World Exclusive Test: 2011 Spoon Sports CR-Z - Road Test

[Sam]

World Exclusive Test: 2011 Spoon Sports CR-Z - Road Test
Spoon makes the sporty Honda CR-Z a true sports car.

Spoon is always one step ahead of the competition, whether that be in racing or introducing tuned versions of Honda’s sportiest cars. The new Spoon CR-Z closely follows Spoon president Tatsuru Ichishima’s philosophy on car tuning, improving the soul of the car rather than just its performance.

The Spoon car sits much closer to the ground, lowered by about an inch and a half. A black carbon-fiber hood and flashy wheels highlight its styling. Under the hood, Spoon took apart the 1.5-liter inline-4 and reassembled the i-VTEC powerplant with many of its own parts. The ECU was remapped, increasing redline from 6200 rpm to 8500, with more torque in the mid range. Of particular note is Spoon’s new exhaust, which makes this hybrid sound like an Italian exotic. Together, the gasoline engine and electric motor produce about 145 bhp and about 150 lb.-ft. of torque, significant gains over stock. Also, Spoon claims it shed about 220 lb. from the car’s curb weight.

Mash the throttle, and the car leaves the line in the same way as the original, with verve, but the Spoon CR-Z gets stronger as the engine revs rise. The Spoon Sports CR-Z, with a 6-speed manual gearbox, dashed to 60 mph in a scant 6.9 seconds and to the quarter mile in 15.5. Naturally, the car’s fuel economy takes a hit; I predict the Spoon CR-Z will still get around 25/29 mpg city/highway.

The car’s handling is much sharper, thanks to stiffer springs and shocks and thicker anti-roll bars. With a strengthened chassis and a custom limited-slip differential, the Spoon CR-Z feels much more neutral than the stock CR-Z. Spoon is currently working on a race version that Ichishima says will introduce a new era in endurance racing. He plans to have this car finished for the 25 Hours of Thunderhill in December.

This tuner version of the CR-Z will be available as a complete car later this year for about $8000 plus the cost of the car. For more information, go to the company’s website at www.spoonsports.us.

View More Pictures Of The Spoon CR-Z Here...


Article Found At: World Exclusive Test: 2011 Spoon Sports CR-Z - Article - Road and Track

[MikeCR-Z]

Great find, thanks Sam!

[human668]

I like that tuned engine.
I hope Hondata will come up an ECU reflash for US or even flashpro.

[SpoonCrz]

Hmm...8k for Spooned Crz..

So..i'm guessing the Ex model here would be around $24000 + $8000 comes to
$32000. Dunno...i can think of many stock cars that can do that performance numbers without any mods.

[dorifuto.boi]

145bhp ?
its like an april fools joke
except its not april
oh wait it is just not the first

[YLA]

from 6200 rpm to 8500..

I LIKE THAT

[alric]

Originally Posted by YLA

from 6200 rpm to 8500..

I LIKE THAT

That sounds fishy to me! If you look at the standard power graph it shows that at 6100rpm bhp is already tailing off so what would be the point in revving it another 2400rpm unless they had done some pretty extensive internal mods to gain from the increased revs.

[TimeAttack]

Originally Posted by alric

unless they had done some pretty extensive internal mods to gain from the increased revs.

Spoon took apart the 1.5-liter inline-4 and reassembled the i-VTEC powerplant with many of its own parts.

.................

[Vash337]

0-60 in 6.9 is more like it.


[Spec]
- Weight: 995kg (stock CR-Z 1,130kg)
- Rev Limit: 7,500rpm (stock 6,300rpm)
- Horsepower: 145ps (stock 114ps/6000rpm)
- Torque: 16kgm (stock 14.8kgm/4800rpm)
- Engine Compression Rate: 10.8 (stock 10.4)

///// * are prototype products as of August 2010 /////

Venturi Big Throttle
Tail Silencer N1 Type
Spoon ECU

Spoon Suspension Kit
L.S.D. Kit (1.5way)
*Spoon Close Ratio Gear Set
Sub Frame Rigid Collar Kit
*Engine Room Tower Bar
Carbon Fiber Hood
Roof Turbulator
*Aero Door Mirrors

Spoon Bucket Seat
Spoon Short Shift Knob
Momo Steering Wheel

Brake Pads
*Brake Rotor (15inch)
*2-Block Brake Caliper

Tires: BS RE-11 205/45R17
Wheels: CR93 Spoon Racing Rims (yellow)

[Ecotune]

Those wheels look awesome on the CRZ