Autoblog

SEMA 2010: Bisimoto Honda CR-Z is a 533-horsepower madhouse

Zach Bowman — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 08:39:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Hybrid, Hatchback, Honda

Bisimoto Honda CR-Z Hybrid - Click above for a high-res image gallery

The team from Bisimoto has taken to curing the Honda CR-Z hybrid of its anemia by prescribing massive doses of forced induction. The stock 1.5-liter four-cylinder was extracted and rebuilt using Arias pistons and a Bisimoto valvetrain, but the star of the show is that massive billet Turbonetics turbo. It shoves ample amounts of air through a 70-millimeter custom throttle body at a rate that has to rival most jet engines. The whole kit and caboodle is good for a staggering 533 horsepower, which helps explain why a car that started life with a 0-60 mph time of 10 seconds now requires a parachute to reduce its inertia.

Is this proof positive that the CR-Z has the kind of tunability that made the CRX legendary, or simply an example of cash conquering all handicaps? Decide for yourself as you scroll through our high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: SEMA 2010: Bisimoto Honda CR-Z

SEMA 2010: Bisimoto Honda CR-Z is a 533-horsepower madhouse originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 08:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2010: Honda brings a surplus of custom CR-Zs

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 04:02:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Hybrid, Hatchback, Honda

Custom 2011 Honda CR-Zs at the 2010 SEMA Show - Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda has a grand total of 12 different CR-Zs on display at this year's SEMA show. In addition to the Mugen and Hybrid R we showed you earlier, the Japanese automaker has created the CR-Z with Genuine Honda Accessories and HPD CR-Z Racer, and eight other companies have put their spins on the compact hybrid hatch.

Big name companies like Bisimoto Engineering, DSO Eyewear, Eibach Springs, Fortune Motorsports and Konig Wheels have created their own one-off CR-Zs, accounting for a little less than half of Honda's overall showing. Two special project CR-Zs are on hand, as well, done up by the folks from Honda Tuning Magazine and the Los Angeles Auto Show.

See the full lot of CR-Zs for yourself in the gallery below, and hit the jump for Honda's official press release.

Gallery: SEMA 2010: Custom Honda CR-Zs

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading SEMA 2010: Honda brings a surplus of custom CR-Zs

SEMA 2010: Honda brings a surplus of custom CR-Zs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 04:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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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Honda in the black, fourth quarter profits up by 28%

Zach Bowman — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Japan, Honda, Earnings/Financials

Honda has officially joined the ranks of automakers like Kia and Ford by posting solid profits during the fourth quarter of the company's fiscal year. The Japanese automaker managed to see profits rise by 28 percent compared to the same period last year, thanks largely to increased hybrid sales. The announcement marks the fourth-straight quarter of profits for the company after seeing a rare operating loss at the end of March, 2009.

Sales in Japan have been bolstered by sales of the incredibly popular CR-Z Hybrid. Earlier this month, Honda announced that it had received over 7,000 orders for the two-door hatchback, which accounted for over half of the models the company had set aside for sale in its home market.

Honda also attributed its quick recovery to the fact that its lineup is comprised mostly of fuel-efficient vehicles - something buyers in a global recession have been quick to appreciate. Analysts also point to a healthy dose of cost-cutting measures as bearing credit for the rebound, too. Based on the good news, the carmaker hopes to see its growth continue through the rest of 2010.

[Sources: Honda, Mainichi Daily News | Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty]

Honda in the black, fourth quarter profits up by 28% originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: Honda releases boatload of new CR-Z shots... in Europe

Zach Bowman — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Hybrid, Hatchback, Honda

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

Honda has officially flooded the interwebs with a wave of photos of the Euro-spec CR-Z Hybrid. Surprisingly enough, our cousins across The Pond will be able to get their hatchback hybrid as a 2+2 like their JDM counterparts, meaning the car will have two small back seats just for children, briefcases or other cargo. When not in use, the rear thrones fold down to make room for your most recent Ikea purchase.

Other than those rear seats, the car doesn't appear to differ significantly from the version we'll see Stateside. Power still comes from a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a small electric motor with around 122 horses combined and 124 lb-ft of torque.

The European CR-Z will also feature the same three-mode efficiency system we're likely to see in our version. Drivers will be able to choose between Sport, Normal and Economy modes, all accessible via the push of a button. Each will offer different levels of electric motor assist and will also monkey around with the electric power-steering to provide a different driving feel depending on the mode. Hit the jump for the full press release, and wade through the massive gallery of high-res images below.

Gallery: Honda CR-Z Europe

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Pics Aplenty: Honda releases boatload of new CR-Z shots... in Europe

Pics Aplenty: Honda releases boatload of new CR-Z shots... in Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Honda CR-Z ad gets crazy with the fog machine

Chris Shunk — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Honda

Click above to watch the video after the jump

There has been plenty of debate about the Honda CR-Z around the Autoblog water cooler. Does Honda's sport-inspired mild hybrid have the style, power (122 horsepower), sales appeal and fuel economy numbers (36 miles per gallon city, 38 highway) to make it a legitimate successor to the CRX? We'll have to drive the CR-Z to get the answer to most of our questions, and we'll have to wait for a few months after launch to see whether car buyers will welcome the mild little hybrid with open arms (and wallets).

One thing we do know for sure, though, is that the post-jump European Honda CR-Z promo has too much fog, too many lasers and way too many 1990s-style effects to be cool. That said, it beats the heck out of those bizarre-looking animated jazz videos used to market the Accord Crosstour. Hit the jump to watch the video for yourself and to check out the official press release.

Gallery: Detroit 2010: 2011 Honda CR-Z

[Source: Gaucho Productions via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Honda CR-Z ad gets crazy with the fog machine

Video: Honda CR-Z ad gets crazy with the fog machine originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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