Once upon a time, not so very long ago, the most fuel efficient gas-powered car in this land was a version of the Honda CR-X. Back in the day, the CR-X was a small two-seat coupe based on the Civic and the HF flavor got EPA numbers of 41/50 mpg. Ever since the CR-X mutated into the now deceased Del Sol, fans of the original runabout have wished for a revival. Last year, Honda showed a concept called the CR-Z which harkened back to the original and Honda has since confirmed that a production version would be debuting after the new Insight as the second dedicated hybrid model in its lineup. A reader has sent in this photoshop rendering of what the production CR-Z may look like. Hopefully the production CR-Z retains the more aggressive look of the concept as a counterpoint to the very Prius-like Insight. What do you guys think? Thanks to Christian for the tip!

[Source: Photobucket]

Last fall at the Tokyo Motor Show, Honda announced its plans to introduce a new dedicated hybrid drive vehicle in 2009. The new hybrid would the first dedicated hybrid from Honda since the original Insight ended production in 2006. At his mid-year press conference, CEO Takeo Fukui revealed that Honda would in fact introduce two new dedicated hybrids next year along with a hybrid version of the new Fit. The first of the hybrid-only models will be a five seat, five door hatchback with styling based on the look of the FCX Clarity fuel cell car (pictured). The second new hybrid will be a coupe based on last year's CR-Z concept which will be great news to fans of the long-departed Civic CRX.

To make all of this happen, Honda has developed an updated version of their Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system. The revised IMA will significantly reduce both the weight and cost of the system, allowing it to be applied to more vehicles. Honda is expanding and adding a second IMA production line at its Suzuka, Japan factory (where the Civic hybrid is produced) to build the new hybrid models and bringing the capacity to 250,000 hybrids. Between the two new hybrids, the Fit and the Civic, Honda hopes to have 500,000 annual hybrid sales within the next couple of years. Thanks to theRookie for the tip!


[Source: Honda]
All photos ©2007 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Hybrid car shoppers will have more choices than ever before in 2009 when Honda releases their new Prius fighter and the CR-Z hybrid sports car. Toyota has also publicly said that their next-generation Prius will go on sale in '09. Honda hopes to sell 100,000 of their dedicated hybrid family sedan in North America, and hopes to double that number when worldwide sales are tallied. Details remain sketchy, but as we've reported before, the CR-Z model is separate from their hybrid family sedan. They hope to price the sedan between the Fit and the Civic Hybrid.

The CR-Z is intended to be a sporty hybrid, and the weight of the battery is a big concern. Honda COO Takanobu Ito was interviewed at the Tokyo Motor Show and declined to comment on whether Honda plans on a lithium ion battery for their new hybrid models, but that would make a big dent in the weight problem.

Related:

• It's not just the FCX; the CR-Z is entering production soon as well

[Source: Auto News (sub. req'd)]

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]