Honda CR-Z to Cost Less Than $20,000; Official Release Date for US

[MikeCR-Z]

Honda CR-Z to Cost Less Than $20,000; No Si/Type R Planed

The new Honda CR-Z will go on sale in the U.S. on August 24th, with a starting price of under $20,000 reports InsideLine. Unfortunately the car will not be eligible for a federal tax credit. Apparently the rules state that only 60,000 tax credits for hybrids are allowed per automaker and Honda spokesman Chuck Schifsky told IL that Honda passed that mark several years ago. Honda is able to offer the car for so little because of the less-sophisticated nickle-metal hydride battery used (rather than a lithium-ion one).

At that price range Honda intents to target buyers aged 25-35, although initial reports from Japan suggest the car is a bigger hit with an older demographic.

Sadly, for performance enthusiasts who might be attracted to the CR-Z’s small size and styling, Honda says a higher performance Si or Type R model is not in the plans. John Mendel, Honda’s VP of sales wasn’t exactly forceful on the point, however, commenting that there’s “nothing official” in the product plans. There are also no plans for a pure electric model, with Honda holding the belief that for some applications EVs will work, but that for normal use in the U.S., Honda just doesn’t see an EV catching on – at least with the current range capabilities.

Honda’s new CR-Z makes 122-hp and 128 ft-lbs of torque from a 1.5-liter gasoline engine mated to an electric motor, using Honda’s Integrate Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system. Fuel economy is expected to reach 31/37-mpg (city/highway) for the 6-speed manual and 35/39-mpg for the CVT automatic.

Article Found At: Honda CR-Z to Cost Less Than $20,000; No Si/Type R Planed | AutoGuide.com News

[VTEC Mini]

August 24th is the day after my birthday!

No SI or Type R.................. Thats disapointing. I wonder why not.

[MikeCR-Z]

I suspect Honda will reconsider that choice if the CR-Z sells the way it has been in the JDM and EDM markets.

[VTEC Mini]

I hope so. I just understand why the Si or Type R is available everywhere else but the U.S. I know for myself, it would be a lock in. It is a great, beautiful looking car inside and out and if it had the engine to match it would be a hot seller.

Chrysler and Ford tried something similar by building an off beat, great looking, Retro type, sport vehicle and failed because of not being able to match the looks to performance and that was the Prowler and the Thunderbird.

Like I said before, I will try it before I give up on it- who knows, I might be surprised.

[dragon]

Buy the USA Today article on page 6B

[bizzybear]

Nice!!! Was sorta taken off track mentally to get the CR-Z but at that price I might just pick one up for sure...

[Scott Si]

Starting price at $19.2k + $750 dest. EX bumps it up $1560. Navi costs $1800 more.

Link from Autoblog. Link

[TCroly]

Honda USA has announced official pricing for the CRZ today.
$19,200 to $23,210 plus $750 delivery

The complete prices posted here:
" 2011 Honda CR-Z Debuts at $19,950 on August 24" Edmunds Daily


I see this as very agressive pricing for the US market. All other world markets are paying much more.

[bizzybear]

i heard the car was launched in the US

[CRX-SiRT]

Yes, it has finally made it to US shores. I can't wait for it to make it to Miami