Interview with CRZ project leader

[NikonShooter32]

Interview with Norio Tomobe, Large Project Leader of Honda CR-Z

[supercrz]

Very informative!!!

[Carzee]

Originally Posted by NikonShooter32

Interview with Norio Tomobe, Large Project Leader of Honda CR-Z

Great post, sounds like you can swap in the new lithium batteries in the old model if you switch over the pcu and Ecu. Also makes it seem like the s plus button is doable as well

[thoughtsimple]

But to answer whether there will be a more powerful version of the CR-Z, why, yes, you can expect that. The CR-Z has another 10 years left in its life cycle, so moving forward, it will always be improved until the next one appears.

My favorite part of the interview. My biggest worry buying the CR-Z is that it isn't selling very well in the US and I was worried that I was buying a vehicle with a limited production lifetime. This gives me hope that Honda is taking a longer view with the CR-Z.

[ChRistopherZ]

Originally Posted by thoughtsimple

My favorite part of the interview. My biggest worry buying the CR-Z is that it isn't selling very well in the US and I was worried that I was buying a vehicle with a limited production lifetime. This gives me hope that Honda is taking a longer view with the CR-Z.

Honda will succeed with the CR-Z when they ramp up the ponies and allow for more eccentric options like leather seats, sunroof, push button start, etc. Heck, just ramp up the ponies to a respectable 170hp and sales would soar!

[_JB_]

Originally Posted by ChRistopherZ

Honda will succeed with the CR-Z when they ramp up the ponies and allow for more eccentric options like leather seats, sunroof, push button start, etc. Heck, just ramp up the ponies to a respectable 170hp and sales would soar!

It still probably wouldn't sell well in the US. The US market wants big, family cars. Small two seat cars just don't sell well in comparison.

[HondaHolly]

Small 2-seaters will never do as well as sedans and suv's in the US. Everyone wants it bigger and better... and more gas-guzzlier. But I agree that adding cool options like leather seats, heated leather seats, moon/sunroof, etc will pull in a few more customers. This car is cheap enough that people in their 20s (like me) can afford it. Young and older folks (no kids yet, or empty nest) are more like to buy this, because it is a 2-seater.

Edit: 500th post!

[ArtJDM]

Originally Posted by Carzee

Great post, sounds like you can swap in the new lithium batteries in the old model if you switch over the pcu and Ecu. Also makes it seem like the s plus button is doable as well

Can the outgoing CR-Z be retrofitted with the new Li-ion battery?

No, because the operating computer system and ECU are totally on different settings. To swap all the
necessary components to allow the change would be very challenging and anyway it can’t be done at a
Honda dealer, as there won’t be any supporting warranty for it.

Hmm. I'm not sure about that.

[Scotty001]

Great post.. Moved to the CR-Z News area which shows up on the main page.

[Johnnysixtoes]

Love it!