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Another leaked brochure shows Honda CR-Z by Mugen

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Hybrid, Japan, Hatchback, Honda

Honda CR-Z by Mugen - Click above for image gallery

With yesterday's leaked brochure of the production version of the 2011 Honda CR-Z, a Temple of VTEC member wasted no time uploading what could be the first Mugen variant of Honda's new hybrid hatch.

Details on the mods are minimal, but the tuner appears to be working on a dress-up package that includes a new front bumper/splitter, side skirts, rear bumper and wing. Naturally, a new set of wheels are part of the package -- what appears to be a set of 17-inch, seven spoke hoops, likely shod in stickier rubber.

Given Mugen's strong ties to Honda, expect the full kit to be available through dealers in Japan when the CR-Z goes on sale early next year.

Gallery: Honda CR-Z by Mugen Brochure

[Source: TOV]

Another leaked brochure shows Honda CR-Z by Mugen originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda CR-Z brochure leaks out, production specs revealed

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Japan, Hatchback, Honda

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

The variable valve-timing obsessives at the Temple of VTEC have scored a leaked brochure of the 2011 Honda CR-Z, and in addition to getting a glimpse of the production version of the hybrid hatch, some specs and trim details were included in the document.

We finally have hard figures on the 1.5-liter engine's output (in JDM spec), with the diminutive four-cylinder putting out 112 horsepower (at 6,000 rpm) on its own and another 14 hp from its electric motor. Just as importantly, the engine creates 107 lb-ft of torque (at 4,800 rpm) with the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system boosting that by another 57 lb-ft at an oh-so-low 1,000 rpm. Coupled with either a six-speed manual or CVT gearbox, the CR-Z nets a relatively uninspiring 0 to 62 mph time of 9.7 seconds.

The dimensions haven't changed much from the "concept" we saw at the Tokyo Motor Show earlier this year, with a 160.6-inch overall length, 68.5-inch width, 54.9-inch height and a wheelbase that spans 95.9 inches. Unfortunately, no word on curb weight.

Since efficiency is the name of the game, the CR-Z will benefit from LED daytime running lights and turn signal indicators in the mirrors, along with three driving modes - Eco, Normal and Sport - each controllable from a dash mounted switch and with a different color surrounding the gauges based on the mode.

Check out the pics in the gallery below for more and get the full story in our CR-Z post from Tokyo.

Gallery: 2011 Honda CR-Z Brochure

[Source: Temple of VTEC]

Honda CR-Z brochure leaks out, production specs revealed originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mugen reportedly considering tuning Honda CR-Z

Noah Joseph — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Hybrid, Performance, Hatchback, Honda

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

While the idea of a performance-tuned hybrid may have seemed nonsensical only a couple of years ago, as the earth-friendly vehicles become more mainstream, the sub-segment will undoubtedly grow to attract a fair share of our attention. Case in point: reports from overseas indicate that Mugen is seriously toying with the idea of creating a high-performance version of the upcoming Honda CR-Z.

The Honda tuner par excellence shares a close, even familial relationship with the factory, and it reportedly sees the electric motor in the hybrid drive as a sort of replacement for a turbocharger, offering a bit of low-end boost to small gasoline engines that are down on torque. The result could redefine the Japanese hot hatch as we know it.

Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Honda CR-Z concept

[Source: Autocar]

Mugen reportedly considering tuning Honda CR-Z originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo Preview: Near-production Honda CR-Z "Concept" unveiled

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:19:00 EST

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

2009 Honda CR-Z Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

One of the most highly-anticipated new model releases scheduled to debut at next month's Tokyo Motor Show would have to be the production version of Honda's CR-Z hybrid hatchback. That's not happening. Instead, we're getting a concept version of the production car. First unveiled at the Tokyo show back in 2007 in pure concept form, the sporty two-passenger CR-Z is slated for production early next year in Japan. We expect the CR-Z to hit the States sometime thereafter.

Underhood will be a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to Honda's proprietary Integrated Motor Assist technology. Also on the menu will be a six-speed manual gearbox that will surely be a more entertaining partner for driving enthusiasts than the CVT used in the Insight hatchback.

While Honda is still calling the Tokyo-bound 2009 version of the CR-Z a concept, it's clearly one of those concept-in-name-only deals. Don't expect the attractive sheetmetal to be altered before the car hits the showroom floor, and that interior is pretty much the same one you'll be able to sample in 2010. That's fine by us - the car's wedge-shaped lines are very attractive and call to mind the seminal CRX from the early 1980s, though with a modern flavor reminiscent of the current Insight. See for yourselves in our gallery below.

Gallery: 2009 Honda CR-Z Concept

[Source: Honda]

Tokyo Preview: Near-production Honda CR-Z "Concept" unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Honda CR-Z Type-R coming to Tokyo Motor Show

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:26:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchback, Honda, Rumormill

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]

Rumormill: Honda CR-Z Type-R coming to Tokyo Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo 2007 Preview: Honda showing CR-Z Concept

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 02:15:00 EST

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

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

Continue reading Tokyo 2007 Preview: Honda showing CR-Z Concept

Tokyo 2007 Preview: Honda showing CR-Z Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Oct 2007 02:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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