Honda CR-Z

[OTUA YM]

Having owned my CRX-Si since 1988.... and still loving it.
This sounds interesting.

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Article from Leftlanenews....

Honda just unveiled its CR-Z Concept at Tokyo Motor Show, but has already announced that a variation of the car will make production by 2009. The Japanese automaker failed to mention any details about the production vehicle, but did indicate that it would follow the concept's green yet sporty intentions.

Powered by a gasoline-hybrid engine, Honda says CR-Z stands for 'Compact Renaissance Zero.' However Honda explains how they ended up with the CR-Z name, the car is an obvious successor to the popular CRX hatchback of the 1980s and early 90s.

Honda calls the CR-Z a "lightweight sports car," indicating that it will have the performance to backup its sporty looks — highlighted by an over-sized grill and twin front air ducts. Honda failed to release any specific information about the show or production car, but it's believed that the CR-Z shares its powertrain with the current Civic Hybrid.

The CR-Z's interior follows the design theme of "Hi-tech and Sporty," achieved by a very futuristic instrument panel. Honda also designed the interior to seem very airy and spacious by using mesh material on a simple framework

http://images.leftlanenews.com/content/september2007/honda-crz-6.jpg

[chinsterr]

I'm loving the black roof on white cars , but I hope this stays a concept :P

[dentinger]

i like it!
it looks quick, but i dont like how small the mirrors are tho

[Kevin@nextmod]

Looks like ASS

[ptfire]

I'm sure if it goes into production they will put bigger mirrors on it.

[crazycanuck]

Maybe it's a "Hi-tech" mirror that beams electrons into your brain, and processes them as images.

[b]

Nice looking car. I would give it a test drive when replacing my 3.

[Fuman]

looks like crv + crx... maybe its the angle of the pic

[Wild Weasel]

Is there much of a market for entry-level FWD 2-seaters with permanent tops?

[OTUA YM]

Is there much of a market for entry-level FWD 2-seaters with permanent tops?

Actually, its slated to be a four seater.
Here's some more info about the CR-Z Concept....

Some elements of the CR-Z's design are easily noted between other Hondas though; for instance, the car's prominent grille is still a five-sided shape and the lower intakes on the front bumper are triangular like the European Honda Civic. The raised hood bulge and the offset headlamps help to give the car the look of something much sportier than a Civic or an Accord. Quite a few of us think that it looks a lot like the Mazda RX-8. Just like the CRX, the CR-Z is a two-door with a large glass fastback including an angled glass panel below the main deck to improve rearward visibility.

In the rear, tube-shaped rear combination lamps ensure better rearward visibility. Design details emphasizing the CR-Z's advanced image include door mirrors that provide high visibility in a stylish form, Honda further ramped up the CRZ's style by adding angular lights to door mirrors, LED headlights patterned after 'luminous bodies', and fin-shaped sub-lights. The whole look is rounded out by 19-inch wheels.

Overall, the new CR-Z is quite a bit larger than the final generation of CRX by about 30 cm (12 inches) in length and 10 cm (four inches) in width, though its height has remained constant. This has helped to give the concept car a very sleek, but planted look.

The CR-Z Concept is powered by a gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain that consists of a small three-stage gasoline engine, mated to the brand's IMA system. Because of its sporting potential, expect an engine that offers more grunt than the 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine from the Insight. A 1.4- or even 1.6-litre engine from the Honda Fit or Honda Civic combined with electrical assist should give the CR-Z peppy if not electric performance.

The interior of the CR-Z is stylish and modern, with a colour scheme that revolves around white, dark gray and purple. A quick glance around the cabin shows a different approach to the use of materials; many of the surfaces are actually made from a mesh fabric, such as the thin-format seats and the upper dashboard. However, there's a reason for the growth – the CR-Z isn't a two-seater, but is rather a four-seater with what looks to be fairly roomy rear quarters.

http://images.leftlanenews.com/content/september2007/honda-crz-1.jpg

http://images.leftlanenews.com/content/september2007/honda-crz-7.jpg

[Garu]

You know, I like the design very much. It's so futuristic.