Honda CR-Z – Euro debut at Geneva

Honda are bringing the production version of the CR-Z hybrid to the Geneva Motor Show

Honda are attempting to make the hybrid car ‘Sporty’ with the Honda CR-Z. First seen at the Tokyo Motor Show last year and in US production form at Detroit last month, Europe gets to see the Euro production version of the CR-Z at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

We’re finding it a bit difficult to get our heads round the idea that this is a ‘Sporty’ hybrid. True, you do get a manual box – which will hugely improve the ‘Drive’ – but the combination of a 1.5 litre 102bhp engine mated to a 20bhp electric motor doesn’t sound wonderfully promising.

The Honda CR-Z averages 56.4 mpg and emits 117g/km CO2. Which doesn’t strike us as massively impressive. There are plenty of modern diesel cars offering these sorts of figures – and better. Drivers get a choice of three driving modes – fun, economy or a combination of both – which alter throttle response, steering, idle stop, Climate and the IMA’s assistance to achieve the required result. What each do to CO2 and mpg figures Honda aren’t telling us.

The CR-Z is basically a rebodied Honda Insight, although the track has widened and the wheelbase shortened, which should help driving dynamics. The suspension has also been tweaked from the Insight with new spring and damper settings – much needed.

There is talk of a Mugen CR-Z on the horizon. Whether that will be purely cosmetic or will get the extra horses the CR-Z seems to desperately need we don’t yet know.

We’re expecting the CR-Z to come in at around £19k when it hits showrooms later in 2010. Which is a lot of money for what’s on offer.

But then a ‘Green Halo’ doesn’t come cheap. You have to pay to make a ‘Statement’. However misguided that statement is.

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By Cars UK