tokyo Motor Show
by Damon Lavrinc on Feb 12th 2009 at 2:26PM 
Click above for an un-photoshopped gallery of the Honda CR-Z Concept
At the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, Honda took the wraps off the CR-Z concept, a three-door hybrid that Honda billed as a performance vehicle for the environmentally conscious enthusiast. In the meantime, Honda has confirmed that the CR-Z is headed for production and slated to arrive on European and Japanese shores in 2010, with U.S. sales likely to begin sometime in 2011.
Back in February of 2008, Honda's UK manager for product planning, Mark Turner, said development of the CR-Z was underway at Honda's R&D facility in Germany and that a strictly gasoline-powered version could make it to market if there was suitable demand. Fast-forward to today, and a new report claims Honda could be developing a CR-Z Type-R rumored to launch in Japan sometime next year.
At this point, Honda refuses to confirm or deny the existence of a Type-R version of the CR-Z, and there's plenty of speculation about what could power the new hot hatch. Honda could take a play from the Accord Hybrid and boost the stock CR-Z's gasoline-electric drivetrain, or, if Turner's mention of a gasoline-only model is to be believed, fit the CR-Z Type-R with a revised version of Honda's K20 inline-four.
Either way, expect the production version of the Honda CR-Z to debut at this year's Tokyo Motor Show and keep your fingers crossed that a Type-R variant gets some space on the stage.
Gallery: Honda CR-Z Concept
[Source: GTChannel]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Franz 2:28PM (2/12/2009)
I like this rumor.
Reply
geo.stewart 3:21PM (2/12/2009)
CR-Z vs Hyundai Scoupe/Tiburon
should be interesting.
eozzy 7:57PM (4/27/2009)
Rumor mill update: Honda corporate has put an indefininte hold on any plans to bring CRZ stateside, thus the Concept Renaissance Z will remain where it all started-in Europe-ala falling market shares and poor US projections
Alex 2:34PM (2/12/2009)
I really want to want a CR-Z Type-R but i just can't get past their engines. My buddy had a Si and it was a total hoot to snap around but you gotta keep the RPMs screaming the entire time or the car just lags. Seems like an engine better suited to the track than the road.
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Stumpy 2:38PM (2/12/2009)
I love Reving it up. Thus why my RSX type S is a blast to drive. Though I do understand different people like different things.
CR-Z type R will hopefully be a good car. I just hope they do something about this new "Honda" interiors, I don't like them at all. I liked them when they were simple.
havoc 2:51PM (2/12/2009)
i had a 10k rpm b18, with a full rebuild of lotsa go-fast parts (or at least go-faster).
that was a hoot to rev. and yes, it pulled all the way to my set limit of 9500 (8500 off the track). but with the build i had, you didn't have to wind it out to get power (or even torque). That motor in my 96 teg would still get me through the quarter under 14 secs too.
the B series should not have died.
Red 3:05PM (2/12/2009)
"Seems like an engine better suited to the track than the road."
That would be the point. Modern Si's and R's are traced specifically to the original NSX-R (the original lineage goes back before that though). Not everybody likes having to keep the revs up, but there's really no experience like it when you get it right. It's a car that rewards you with actual driving. Otherwise, to most people, it's lazy or mundane.
Rich 3:58PM (2/12/2009)
Yay for America and people who don't understand how engines work.
Rev 4:57PM (2/12/2009)
"Seems like an engine better suited to the track than the road."
You have got to be kidding me. So every other car in its class must be better suited for the Indy 500 (unless the term "lawn mower-like torque" is meant as a compliment...)...
The best things about these little VTEC engines is the economy. Period. Having a limited range of power ends up putting it at the bottom end of comparison tests every time. (Except for fuel efficiency.) And yes, without low end you have to rev the crap out of your engine for any sort of power. Losing any of the Civic's economical advantages, beating on your engine and you wind up being "that ricey guy in the econocar" buzzing the ears off anybody within earshot.
VTEC engines do not compare with anything in it's class. Read C&D's latest comparo. The thing is not on the same level as the others - maybe a Corolla S, but that's about it;
"The years have not been kind to the Civic Si."
"Some found satisfaction in rowing the gears; others found the lawn mower–like torque and the consequent need to keep the revs high something of a chore. That steering drew unanimous scorn—again. In the past, unkind words such as “video game” have been uttered in anger to describe the Si’s steering"
"The steering shortcomings put a serious damper on the fun meter, and they sap driver confidence. Combined with the lack of power, the Civic struggles to keep up with the pack. In this group, turbo power is a necessity to stay competitive. "
naggs 6:13PM (2/12/2009)
k20 weighs too much, i would rather it be a tuned version of the single cam 1.8
that engine already makes an underrated 140 hp at a reasonable rpm, could easily be tuned to 160 hp.
Jimbo 2:34PM (2/12/2009)
Is the Tokyo motor Show still in danger of getting cancelled?
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Tang 2:39PM (2/12/2009)
looks like a maserati
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Affalterbach 3:50PM (2/12/2009)
And if blessed with the K20A or the F20/F22 it could sound as good as one.
Those are the only engines worthy of being in a Type-R.
xspeedy 2:41PM (2/12/2009)
Coming to the Tokyo Motor Show, but never to America - just like the rest of the Type-R lineup. Good job Honda.
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CarbonBlack 2:59PM (2/12/2009)
I am a big Honda/Type R fan, but am always depressed when they release a JDM only model!
Affalterbach 3:46PM (2/12/2009)
Honda is the new Toyota.
Atleast in the US.
This is a shame. Many people wanted a CRX Type-R in its day.
travisty 2:45PM (2/12/2009)
Dear Honda,
Please ditch the hybrid drivetrain and offer this with a simple, lightweight gasoline engine. Focus on making the body as light as possible, and with weight reduction comes both performance and efficiency. Not everybody wants/needs 50-60mpg, some of us want a small, lightweight, fun-to-drive coupe that gets 40mpg. The fact that the (rather portly) Mini Cooper S gets 36mpg highway shows that a lot can be done for normal, gas-powered, efficent, sporty cars.
Thanks!
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RG 2:51PM (2/12/2009)
I say lets get the base CR-Z out before we start imaging about Type R versions.
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naggs 6:18PM (2/12/2009)
the cr-z is slated to be a hybrid only model
the type r will be the only one that gets a decent performance drivetrain
sad
Rod 6:16PM (2/12/2009)
it looks like an ant eater.
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