Autoblog

Will the Honda CR-Z really appeal to the tuning crowd?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 11 May 2010 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Hatchback, Honda

2011 Honda CR-Z - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to John Mendel, executive vice president for automobile sales at American Honda, people his age (55, for what it's worth) remember the seminal CRX as a highly tunable and fun-to-drive little hatchback that happened to get excellent fuel economy. Sure, we'll go along with that. Mendel continues, though, to suggest that the Japanese automaker expects its new CR-Z hybrid hatch to sell in large numbers to those older-generation tuners. Really?

Sure, we suppose we can buy the argument that the tuning crowd will see the the car's hybrid system as more than just a means to boost fuel efficiency. After all, it does add about 20 horsepower to the car's final output. But bear in mind that the power figure we're talking about is still just 122 ponies and 128 lb-ft of torque. And that's not a lot of power to work with, though we'd imagine the six-speed manual gearbox will help extract those overworked horses.

Now that it's a decade old, the original two-seat Honda Insight has indeed earned a bit of credibility from the tuner crowd... but most of its credentials come from all-out engine swaps that allow the car's light weight and aerodynamic prowess to truly shine. We can't imagine much of that going on with this brand-new CR-Z. But what do we know? Here's hoping that Honda's upcoming sporty hybrid hatchback beats all of our lofty expectations.

Gallery: Detroit 2010: 2011 Honda CR-Z

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

Will the Honda CR-Z really appeal to the tuning crowd? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 May 2010 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2010: Honda CR-Z promises to bring driving joy to the hybrid equation

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Hybrid, Hatchback, Honda

2011 Honda CR-Z - Click above for high-res image gallery

After a few weeks worth of leaked images and brochure fluff, Honda has finally pulled the covers off its next new production hybrid hatchback. The Japanese automaker claims the CR-Z will bring back the kind of driving joy that hasn't been felt since the CRX last left dealer lots in 1991, saying that owners will embrace this new mild hybrid with both their hearts and minds. We certainly hope they're right.

While we're really digging the looks of the CR-Z and the way it hearkens back to the classic CRX and even the original Insight hybrid, we've gotta admit that we're a tad bit disappointed with the specifications. With 122 horsepower on tap and just 128 lb-ft of torque from the 1.5-liter VTEC four-cylinder with Integrated Motor Assist, shouldn't we expect more than 36 miles per gallon in the city and 38 on the highway from the CR-Z?

Let's just hope that the car's driving dynamics live up to the lofty standards to which Honda is eluding - at least there's an optional six-speed manual transmission to go along with the expected CVT automatic. We'll know soon enough know how it goes down the road, as the 2011 CR-Z is slated to hit the ground running in the summer. In the meantime, check out our live images below and click past the break for the press release.

Gallery: Detroit 2010: 2011 Honda CR-Z

Gallery: 2011 Honda CR-Z

Live photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

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Detroit 2010: Honda CR-Z promises to bring driving joy to the hybrid equation originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: Honda uses vintage iron to announce return to grassroots racing

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:20:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, SEMA Show, Classics, Performance, Honda

1974 "Tokyo Joe" Honda Civic 1200 Racecar - Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda is using SEMA to show off their 2010 vehicles and the accessories available for each. It's also using the show to signal its return to grassroots racing, displaying several vintage racers and production cars alongside their descendants. Although we're covering the entire Mugen-accessorized 2010 lineup elsewhere, we didn't want to miss a chance to talk about three little cars at the back of the booth that had us drooling.

A mint 1971 N600, with its original, yellowed window sticker shows how far we've all come. At $1,395 the N600 cost just about a-buck-a-pound and its 598 cc air-cooled two-cylinder put out just 36 hp, but that was enough to get it to 80 MPH and still return 40 MPG. The N600 was also the car that introduced Americans to Honda automobiles, and firmly established Honda's reputation for frugality and fun.

Next to the N600 sat "Tokyo Joe," the 1974 Bolus & Snopes Civic 1200 racecar that scored six SCCA GT5 championships between 1985 and 1990. It was campaigned by American Honda employee Bob Boileau and once held the title of "World's Fastest Civic" when it was clocked at 146.698 MPH on the Talladega Superspeedway back in 1976. It also looked like it might move the frugal/fun ratio for Hondas a little to the other side of the equation.

Balancing both nicely was the spotless 1984 Mugen CRX prototype. Using a host of parts developed by Mugen, the car showed the performance possibilities inherent in the CRX platform. The Mugen sported a body kit designed for high speed stability, engine mods, a thoroughly reworked suspension, and meatier (but still just) 13-inch tires. A real throwback to the early days of Honda road and racing machines.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Vintage Honda Racers

Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Honda]

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SEMA 2009: Honda uses vintage iron to announce return to grassroots racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Grassroots Motorsports' Tim Suddard picks ten future Japanese collector cars

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Japan

First generation Mazda Miata - Click above to see entire list of future Japanese Collector Cars

"Everybody wants to go to the dance, no one wants to stay and clean up." So says Robert De Niro's Sam in John Frankenheimer's spy thriller/car porno Ronin. We mention the line, because it's not only well written, but nicely sums up most people's attitudes towards classic, collector cars. Yes, we'd all love a Boss 302 Mustang or a Maserati Bora, but no one wants to pay the tens of thousands of dollars it takes to procure and maintain them. But what if in the future collector cars weren't limited to American muscle or exotic Europeans? What if relatively cheap and reliable Japanese cars came to be collectors items?

Regardless of the answer, that's the exact future that Tim Suddard, publisher of both Grassroots Motorsports and Classic Motorsports, is predicting. In fact, here's what he has to say about it:

Right now Japanese cars are generally overlooked by the collector car world, but we expect that to change. A generation that grew up on Hondas, Datsuns and Mazdas is coming of age where they're after the icons of their youth. Where previous enthusiasts paid big money for the Mopars, Chevelles and GTOs that they couldn't afford when teens, we expect the same happen soon with milestone Japanese cars.

Which, if what Suddard is saying is true, means that both demand and price should increase. Which is probably... bad. Click here to see the ten cars (with captions) that Suddard claims are going to be future classics, plus our own two cents on each selection. And of course, what do you think? Also - like what you see? If you're in the Southern California area, don't miss the 2009 Japanese Classics car show this weekend

Gallery: Tim Suddard's ten most collectable Japanese cars

Grassroots Motorsports' Tim Suddard picks ten future Japanese collector cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda CRX successor coming to Tokyo?

Damon Lavrinc — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 12:34:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchback, Honda

The Scooper of Cars seems to have it on good authority that during Honda's press conference in Tokyo, the Big-H plans to take the wraps off a new compact, rumored to be a successor to the CRX.

Originally, it was thought that the Remix concept that debuted in L.A. would foretell the future of Honda's hatch revival, but due to the chilly reception afforded both it and Geneva's Sports Coupe Concept, Honda designers were sent back to their respective cubicles to hone the shape further.

We'll be on hand in Tokyo when Honda rolls out its debuts, but until then, we're still looking for a yellow 1989 model, preferably with an Si logo on the glass hatch.

[Source: Carscoop]

Honda CRX successor coming to Tokyo? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 06 Oct 2007 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New CRX won't show until 2011, but will be a hybrid

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: Green, Hatchback, Honda

Back in February we relayed some information to you about a possible new Honda CRX. Our friends over at Winding Road told us that Honda was finally admitting to developing a new CRX based on the Fit platform. The success of small, affordable, fun cars like the MINI proved the market was viable and Honda eventually gave the car the green light. Well, now comes some additional info stating that besides the green light, Honda is giving the new CRX a green powerplant. Some might recall the poor-selling, but much-loved-by-a-few Honda Insight, as well as its resemblance to the wickedly fun but economical CRX. Marrying both loved vehicles into one model makes some sense, too.

WR is reporting that its inside info says the car will definitely be a hybrid, and should emulate the styling of the original CRX rather than its successor, the Del Sol. Good news so far. The catch is that rather than seeing the car in 2009, as originally thought, it is going to debut around 2011 instead. Geneva's Small Hybrid Sports Concept and Los Angeles' Remix were seen as possible CRX design ideas, but it seems that an homage to the original is more likely. We'll probably see a concept version in Tokyo in October.

[Source: Winding Road]

New CRX won't show until 2011, but will be a hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Jul 2007 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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