Honda CR-Z Turbo gets fast tracked - report

Honda CR-Zs at SEMA 2010

Could be unveiled in December

According to a recent report, Honda has fast tracked production of the CR-Z Turbo.

Details are limited, but Autocar is citing unnamed sources who say the model is an urgent priority as CR-Z sales are declining as buyers are finding the car's sporty styling isn't backed up by meaningful performance.

While the CR-Z is currently offered with a hybridized 1.5-liter engine with 122 hp (91 kW / 124 PS), the turbocharged variant is expected to use a 1.6-liter that produces 160 hp (119 kW / 162 PS) and 200 hp (149 kW / 203 PS). This will certainly add some much needed pep, but it remains to be seen if consumers will give the car a second chance.

A debut could occur as soon as the Tokyo Motor Show, but nothing is official as of yet.

Source: AutoCar

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MTC

Aww, no more VTEC KICK IN YO! only turbo kick in yo

January 17, 2011 3:17 pm

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Hellbound

200bhp would have been fine at launch. Now it's been a while, people expect more and expect something special. Mugen @ 240bhp and less weight.

January 17, 2011 3:20 pm

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badaboom

it is about time that honda makes something special, they used to be great on small sport cars segment, insight and all that hybrid mumbo jumbo are ok but for me honda is synonim with small sport cars

January 17, 2011 7:28 pm

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9TNine

I really don't know what Honda are doing. Think all Japanese manufacturers are becoming complacent. The CRZ was always a performance, sporty car so when they launch the new one ? it is hybrid only! Only NOW they want to launch the sport version! Hellooooo! Same with the Insight. Honda first developed the Hybrid then lost the plot (to Toyota). The next Insight was a half-hearted, some call "Biblically terrible", attempt so it failed miserably, even after hastily suspension and interior trim revisions (which should have been sorted before launch). IMO prefer that new Korean Veloster over this.

January 18, 2011 3:57 am

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badaboom

i am not really sure about the veloster, but i am hoping Honda remember an old nimble small sport car named CR-X ..oouuhhh that old good days when honda is still honda

January 18, 2011 5:39 am

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Microice

The Japanese car makers gave the game away when they started focusing on making small irritating cars and no peformance models. I doubt the turbo model will revive the CRZ name, we already see it as an even more ugly but smaller Honda Insight.

January 18, 2011 6:54 am

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It used to be about the "Power of Dreams"... and you could see the passion in just about every car they made, from the humble beat, the ubiquitous civic, to the legendary nsx. Now the dreams have all but vanished. Its just nightmare after nightmare... Someone please sack the product planning dept, because obviously they just dont get it. Why build emotion-less cars that they wouldnt even consider buying??

January 18, 2011 8:00 am

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Douglas6250

I kinda agree with you QJ. But I think we do have to appreciate Honda's efforts. In today's motor world, when it is necessary to come up with eco-friendly cars, Honda has done a really good job. Usually cars that are fun and full of emotion / passion don't mix with the term "green", but with "the power of dreams", Honda has pulled them together, in the form of CR-Z, or even the Honda Fit. To be honest probably we think the CR-Z is too soft and slow because Honda's used to and capable of building fire breathing Type R cars !! I appreciate Honda's efforts. Hope that this turbo CR-Z would do well !!

January 18, 2011 1:42 pm

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N20_Purge

Finally, the CRZ looks sporty, but it is quite slow. This car needs more power!

January 18, 2011 9:34 am

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GTurbo

I hear you QJ! What's a Honda without VTEC? New product delays and production version disappointments now pervades all things Honda. The Acura department practically has no European (at least UK) profile and it's a real shame. Now the ad spin reads more like the 'Power of Dweebs'!

January 18, 2011 11:14 am

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joelynn

the car needs a range of engines this should be the mid-range with a 200bhp range topper

January 18, 2011 4:36 pm

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Captain Scarlett

I guess we're not quite ready to accept electric power, and 'save the planet' mentality. This car should have been so much more, maybe now it will be.

January 18, 2011 7:30 pm

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