Hotter CR-Z confirmed... again

[Varmint]

Hotter CR-Z confirmed... again

WongKN over at Temple of Vtec Asia got yet another confirmation that Honda is working on a beefed up version of the CR-Z. No details, of course. But it is good to know HMC is still planning to bolster the CR-Z's sporting credentials at some point in the future.

Higher Performance CR-Z in the Works

[SS2CRZ]

Good find, Varmint! (but your avatar scares me sometimes...)

Honda needs to put something with some balls on the road...it's been too long already (and they just axed the S2000 3 model years ago).

I think most of us would be happy with 200 HP and 175 TQ. They need to make an Si model with just those specs! I'm sure the natural disasters earlier this year shook the company to it's core--but it's good to see positive news coming out of Japan--even if it is still a "vague rumor".

For me, I'm glad to see that Hondata released a FlashPro kit for the CR-Z. Hopefully, they will release another version with a SLIGHT IMA power boost. Those re-flashes, coupled with Intake, Header, Exhaust, Catless Midpipe should make this car a lot more ballsy. Oh, I almost forgot...a $120 set of Denso Iridium Spark Plugs!

[sleighman]

[Kyleseghatch]

The Decmber issue of Modified Magazine swears up and down that Honda promised the newest CR-Z will come with a 1.6L Turbo.... I call BS?

[jcramin]

Honda CR-Z Type-R Finally Coming? | NextCars.net | Future Cars, Fast Cars, New Cars, Cool Cars, Hot Cars

Honda is reluctant to admit they ruined CR-Z’s amazing design by giving it only 120 hp. But they have shown their interest in a more powerful version of the car with a couple of Mugen Concepts.

But they were adamant those concepts will never be produced. Those cars in fact were designed to pave the road for a Type-R CR-Z. And it seems that it’s finally on its way.

A magazine close to Honda has revealed that the hotted-up CR-Z has been given the nudge from the top brass. As for the technicalities, the car will get the same hybrid powertrain with the electric motor intact, but the internal combustion engine supercharged. The output will be close to 200 bhp which is still nothing to brag about, but a damn sight better than 120.

As it’s the case with Type-R Hondas, it’ll also get beefed up suspension, bigger wheels and brakes, and a body kit as well as some interior tweaks.

Now if you are thinking what is the point of a sporty eco car, it is actually brilliant because even if you drive like a complete maniac, it’ll still be like 50 percent more economical than a normal petrol powered car. So your fun lasts longer!

via: Vtec.net

[Varmint]

Originally Posted by SS2CRZ

Good find, Varmint! (but your avatar scares me sometimes...)

That's okay. No matter how many times I see yours I still try (and fail) to read what Homer is saying.

There are so many options out there, I have no idea what Honda might have up their sleeve. The first reliable place I heard about the hotter Z was in this article from Autocar. Note, the author credits Tomohiko Kawanabe (R&D Cheif) not Norio Tomobe (the CR-Z's Large Project Leader). The article also provides this quote:

“It will not be acceptable for the new car to be less fuel efficient than the current one,” Kawanabe said. “The CR-Z must deliver low CO2 emissions, as well as be fun to drive.”

That quote made me think we'd get a 140-160 hp car with the same basic engine only more advanced VTEC to raise the redline near 8K. Meaning that all the power would be at the screaming top end of things. However, you could still drive it like a sedate little hybrid to hit your 40+ mpg commuting goal.

The quote also made me think a turbo is out of the question. Turbo-charging just isn't going to be green enough. But then Mugen goes and produces a highly visible concept car using a turbo. Given that Mugen products are often a test-bed for the ideas Honda is contemplating sorta gives the turbo plan a smidgeon of credibility.

Until us Americans get into to the fray with that super-charged engine that Shawn Church over at ToV is all giddy about. (<< Completely not true. I just think the mental image of Shawn acting giddy is fun.) Super-charging would likely mean less total output, but I suspect it's more tunable for Honda's efficiency goals.

[human668]

^ The Mugen CR-Z concept is also suprcharged not turbo. With HKS and HPD both have been using supercharged for adding power to CR-Z. There are tons of testing and research has been done and shown it can work. And two of those companies are closely related to Honda. If HPD is hungry for money, they can release a supercharged kit. I see a market for it outside of Japan.

[Varmint]

You're right. I guess I confused the Mugen with the Thunderhill CR-Zs.

[Klasse Act]

IMO turbo's are all about mpg if you stop and think about it, less throttle to get the car moving if you don't put your foot in it the mpg is there for the taking. I had a 2007 MCS and it got almost 40 mpg using a 1.6L turbo but that car/engine was VERY unreliable and not tuned like the JCW, that one went from 172/177 to 208/192 IIRC, same engine though. I drove the JCW and what a difference it was over my car! I bet Honda would do a MUCH better job than BMW/Puegot did with their engine.....DO IT HONDA!

[Kyleseghatch]

It all makes me kinda sad I didn't wait to get my CR-Z. But at the same time I love driving it now when not that many people have it.