The CR-Z: Honda's fun little hybrid

Honda may have come up with the first fun hybrid car. The Insight, Prius, Camry, and Fusion are all very practical hybrids, and Lexus makes a few comfortable cruisers. But the 2011 Honda CR-Z made us want to drive fast. We wanted to find the most winding road around and torture the car through the corners.

Honda obliged during our preview drive, prescribing a twisty route north of San Francisco we've previously used to test the BMW M3, Porsche 911, and Audi R8. Those cars had it all over the CR-Z for power and speed, but the plucky little CR-Z showed its stuff in the turns. Honda also set out an autocross course so we could really thrash the CR-Z, a test that we haven't previously seen a hybrid put through.

The CR-Z certainly has its quirks. In other markets it is produced with 2+2 seating, but Honda removed the rear seats for the U.S., launching it as a two-seater. We assume Honda thinks Americans are too fat to use the tiny rear seats. We're not going to argue the point.

The CR-Z's hatchback design means it offers decent cargo space in back; removing the rear seats adds an oddly formed cargo area immediately behind the front seats, the two spaces divided by the former rear seat back rest.

MUGEN Honda CR-Z Also Revealed

In addition to yesterday's leaked brochure shots containing official photos and details of the production version of the 2011 Honda CR-Z, a new scan featuring the JDM MUGEN variant escaped today onto Japanese automotive forums.

The new photo shows Honda's hybrid-coupe in full MUGEN body ware with a new grille treatment, chunkier side skirts, front apron, large rear wing, a new rear bumper incorporating a diffuser and newly designed alloy wheels.



We assume that, like most MUGEN proposals, the complete package for the 2011 CR-Z will also include numerous other upgrades such as suspension and brake kits, a sport exhaust system and interior options. The new Honda CR-Z will be launched in its home market in February 2010.

Honda CR-Z, Fit Hybrid production in 2010

A good news for the automotive industry, Honda has confirmed what's been suspected for some time: the Honda CR-Z is coming next year and the Fit Hybrid will be released in late 2010.

The CR-Z, a sporty hybrid inspired by the CRX and unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2007, will go on sale in Japan this February, with the Fit Hybrid hitting shores across the Pacific later next year. Honda hasn't explicitly announced whether the two models will be available in the States, but we'd expect a formal announcement when the production CR-Z and Fit Hybrid debut at the Tokyo Motor Show this October.