HERE’S your chance to have a sports car and not pay the earth – at least in fuel and emissions.
At the Detroit Show in America, Honda unveiled its new CR-Z, billed as the world’s first hybrid sports car. Expect a summer on-sale date in the UK.
The new Honda CR-Z is powered by a modified version of the hybrid IMA system from the Honda Insight: a 1.5-litre petrol engine and a 14PS electric motor to boost performance.
Honda says the funky looking CR-Z 2+2 revives the spirit of the early-90s CRX coupe and brings dynamic, fun-to-drive qualities that have never been offered before on hybrid vehicles. It also offers excellent economy with a claimed combined fuel consumption of 56.4mpg and 117g/km CO2 emissions.
That means the new Honda CR-Z coupe will have a company car tax band rating of just 10%.
Three settings allow the driver to prime the powertrain for sporty or economical driving, while a performance-biased chassis set-up and relatively light kerbweight of 1198kg should ensure the CR-Z is a nimble drive.
A European version of the hybrid coupe is due to make its debut at the Geneva motor show in March
Honda sources suggest prices will start from £18,000.
Honda CR-Z hybrid sports coupe
- World’s first 6-speed manual hybrid car
- 1.5 litre i-VTEC engine coupled to Honda IMA hybrid system
- Power 124PS
- Torque 174Nm
- CO2 emissions 117g/km
- Fuel economy 56.4mpg
- Benefit-in-kind company car tax 10%
- 3-Mode Drive System to tailor steering, throttle response and IMA assistance as required
- Flexible 2+2 seating arrangement
Photo credit: Headlineauto
