Honda’s been working on an exciting new two-seat hybrid car that will be hitting the road in the very near future.
Set to go on sale this summer, the 2011 Honda CR-Z will inject some sportiness into the hybrid car scene, with sleek styling and agile handling, while reminding seasoned Honda fans of the Japanese brand’s former CR-X.
“The CR-Z is a personal sport hybrid coupe for drivers with a spirit of adventure, as well as an elevated sense of responsibility toward the environment,” Jerry Chenkin, executive vice-president of Honda Canada Inc., said. “CR-Z is the first gasoline-electric hybrid car designed to maximize style and fun, in addition to fuel efficiency.”
Though the CR-Z is engineered to be light and aerodynamic, its mechanical and electric heart plays the leading role in high fuel efficiency. All CR-Z models will get a 1.5 liter i-VTEC four-cylinder engine mated to the brand’s IMA hybrid-electric drive system. By combining the small gas engine with an electric motor system, the CR-Z’s powerplant delivers output on par with a larger engine, while consuming fuel at a significantly reduced rate.
In effect, the electric system bolsters the power of the small gas engine, and the gas engine recharges the batteries that power the electric system via a built in generator.
Electricity for the electric motor is stored in an on-board battery pack, and the CR-Z can even turn its gas engine off when the vehicle comes to a stop, eliminating wasteful idling. Ultimately, system output is rated at 122 horsepower, and combined fuel economy ratings are estimated between 5.3L and 6L/100km.
To help the CR-Z connect with an enthusiast shopper, a six-speed manual transmission will be standard equipment. Also on board will be a 360-watt stereo, Bluetooth integration, automatic xenon lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and plenty more.
source: northernlife.ca
