Autocar.UK: Hot CR-Z will be a hybrid

Honda R&D chief Tomohiko Kawanabe has confirmed that the firm is working on a high-performance CR-Z hybrid.

In an exclusive interview with Autocar, Kawanabe admitted that development work on the more powerful two-door has started, and that — contrary to earlier reports — it will keep its IMA hybrid system.

“It’s true: we are working on a more powerful CR-Z,” he said. “Our problem with the car as it stands is that it looks very good, but it doesn’t have the performance some customers expect.”
Autocar’s sources suggest that Honda might turn to a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine for the new CR-Z, but Kawanabe refused to confirm this.

"The decision on the engine hasn’t been made,” he said. “Turbocharging is an option, but a high-compression petrol engine would work better in tandem with a hybrid assist system.”

See pics of the Honda CR-Z Hybrid R concept

It is highly likely that the faster CR-Z will use Honda’s next-generation IMA system, which will appear first in the US-market Civic Hybrid next year.

Featuring lithium ion batteries, the new IMA will be capable of producing twice as much power as Honda’s nickel-metal hydride system, without requiring a larger battery.

A more sophisticated coupling should also allow it to fully disengage from the engine during brake energy regeneration (something the current IMA system can’t do), allowing it to recapture more kinetic energy to recycle as electric power.

The problem for the CR-Z’s performance will be Honda’s efficiency targets. “It will not be acceptable for the new car to be less fuel efficient than the current one,” Kawanabe said. “The CR-Z must deliver low CO2 emissions, as well as be fun to drive.”

That being the case, a combined petrol-electric power increase to 160bhp is likely, delivered without compromising fuel efficiency thanks to that more powerful hybrid system.
Matt Saunders

Source;
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/255962/

Read more »

Autocar.UK: Hot CR-Z will be a hybrid

Honda R&D chief Tomohiko Kawanabe has confirmed that the firm is working on a high-performance CR-Z hybrid.

In an exclusive interview with Autocar, Kawanabe admitted that development work on the more powerful two-door has started, and that — contrary to earlier reports — it will keep its IMA hybrid system.

“It’s true: we are working on a more powerful CR-Z,” he said. “Our problem with the car as it stands is that it looks very good, but it doesn’t have the performance some customers expect.”
Autocar’s sources suggest that Honda might turn to a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine for the new CR-Z, but Kawanabe refused to confirm this.

"The decision on the engine hasn’t been made,” he said. “Turbocharging is an option, but a high-compression petrol engine would work better in tandem with a hybrid assist system.”

See pics of the Honda CR-Z Hybrid R concept

It is highly likely that the faster CR-Z will use Honda’s next-generation IMA system, which will appear first in the US-market Civic Hybrid next year.

Featuring lithium ion batteries, the new IMA will be capable of producing twice as much power as Honda’s nickel-metal hydride system, without requiring a larger battery.

A more sophisticated coupling should also allow it to fully disengage from the engine during brake energy regeneration (something the current IMA system can’t do), allowing it to recapture more kinetic energy to recycle as electric power.

The problem for the CR-Z’s performance will be Honda’s efficiency targets. “It will not be acceptable for the new car to be less fuel efficient than the current one,” Kawanabe said. “The CR-Z must deliver low CO2 emissions, as well as be fun to drive.”

That being the case, a combined petrol-electric power increase to 160bhp is likely, delivered without compromising fuel efficiency thanks to that more powerful hybrid system.
Matt Saunders

Source;
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/255962/

Read more »

Carscoop: Euro Mugen building custom High Performance CR-Z Hybrid

One of the biggest problems most see with Honda’s CR-Z hybrid sport hatch is the lack of a performance version. That may change soon enough as Mugen’s European division is readying a “highly-tuned” version of the CR-Z that it claims will deliver “Type R-like” performance. The faster and more powerful CR-Z Mugen prototype is being developed as a joint project between Honda UK and Mugen Euro, and it will make its world debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this July.

“This will be one quick hybrid,” said Martin Moll, Head of Marketing for Honda UK. “With more torque, more power and MUGEN’s experience of working with Honda cars, we’re expecting great things. It promises to show how hybrid cars can be even more exciting to drive.”

Honda said that the CR-Z MUGEN prototype will feature modifications to both the 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine and the Honda IMA system to boost power and torque, adding that these changes may also result in greater mpg and lower CO2 emissions during some conditions. Final power, torque and fuel economy figures are not yet known.

Other performance upgrades will include bespoke brakes and a tuned suspension while Mugen will also make use of lightweight components such as a carbon fibre bonnet and forged alloys to lower the overall mass.

Furthermore, Mugen will treat the CR-Z with a new body kit that includes new front and rear bumpers as well as a rear wing and diffuser to improve aerodynamics.

“We wanted to extend the performance of the CR-Z,” says Hiro Toyoda of MUGEN Euro. “It is already a fun car to drive, with an excellent chassis, but we thought that with more power and enhanced torque delivery it could be even more exciting. However, as with all MUGEN projects, we have stayed true to the Honda design and philosophy, and the electric motor is still a vital ingredient to boost performance and economy.”

Even though at this stage, the CR-Z MUGEN is being crafted as a one-off prototype with no plans for a production version, we’ll remind you that’s what Honda said when it introduced the 240HP Civic Type R Mugen in 2009 which ended up in a limited production for Europe.

Source;
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/03/mugen-euro-building-high-performance.html

Read more »

Carscoop: Euro Mugen building custom High Performance CR-Z Hybrid

One of the biggest problems most see with Honda’s CR-Z hybrid sport hatch is the lack of a performance version. That may change soon enough as Mugen’s European division is readying a “highly-tuned” version of the CR-Z that it claims will deliver “Type R-like” performance. The faster and more powerful CR-Z Mugen prototype is being developed as a joint project between Honda UK and Mugen Euro, and it will make its world debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this July.

“This will be one quick hybrid,” said Martin Moll, Head of Marketing for Honda UK. “With more torque, more power and MUGEN’s experience of working with Honda cars, we’re expecting great things. It promises to show how hybrid cars can be even more exciting to drive.”

Honda said that the CR-Z MUGEN prototype will feature modifications to both the 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine and the Honda IMA system to boost power and torque, adding that these changes may also result in greater mpg and lower CO2 emissions during some conditions. Final power, torque and fuel economy figures are not yet known.

Other performance upgrades will include bespoke brakes and a tuned suspension while Mugen will also make use of lightweight components such as a carbon fibre bonnet and forged alloys to lower the overall mass.

Furthermore, Mugen will treat the CR-Z with a new body kit that includes new front and rear bumpers as well as a rear wing and diffuser to improve aerodynamics.

“We wanted to extend the performance of the CR-Z,” says Hiro Toyoda of MUGEN Euro. “It is already a fun car to drive, with an excellent chassis, but we thought that with more power and enhanced torque delivery it could be even more exciting. However, as with all MUGEN projects, we have stayed true to the Honda design and philosophy, and the electric motor is still a vital ingredient to boost performance and economy.”

Even though at this stage, the CR-Z MUGEN is being crafted as a one-off prototype with no plans for a production version, we’ll remind you that’s what Honda said when it introduced the 240HP Civic Type R Mugen in 2009 which ended up in a limited production for Europe.

Source;
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/03/mugen-euro-building-high-performance.html

Read more »

Turbocharged 1.6L Honda CRZ in the works

Interesting....
Honda is set to provide its CR-Z with an all-new, turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine option as part of plans to broaden the compact coupé’s appeal in key world markets, including the UK.
Currently available with just the one engine option — a hybrid that mates a 112bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 14bhp electric motor — the CR-Z is earmarked to receive an all-new turbocharged 1.6-litre powerplant that is currently undergoing development at Honda’s Tochigi R&D centre.

Source;
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=942184

Read more »

Turbocharged 1.6L Honda CRZ in the works

Interesting....
Honda is set to provide its CR-Z with an all-new, turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine option as part of plans to broaden the compact coupé’s appeal in key world markets, including the UK.
Currently available with just the one engine option — a hybrid that mates a 112bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 14bhp electric motor — the CR-Z is earmarked to receive an all-new turbocharged 1.6-litre powerplant that is currently undergoing development at Honda’s Tochigi R&D centre.

Source;
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=942184

Read more »