Tokyo Motor Show: Honda CR-Z hybrid concept
Filed under: Hybrid, Honda, Tokyo Motor Show

Just earlier today we brought you a story about Honda's new dedicated hybrid model, which would be a more mainstream attempt than the Insight was. Will that model be Honda's CR-Z concept car which was just revealed in Tokyo? Ostensibly a replacement for the now defunct, but much loved, CRX model, the CR-Z adds a hybrid drivetrain to that car's proven formula. Although the Insight was never intended to be sporty, the size and proportions were there from the start. Of course, wider tires and less extreme aerodynamics would likely reduce the fuel consumption numbers a bit, but if more people were to purchase the vehicle, the overall impact could in fact be better.
Take a look at all of our pictures of the car and start thinking about carving up your daily commute with a sporty hybrid. Sounds like fun, doesn't it?
All live photos ©2007 Damon Lavrinc / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Honda via Autoblog]
PRESS RELEASE:
Honda Announces Automobiles to be Displayed at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show 2007
TOKYO, Japan, October 9, 2007–Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that it will exhibit production and concept automobiles and a number of technologies at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show (sponsored byJapan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc.), to be held from Saturday, October 27 to Sunday, November 11, 2007, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan.
The theme for Honda's automobile booth for this year is: "For the endless joy of mobility on our earth". Based on this theme, Honda will display a variety of advanced environmental technologies that address environmental issues such as a reduction in CO2 emissions, together with the fun of mobility.
Two concept models will make their world premiere at the motor show. The CR-Z is a next-generation lightweight sports car equipped with Honda's original gas-electric hybrid system which achieves both clean performance and a high level of torque. The PUYO is a fuel cell vehicle which was designed based on out-of-box thinking to provide fun for both the vehicle owner and people around them as well. Also on display will be a model of the i-DTEC next-generation diesel engine, first announced in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show, which delivers both outstanding environmental performance and engine performance characteristics.
Moreover, the all-new Fit, which will go on sale in Japan in late October, will be on display. Since it was first introduced in 2001, the Fit has been widely acclaimed for its style, functionality, and outstanding fuel economy, with worldwide sales topping two million units. The all-new Inspire equipped with a new Variable Cylinder Management system, scheduled to go on sale in Japan later this year, will also be on display. Honda will exhibit a total of 18 vehicles representing 11 different models, including vehicles already on the market, those soon to be introduced, and future concept models.
In addition, a "Next Energy" display will showcase Honda's latest initiatives in new energy development, including technology for producing bio-ethanol from rice straw and the environmentally responsible next-generation thin-film solar cells, which will go on sale nationwide in Japan. Moreover, Honda's F1 and other racing machines that symbolize the challenge to realize new dreams and other advanced environmental technologies that enable people to enjoy mobility into the future will also be on display. Through these exhibits, Honda will propose a new direction for the future of mobility.
CR-Z
'CR-Z' stands for 'Compact Renaissance Zero'-an expression intended to capture the idea of a renaissance in the design of compact cars that begins anew from fundamentals.
This design research model of a lightweight hybrid sports car features advanced technologies that deliver enjoyable driving for all while reducing the vehicle's environmental footprint.
Exterior design
Designed to be 'Futuristic and Dynamic', the CR-Z combines powerful performance in a compact form with a futuristic image. For its frontal view, an over-sized grill with a high-performance look is offset by openings on each side that lighten the overall feel. In the rear, tube-shaped rear combination lamps ensure better rearward visibility. Design details emphasizing the CR-Z's advanced image include door mirrors that provide high visibility in a stylish form, LED headlights patterned after luminous bodies to convey a sharp impression, and jauntyfin-shaped
Interior design
The key words for the CR-Z's interior design are 'Hi-tech and Sporty'. The goal was to create an all-new sporty interior that fuses the liberating feel of airy spaciousness with an advanced interface that brings out the fun of the drive. Mesh material on a simple framework construction is used throughout the interior to convey a light, sophisticated image without being oppressive. In the cockpit, the meter unit conveys the image of advanced technology ensconced in a piece of glass artwork, offering the functionality of immediate recognition while enhancing the driving experience with a futuristic and exhilarating feeling.











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-24-2007 @ 9:12PM
Snowdog said...
I am interested in this kind of car.
IF:
It follows the CRX philosophy of great gas mileage with fun to drive. If they can deliver Insight like mileage with a touch more performance: WoooWhooo.
IF:
I has manual transmission. CVT sucks the life out of anything.
IF:
They loose those massive blinds spots in the C pillar and put more glass in the doors. I despise the current fashion of high belt lines. Cool looking from the outside. Claustrophobic and poor visibility from the inside. The only visibility seems to be through the roof. I like the glass roof, but I would actually like to see out the sides and to the rear.
Some would be nice:
Big enough fuel tank to go 500-600 miles.
Fold flat passenger seat to carry longer items.
Tone down the snout.
Practical, sporty, with great mileage and I WILL buy it.
Reply
11-28-2007 @ 4:12AM
Wndsrfr said...
I also am interested in this car. It seems to be a re-work of the "remix" model they provide on their web site on future/concept vehicles.
However there are a few other things I'd lik eto see in this vehicle;
As in the Aptera car example why not take advantage of roof mounted solar panels to provide A/C even when nobody is present in the vehicle during hot summer months, so we don't have to come back to a scorching car.
I agree with the Snowdog that it has to have manual transmission. That was the precise reason why I din't want to get a hybrid Accord/Civic before. Driving CVT islike driving an automatic car, any car with more than 100HP has to leap forward almost the moment you step on to the gas even while driving at 55-60mph, not deciding a few seconds afterwards (unfortunately even a V-6 automatic acts like... perhaps someday today it will go for it). Had Honda vehicles before and a manual-Civic right now, I do expect at least the same performance.
I do not mind the C-pillars, if the side-mirrors are good enough. In addition, as long as the bottom level of the side windows at neck level I don't think visibility should create a problem.
No car manufacturer seems to be paying enough attention right now is the entertainment system. Some even still insist on putting regular CD or CD changers. At this age of technology, I'm sorry but that is like offering an 8-Track tape. I currently have a DVD-mp3 capable DL/DVD deck, and it has 1000 songs limit per DVD-disc, and for the most part that is okay. Tried hooking Ipod via a auxiliary jack, the sound qualitywasn't as bad as FM transmission but nowhere as good as fully digital read. Some companies, offer USB-slot/compact-flash-slot decks... Why even bother since none of the USB slot enabled decks can read off of a 250GB hard disk. What I wish to see a detachable hard drive like module that may resemble a CD changer although given the current state of technology much smaller. Sony has a 1Gb detechable face unit hooks to the USB port, if it were 90-100 GB, yes, but one GB... again so in the past. C'mon desgners, do you not commute to work, or do you keep listening to the same old CD that is about to rust soon. Give us something with a few hundred GB capacity for mp3s along with a good intuitive software to manage it. After all additional modules may be a source of extra income for you too. And I personally wouldn't care if it didn't have any CD/DVD player if had a HDD. Oh, with thousands of songs at your disposal would you really need the satellite radio (besides the talk shows), why wait till they play the song you like when you can have it in a few second... and keep paying monthly charge for it perhaps in addition to having its cost included in the car's purchase price... really BS.
Again, I agree with Snowdog, that it has to be capble of going at least 5-600 miles with a tank of gas if not more. This is a big country and some of us don't wish to stop for gas every 4-5 hours.
Yes, foldable rear seats would be almost mandatory. Even with the small Civic I was able to carry a 7 foot surfboard and have it completely fit inside thevehicle with the trunk closed. It should have the same capacity, otherwise why bother purchasing a new one, since all my Hondas worked perfect with no engine/major malfunctions up until 700K+ miles. Too bad, the car bodies do not last as long. Honda, you have my kudos, but now, but those designers to work and have them come innovative ideas, not only making things "look" more appealing, but that alone is not going make as much money.
I also wish to see a streering wheel that consists of 4 "arms" 7-9-3-5 o'clock position, as with many of the Hondas, instead of 6-9-3 positions. It's just easier to manage the wheel that way with one hand. Sorry if you always hold the wheel the "correct-way" at 10-2.
Considering many cities/states are banning cell-phone use while driving a bluetooth phone integration might be a great idea. Even greater implementaion of it would be having the entertainment system linked to it (not as in automatic volume limiter but also as in having bluetooth capability) so those of us who park within 100feet or so of our homes can actually transfer music files into the car without even taking anything in-out during the night while the car is parked. We can already do the file transfer with phones/PDAs w/o even going into the house, so why not do the same with car systems. If HDD-deck-entertainment system plus bluetooth add-on seems impossible tasks for Honda which I seriously doubt, at least leave about 3 inches of clearance unerneath the front seats so, we can slide in a mini-low-profile computer to do all that and more.
As the list keep going... Even in the high-res picture of the rear window, I could not notice a defroster (perhaps the picture quality wasn't high enough), please do tell me it does have a rear defroster and considering the roof is almost all transparent and why not adding some defrsoter there as well, that should somehow help those vertically challenged drivers who can not reach the top to clear of the snow.
Plesase, do not offer the top-end models only with leather seats. While during the winter time it may be a good idea to have heated seats, when the temperatures reach above 95-100degree F here in DC area, (or anyplace else for that matter) sitting on a leather feels like going thru that walking over the burning coal after intense meditation enlightenment test.
Finally, since I could not see a side-protective-strip against other parked car drivers banging the doors to the car, not to make it look like it's been through a meteor-shower after a few years of city/suburbian driving, that little strip might go a long away.
Practical, sporty, technologically innovative (doesn't have to be as complex as a lunar module nor has to be as luxurious as a high-end automobile) with great-milage, it'll definitely be among the first people ordering one.
Reply
1-15-2008 @ 12:05PM
J Burton said...
Honda, good job. If only the auto company would produce such a revolutionary design. I have been driving various Hondas all of my life, from old Accords to the 5th gen Prelude (now own a 93 Accord/270,000miles & 02 Civic/155,000miles; 35 & 45 mpg respectively). Honda can do two things to improve its reputation: even better mpg & refreshing new looks. Though this car looks like it came right out of the new HondaJet rather than Honda Motors, it is new and innovative. Everyone would want a better look. Now, it better get 70+ and cost less than 20K. … and please don’t compare this car to the grocery & kid haulin’ Prius. It is what it is, the third step for Honda’s fun little gas misers: CRX, Insight, CR-Z.
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