New Honda Is Drop Z Gorgeous

[MikeCR-Z]

New Honda Is Drop Z Gorgeous

AT last, a green hybrid car to get you noticed for the right reasons - the Honda CR-Z is a cool and sporty-looking coupé.

It looked even more dramatic when it turned up at my door with a white pearl paint job, like a motoring crusader.

The low, chiselled front and long, sweeping LED headlights create a hint of menace.

But despite the CR-Z's futuristic lines, Honda designers admit they drew inspiration from the Eighties' CR-X Coupé.

So the CR-Z escapes the usual green car handicap of being worthy but boring - it has character.

But is it fun to drive? Most hybrids are not but Honda compare the CR-Z's performance and handling to the Mini.

If you are expecting seriously sporty you'll be a bit disappointed. But if you are just looking for a nippy car that's engaging to drive, with a sweet six-speed gearbox, the CR-Z delivers.

From a performance point of view, I never expected too much from the same 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor that are in the Honda Insight, geared to low CO2 emissions and good economy.

It takes the CR-Z just under ten seconds to hit 60mph and the engine noise becomes strained at the high end of the revs when you push it hard.

But the car is willing and capable and feels quicker, probably because its engine is mated to a very slick gearbox with short, fast changes and the small electric motor also kicks in to boost overtaking performance.

On sharp and twisty country roads, the CR-Z is great fun. The steering is sharp and responsive with lots of grip, especially when I pushed the car around bends.

There's something oddly enjoyable about pushing an eco-car, although the CR-Z does remind you when you're not driving "green" because the speedo's background lighting changes to red in sport mode.

The CR-Z has three driving modes at the touch of a button. Sport resets the throttle and steering to a sharper, more responsive setting. Normal is, well, normal. And Eco Assist is for seriously green driving, when the speedo colour turns green.

And you can tell the difference, especially in eco-mode. This is pretty gutless and geared to city driving but you do get improved economy - 56mpg compared with less than 40mpg in sport - and reduced emissions.

The cabin is very sci-fi and all the main instruments surround the driver like in a ****pit. You get two leather sports seats at the front, then two in the back that are strictly for babies or shopping bags.

Or fold the rear seats flat and the luggage area increases to 401 litres, plus you get 19 litres under-floor stowage in the boot.

And the price when it hits showrooms next month? A pretty acceptable £16,999, rising to just under £20,000.

Article Found At: New Honda is drop Z gorgeous | The Sun |Motors|Ken Gibson

[bizzybear]

Originally Posted by MikeCR-Z

You get two leather sports seats at the front, then two in the back that are strictly for babies or shopping bags.

haha just thought that was funny...