Honda CR-Z matches Prius

Want to save the planet while having fun? Honda’s all-new hybrid sports car, the CR-Z, promises to deliver on both fronts – driving enjoyment and low emission output – while doing it in style and with five-star safety to boot.

Launched to the Australian media this week, the new Honda CR-Z is powered by a 91kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine augmented by an electric motor. The new coupe will be priced from $34,990 for the Honda CR-Z Sport manual, rising to $37,290 with the CVT option and $40,790 for the CR-Z Luxury with CVT.

Paying homage to the CRX liftback of the 1980s, the new Honda CR-Z has a 2+2 seating layout. In tandem with its frugal hybrid powertrain (claimed to sip fuel at 4.7L/100km), the car’s biggest asset will be its head-turning exterior design.

Both manual (six-speed) and automatic CVT gearboxes are offered, with the Luxury models packaged exclusively with the auto. Standard features across the range include: 16-inch alloy wheels, rain sensing front wipers, climate control, cloth seat trim, six-speaker CD/MP3 stereo with USB iPod and audio device connectivity, Bluetooth telephony, LED daytime running lights, an engine immobiliser system, reverse parking sensors and cruise control.

Range-topping CR-Z Luxury models add heated leather front seats, DVD-based satellite navigation system with live traffic updates and Bluetooth audio streaming and a European-style panoramic glass roof.

The Luxury model deletes the rear parking sensors, adding a reversing camera instead.

Honda’s sporty hybrid coupe has been awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating, the highest safety rating attainable in Australia. To achieve the result, the CR-Z boasts numerous safety systems including six airbags, stability control, anti lock brakes and traction control.

Though not quite as frugal as the 3.9L/100km Toyota Prius, Honda says the CR-Z is not a direct competitor for the well-known Toyota, focussing on driving dynamics rather than outright efficiency. According to Honda Australia, “The chassis was an important factor in the development of the CR-Z, with driver enjoyment being a core part of the design brief.”

As such, the suspension has been tailored to suit spirited driving and though the vehicle’s peak output of 91kW/174Nm (auto models get a slightly lower torque output of 167Nm) doesn’t sound like much, it doesn't have a great deal of weight to pull – around 1155kg.

The 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine is slightly bigger than hybrid sibling Insight’s 1.3-litre unit, and when combined with an electric motor – or IMA (integrated motor assist) in Honda speak – the vehicle will sip 5.0L/100km in manual guise and 4.7L/100km in the auto, with CO2 emissions of 118g/km and 111g/km respectively.

Drivers will also have three different power delivery modes to choose from: ECON, Normal and Sport. Flipping through the modes changes steering, throttle, climate control and electric motor assistance parameters.

Adding an aggressively styled coupe to its range could be just what Honda needs to generate some excitement for the brand. The company anticipates selling 600 in the first year and dealers will commence delivering cars to local owners from December 1.

When driven in Germany we weren’t disappointed with the car, but we’ll know soon enough whether the CR-Z delivers the goods on local roads, so stay tuned for the first Australian drive impressions.

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