Here's the car that Honda hopes will finally make hybrids cool! This is the CR-Z – which made its world debut in production form at the Detroit Motor Show and will go on sale in the UK in the summer, priced at around £17,000.
Billed as the world's first hybrid sports car, it is powered by Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system, which is shared with the Insight. However, the CR-Z gets a larger, 1.5-litre engine with 102bhp and a 20bhp electric motor. Together the system produces 122bhp and 174Nm of torque.
The engine drives the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. It emits 117g/km of CO2, returns 56.4mpg and does 0-60mph in around nine seconds.
The styling mixes cues from the Civic with those of the Insight and although the sharpness of the production model has been toned down compared to the original concept car, it still stands out. Inside, the cabin borrows further themes from the Insight, with a dashboard that glows blue.
What's more, drivers can choose from three driving modes which change throttle response, steering, idle stop timing, climate control and the IMA’s assistance.
Underneath the skin is a shortened version of the Insight’s platform with a wider chassis and a shorter wheelbase. Honda says the 2+2 layout means there's room in the back for children or small adults. Unique spring and damper settings also feature, in an attempt to make the CR-Z as sporty to drive as possible.
A high performance Mugen version is expected to go on sale in 2011.
