Filed under: Hybrid, Honda, USA
Like Honda's CR-Z concept? Tell them what you think
Click on the image above to enlarge
It's no secret that we were stoked to see Honda re-entering the dedicated hybrid game with the announcement that they would soon be entering production with their CR-Z concept. What's cool is that Honda has seen fit to allow you to show your enthusiasm too. Click here to go straight to Honda's survey regarding the new hybrid hatch. If you want to brush up on your knowledge about the CR-Z, click here for some of our coverage, then go here for Honda's CR-Z minisite.
While the upcoming Honda "global-hybrid" is the likely sales leader and Prius-fighter, we like that Honda is reviving the concept of the fun-to-drive CRX as an environmentally-friendly sporty car which should go a long way towards showing people that driving green can also be driving fun.
[Source: Honda, thanks for the tip, kt]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
armmat 12:49PM (3/07/2008)
It's a shame automakers have taken the approach with hybrids as being these bland, boring, slow cars. They may not have the performance of current IC powered cars BUT why can't you have a car that's a hybrid and still looks good? Has sporty wheels? Has a nice shape?? Handles well?? Their approach has been completely retarded.
If they had the approach I speak of from the beginning, hybrid's would be selling very well...who cares if I don't have 500HP in a stupid M5 and I can't go to 60 in 4 seconds. Douchebags who drive those things need to just get the penis extensions and be done with it.
Reply
Snowdog 1:15PM (3/07/2008)
Not much of a survey. They don't ask about much of anything, they aren't going to use this info to design the car, they are looking for info to market the car. My advice: Ignore survey, it is useless.
To poster #1. Performance hybrids have been nearly outright failures (like the Accord V6) because they got crappy gas mileage. To a large extent you design for function first, then styling. Aerodynamics are more important than have the best looks. The same with putting giant open spoke wheels, that mess up aerodynamics and have more rotational inertia.
The only point of doing a hybrid is for better MPG and you have to do the other things that get you there. That includes and aerodynamic shape and aerodynamic wheels.
The CRZ is first on my list for my next new car, but if Honda gets it wrong I won't be near their showroom.
Must Have:
Manual transmission.
45mpg+ real world.
I will get a new clean Diesel that meets those criteria if Honda can't. Styling is nice but unless it delivers the basics I wan't I could care if it looked better than a Ferrari. Function first, styling second.
Reply
armmat 1:23PM (3/07/2008)
Snowdog,
You missed my point....I didn't say the hybrid had to have phenomenal performance. I don't care about performance as much I care about the car's functionality and styling. There is no reason a car that looks sporty can't be a hybrid too. A hybrid GTI? A hybrid Mini Cooper S?? A hybrid Civic SI? Most hybrids deliver the basics...a Prius or Civic have more than enough performance to everyday driving..so why can't a hybrid Mini that'll also handle well, look stylish, and feel sporty? So what if it doesn't keep up with an IC powered Cooper S...doesn't matter for me.
People's mentality is what needs to change. Most drivers of these cars are too insecure with themselves to consider such options.
As far as diesels go, they solve nothing. It's just another IC engine that while more fuel efficient, requires more crude to make, is dirtier in other ways while cleaner in some...it's not a solution at all.
Reply
Snowdog 1:37PM (3/07/2008)
It sounds like you are the one insecure and demanding a certain look for your car. There is nothing insecure about not giving a rats ass what it looks like and instead wanting it to do the job. Some of these things are mutually exclusive with performance. There is a reason the Prius gets much better MPG than other hybrids.
1: Aerodynamics. This impacts the body styling which a lot of people complain about the prius. You can't simply ignore this and expect the same results.
2: Low rolling resistance tires. Again this will negatively impact performance. Smaller wheels are also more efficient and again less sporty looking. Going further most hybrids have very closed wheels or wheel covers.
So if you are really chasing hight mileage, you can't have the sportiest looks, sharpest looking wheels and best handling tires, because all of these things cost MPG.
If you just take a normal sporty car and add hybrid you are not going to get that big a bump in fuel econ.
Reply
Mark 1:44PM (3/07/2008)
does it plug-in? if not..not interested.
Reply
jake 1:45PM (3/07/2008)
@armmat
Well, it's funny how you talk about penis extensions when you want hybrids to look more like the cars that you are saying people who need penis extensions drive.
When you are talking about efficiency, form follows function. Both the civic and prius hybrids are designed for max efficiency so they are designed with optimal aerodynamics in mind.
I can understand from a marketing standpoint if hybrids looked "sporty" or cool then maybe more people will buy it. Well the golf diesel hybrid is going to come out sometime so there's one option for you.
Reply
Charles S 2:03PM (3/07/2008)
Before we go any further, I'd like to say that (vehicle) APPEARANCE IS UTTERLY SUBJECTIVE!
Armmat mentioned MINI Cooper. I own a MINI Cooper since 2002 and I can tell you now, before the media blitz in 2002-2003, most Americans view the MINI Cooper to the likes of Clown Cars. Only much praise from magazines about SPORT performance and creative advertisements that gives MINI a positive branding.
Those who hate the Prius often say it's "ugly" but really can't say why. Frog-faced car like Porsche 911 is considered a masterpiece. It's all just vanity and brand-building.
To add to SnowDog's comment, beside aerodynamics of the Prius, it is also designed to have a lot of interior room with yet a manageable exterior footprint. Prius has a versatile cargo space area that is far better than the likes of Camry or Jetta.
It may not "look" like a typical car, but for its design and functionality, I think it is a great step forward to what a versatile car should be.
If all one cares is how a car should impress others, then I think such customers should just ignore mileage numbers (as most Americans do) and just write a blank check at your favorite dealership.
Reply
dwf 2:16PM (3/07/2008)
That thing looks like a guppy (or other fish) with its mouth open.
Reply
Whopper 2:35PM (3/07/2008)
There is beauty in function and, often, some of the most beautiful designs are the most functional. Examples: the P-51 Mustang and Lockheed Constellation are generally considered to be beautiful aircraft, and they were peak performers in their day. Someone looking for maximum mileage might think the Prius is pretty good looking. Wrapping the Prius concept in a Ferrari 330 GT body would just be a "great pretender".
armmat, you wear your penis extender between your shoulders. Can you not express yourself without resorting to the gutter?
Reply
Rick 7:07PM (3/07/2008)
Take the lure out of it's mouth and throw it back in.
Reply
mike 9:04PM (3/07/2008)
The nose needs an aerodynamic replacement. Other then that, build it.
Reply
Dan 10:34PM (3/09/2008)
personally, i would love to own this car providing it fulfills its promise of being fuel efficient and fun to drive. does anyone know when the official specs will be released?
Reply