MSN: Honda CR-Z Fans Speak

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MSN: Honda CR-Z Fans Speak

Dan Trent writes:
We actually had the Honda CR-Z in on test weeks before we were allowed to actually tell you about it, thanks to an embargo on all road tests until a certain date. That’s now been and gone and the full first drive is up on the main MSN Cars site now.

And I can now tell you about what Honda fanatics think of the car. Or two of them at least! Having posted up on the Type R owner’s forum saying I had the car there was a fair amount of interest in it, not least for its new school CRX looks. So I suggested anyone who wanted to have a first-hand look come along and meet up.

So to South Mimms services and a rendezvous with Charlotte Barker and Jason Evans, both previous shape Civic Type R owners and both proper Honda fans and willing to be won over by the hybrid CR-Z’s charms. But not without overturning a few prejudices first.

So, after a run around the block what did they think? ‘Sporty!’ says Charlotte on first acquaintance, admitting that when she thinks hybrid she – like many – thinks Prius. But echoes of the original CRX and internet chatter about hop up parts from CJ’s favourite Honda tuner Mugen have certainly got her interested and she says the CR-Z is ‘one to consider for the future, certainly.’

Jason meanwhile has experience of the original Insight coupe, a car that’s heavily influenced the CR-Z. ‘It was so slow!’ he recalls. ‘This surprised me because it’s quite nippy – there’s a massive difference and you haven’t got batteries taking up all the space like you did on the Insight although I think it was a bit ahead of its time and I don’t think people understood it properly.’

Both like the CR-Z’s look and feel but both seem to think a bit more power wouldn’t go amiss, Jason in particular keen to speculate what it would be like with a Type R engine in place of the hybrid drivetrain. ‘It would fit,’ he grins. ‘I checked, and it would fit!’

Dan

CR-Z: Honda fans speak - Windows Live

another good angle