Honda CR-z Performance Hybrid
 

What do you think of this car?

2011 Honda CR-Z - Performance - Official Honda Site
http://automobiles.honda.com/images/...nce-header.jpg

What if you removed the weight of the hybrid system (battery, motor, controllers, etc)? How far off would the performance be? Are these car companies making cars solely to meet tax brake criteria written by some clueless douche elected by the collective group of clueless. I would have to say that if you go rid of the crap that doesn't belong on a performance car, the little 1.5 probably has enough power to provide just as much excitement.

You hit my points exactly.

The real problem with this car is that the electric motor does not produce enough torque to make it exciting!

What if it could put out an extra 150lbs of torque when needed? That would mean some neck snapping power that us performance starved hybrid drivers are looking for.

Of course, I understand that power would only last for a brief amount of time... but still!:thumbup:

Most car reviewers would disagree with you (keep in mind people that have actually DRIVEN the car). It also handles great according to reviews I've seen.

The 1.5 surely has more than enough power, but it is marketed as a sporty car. The benefit of the hybrid addition (which really doesn't add much weight at all, you're talking less than 200 lbs) is a big increase in low rpm torque which gives you sportyness and regenerative braking. The car also gets pretty good mileage.

IMO its very nice. If I was looking for a two seater, this would definitely be in the running. So what if the specs don't look amazing, go drive one.

...it's all about the mathematics -- splitting its "functions" (ie: 50% sporty and 50% eco), then neither is 100% of what it's touted to be.

...although, I will give Honda *credit* for being bold enough to explore the "sporty Eco" market!

I was hopeful it would deliver high fuel economy, but it's just a sporty car. I don't care about it.

Well, actually, I hope it catches on, because it is smaller and much less thirsty than its competition (other sporty cars, not other hybrids).

Just think four or five years down the road when they start to show up here as ecomodding cars. Maybe we can try the pull the batteries and electric motor and see what the 1.5 will do. Or get a 1.2 or 1.3 liter from Europe Hondas. I'm sure the ricing crowd will figure out how to push it to its sporty limits. A few of us here can figure out how to push it to its eco limits.

...ie: "seed" vehicles for the next generation of DIY ecomodders!

Yeah, but since it is a hybrid it will likely never drop low enough in price to just treat like a toy.

Remember the Honda Insight? That car is selling for over $25K now on Ebay! :eek:

http://www.mixedpower.com/wp-content...da_insight.jpg

EDIT:

WOW.. Does anyone else see the similarities?

Why didn't they cover the rear fenders?

rgathright -

That's OUR job, ;) .

CarloSW2

I guess it would be to much to ask for a plug-in model...

I have 450 Watts of solar panels, a 2Kw Pro sine inverter and the battery capacity in my yard with nothing to use it on... UGH!

You can build a charger for its battery. Too bad it's only 0.5KWh or so, half as much as my car. Of course, there are ways to upgrade capacity, too. You may as well put *something* where the rear seats would normally go.

That's what attracts me to these mini hatchback cars... roomy backseats!

I have been searching all day for 0-60 times... on Google

Anyone else have better luck?

0-60 in 8.3?
2011 Honda CR-Z Performance - Motor Trend

It is neither sporty nor eco (at least for what we expect of a hybrid). Why not actually make a super light car, aero, with 120-140hp. The efficiency that could be had with a turbo motor, good gearing, a light weight would make us happy, and the sportiness would meet some others' wants. More so than this machine. I guess it is just not for me.

Honda CR-z getting 0-60 in 8.3 seconds does not sound very fun to me either.

Darn it!

IMHO, it's dead sexy and the price is right for the college student, so I suspect they've hit on a winner, despite its shortfalls in both the power and hypermileage department. It's 100% better looking than a Prius and it gets a heck of a lot better mileage than an RSX or Civic SI.

Oh really?

Convince me with a low price... does it come with leather? That is the only element that would get my gf's in a nerd car. No one wants to ride in Prius for sure! :cool:

This is all I could when Googling on this subject... Its a Honda LOL!
http://www.greenguysmedia.com/storag...=1253144568453

...but the window sticker plainly states: "...scantly-clad car washers not included."

...darn!

Hello -

They officially exist (to me, anyway). I saw one last week :

http://ecomodder.com/forum/member-cf...2463-crz-2.jpg

http://ecomodder.com/forum/member-cf...2462-crz-1.jpg

It's looks are growing on me (like a cyst?).

CarloSW2

Every review that I have read of the car states that this car is a massive fail - neither sporty npor fuel efficient.
I had high hopes for it though.

Anyone notice the actual size of of the quarter panel glass on the car ?
That is one huge blind spot !

Love the look of it . I wonder what the Cd actually is. My guess would be around .32 or worse. There are a lot of rounded edges on the rear of the car.

The styling is dead on for my tastes, the power is good, but not enough to be classified as a sports car, and the mileage is good in comparison with many similar cars like the newer Civics.

My RSX-S has 200hp @ 7400 rpm w/ 142 ft.lb. torque @ 6000 rpm and it's definitely a sportcar.

The CR-Z has 122hp @ 6000 rpm + 13hp (electric assist) w/ 128 ft.lb. torque @ 1750 rpm + 58 ft.lb. torque @ 1000 rpm (electric assist). It's obviously comparing apples to oranges, but 0-60 in 7.7 vs. 9.7 is where the rubber hits the road and while it's faster than a Civic EX, it's not a sportscar.

Then there's the delema of the mileage. It's not in the class of the hybrids like the Prius or Insight, but there's few cars out there that get better than 35mpg right now, so it's better than most, even better than a lot of compacts.

It's a compromise and at under $20k, it's in the right price range for a compromise. If they priced it where the RSX was, around $26k, they'd never sell them, but they're at a good price point for the 20-30 year olds who are looking to get their first adult car and are planning on financing for the next five years.

On the down side, if you read the reviews on Yahoo! Autos, the hybrid Civics get lambasted for reliability and ownership expense. Honda has always considered themselved an engine company, not a car company. While it seems that Toyota has the hybrid technology perfected, I think Honda is lagging behind and still has some issues to work through. IMHO, they make the best gasoline engines on the planet, but when it comes to overall product execution, they have some blindspots and this car just might fit into one of those. They should probably stick to their successes and build off of that; highly fuel efficient, light weight, economical cars that last for years with minimal maintenance and care.

...when will Honda put a turbo on their "Z" car to make both HP and MPG?

All the reviews I've seen that say its horrible the reviewers haven't driven it (I admit I haven't read a ton). The ones that have driven it like it.

Horrible fuel economy, would rather have fun pootling in a 3L Lupo.

I really like the looks of the car but I came to the same conclusion as others(you cant have both performance and frugality). Heck I would be okay with the stock motor without the hybrid crap if the car weighed 1800lbs!

I just saw my first new Insight today. I'd only seen pictures up to now and that didn't give a sense of scale for it. Frankly, I was shocked. The thing is huge. A lot better looking than I'd expected, too. Given the mpg and the sub-$19k sticker, I think it'll do well. It seems more cross-over sized than compact, so it might draw a much larger audience than the original Insight.

I was listening to the Go Hypermiling podcast from a few months ago and their test of the new CR-Z resulted in 60-65mpg! Granted, they're pretty extreme drivers, but they said even an average Joe who just drives the speed limit should have no problem getting it into the 50s. If that turns out to be true, given the styling, price, and cost, Honda just might end up having a winner on their hands, despite the nay-sayers. I'd love to give one a test drive just to see how much power they really have. I know I'm spoiled with 200hp, but if I found the power of the HCH adequate, I'm sure I'll enjoy the CR-Z. ...I just don't want to buy one new.

Hello -

They seem to be off to a good start in terms of aftermarket stuff :

Honda CR Z At SEMA 2010
Here are pictures of the 12 CR-Zs. I like the one that has a two-tone paint job that takes it's queue from "design line" on the side :

Honda CR Z At SEMA 2010 Photos
http://www.zercustoms.com/news/image...MA-2010-22.jpg

CarloSW2

That looks awesome! Kinda reminds me of a cross between the old CRX and the old Mazda MX-3s.

I just bought my CR-Z 2 months ago and honestly, its the most fun you can have in a hybrid, for under $25k. Seriously, this is way more fun than the insight, prius, or any other vehicle out there.

I test drove the VW diesels, and while they are more powerful and a tad faster, the interior looks like it was built for the >50 crowd. I'm 22, and havent driven "alot" of cars, but i've driven every modern honda, toyota cars, ford trucks and was even blessed to drive a 911 turbo, but nothing is as much fun for so little money.

And, I get 39mpg even when I gas it around town. My best run to Denver was >55mpg. (I did play around with a VW rabbit who wouldnt get off my tail) If it werent for that, i probably would've topped 60.

Don't rag on the weight of the IMA (integrated motor assist) its not super powerful, however, you KNOW when it kicks in. That little 1.5L is slow, especially with the AC on, but you put it in sport mode, get those rpms over 4k and drop that clutch, there will be tire smoke.

Also, there is NO backseat in the US models. I know, it looks like one, but there isnt. Something about US headroom restrictions, I don't know.

Any more questions on my car, feel free to ask me. I'm in the process of learning the in's and out's of hypermiling with a manual, but theres a "ME MAN! ME WANT FAST!" part of me that always comes out at least 3 times per tank so I only average 39.

[New member; CR-Z owner]

If you put the CR-Z in sport mode and disable the traction control then you are going to get squealing rubber AND a great, throaty engine sound. Switch over to econ mode, get on the highway, and set your cruise control and you can expect ~45 mpg. Great seats, great sound, great parking, great instruments, great looks, great transmission, great price.

Roundly dismissed by the US press - who think 'sporty' is a car for the Streets of Willow rather than for the real world.

GoZoner -

Being a former 2nd-Gen CRX owner I do like the CR-Z. The econ/normal/sport mode is such a no-brainer in terms of what all new cars should have. There is so much being controlled by the ECU/PCM that the investment is worth it when you consider that you are getting 3 cars for the price of one.

CarloSW2

I had a CR-Z. It was the CVT model and it seemed to accerate faster in Normal than Sport. I may wrong, it was just seat of pants feel. It pulled the ratio change quicker on the transmission. The Sport mode did handle different and I liked the "angry" mode every now and then.

When the cruiser type motorcycle hit me from behind it really soaked up the damage pretty good. The EMT's kept asking if I was ok and I kept sending them to the guy on the motorcycle, he got the worst of it.

I would like to have another one but it will be awhile. I may go for the 6 speed this time, I would be able to pull my mpg up. I hit a wall at about 50 mpg trip avr on the CVT. I also had a hard time maintaining it. By the end of the tank it would be like 44 or so (see angry mode above ;) ).

I have been happy to see the increase in mpg on several fronts from different manufactures but I like the CR-Z still.

Angry mode aka Sport turns the dash red in addition to changing steering response, yada..yada...

just 240 miles on the odo and 40 mpg, I must have been hammering it before I took the pic. :D (truthfully at 240 miles I wouldnt hammer it) It got better as I put a few miles on it.

Normal mode has a nice blue tint and I forgot to take a pic of economy but it turn the dash green and displays leaves as you progress. Drive "green" long enough and it gives you awards, little trophies on the dash display. :thumbup:

The final editted picture doesnt really belong on an eco forum but I was happy with result. The caption I had with it was "What a sport hybrid dreams of, and 1.5 squirrels screaming at the top of their lungs. " :rolleyes:

I saw an 2006 Insight rolling down the road, I think I may start saving for one...

Both the CR-Z and the current Insight, if I remember right, don't declutch the engine in electric or coast mode, but just shut the valves and injectors. Cheaper, no doubt, but probably the reason for the unimpressive mileage compared to Prii, doncha think?

Never looked at a Prius so I dont know how they work. Price wise I will come closer to the original Insight right now unless I find a hybrid needing work. I havent seen the new Insight in person yet.

On the Hondas do they close the valves (creates compession?) or open the intake or exhaust valve so air can just move back and forth. Either way your right, all the losses from the engine turning kill a bit of mileage.

I will tell you the first time I saw a CR-Z it was on a truck heading to the dealer. I called on the radio to ask what it was. I really liked the looks. After a little research I bought one. A Prius has never gotten to me like that (I used to think they were ugly, but now they are ok). Great mileage is an admirable goal but if you dont like the car will you keep it? (or even buy it?)

Thanks for the pictures. They've convinced me not to buy a CR-Z :-(

As for the CR-Z/Insight II closing valves... Well, it seems like another symptom of the "dasBlinkenLights" disease. Some people want the EV-mode like the Prius, no matter that it's really bad for overall efficiency. So they get it, use it, and their mpg drops: big surprise!

Yeah its a dog, neither sporty :eek: or fuel efficient. I drove one and managed almost 17 mpg on i95 during rush hour. The suspension is too soft and the rear seats are missing seat belts. :eek: I know a guy with an enginer phev kit and best he can get is the mid 60s in regards to mpg and he has the manual shifter. OD is too low of gearing. No EV mode. I have the 2nd gen Insight and have managed 103mpg with a plug in kit and EV mode. Basically tap the gas petal and apply enough pressure to take the play out of it. It does however rotate the engine and everything, so its not that efficient as the power splitter of the prius.

Mugen modded one for kingsmotorsports and it was just supercharged to 200 hp and lots of extra body parts added.

cr- z air box
 

i have a 2013 honda cr-z , and i remover the pipe before the air filter box and saw a mileage jump of 2 mpg, the air is still filtered. Not sure if its because of more air or if the air is warmer, hope this helps

hmb

It's more helpful if you create a new thread about your results, rather than bump back up old topics posting the same information over and over.

Looks like the CR-Z is on the way out.

Honda Belgium has removed it from its line-up, and is selling existing stock @ reduced prices.