Banking on its "wow" factor the Honda CR-Z packs a big punch from the word go. It's not so much of the power it contains, but more of the pick up that gives you the stir feeling.
The Honda CR-Z hybrid concept is designed to look outstanding. Design wise, there are loose hints of the Insight. But as you will soon discover, the LED headlights, body lines, and dash are kind enough on the eyes and needless to say, all this is accomplished with a ride quality that is among the very best today.
So let me get straight to it.
Exterior
The fascia, despite its huge air intakes and slick headlamps, does not come close to looking as fierce as some of its competitors. The bonnet curves downwards to the air intakes, making it apparent right away that the CR-Z worships wind tunnels, with a shape that looks carved to cut through the air with the least resistance.
Viewing the car from the side, the CR-Z is shorter than the Insight and is set lower to the ground given the stature of the car. The sharp lines and refined detailing add on to the futuristic appeal of the car's outlook and it's simply the stunning result of taking a very different road.
Round the back, distinctive triangular-like shaped taillamps adorn it and tinted windows at the back seat plays a styling role. Smooth lift-up door handles are a fresh look and are also a nice break from the usual, truck-like versions that have become expected even on small cars.
The Honda CR-Z hybrid concept is designed to look outstanding. Design wise, there are loose hints of the Insight. But as you will soon discover, the LED headlights, body lines, and dash are kind enough on the eyes and needless to say, all this is accomplished with a ride quality that is among the very best today.
So let me get straight to it.
Exterior
The fascia, despite its huge air intakes and slick headlamps, does not come close to looking as fierce as some of its competitors. The bonnet curves downwards to the air intakes, making it apparent right away that the CR-Z worships wind tunnels, with a shape that looks carved to cut through the air with the least resistance.
Viewing the car from the side, the CR-Z is shorter than the Insight and is set lower to the ground given the stature of the car. The sharp lines and refined detailing add on to the futuristic appeal of the car's outlook and it's simply the stunning result of taking a very different road.
Round the back, distinctive triangular-like shaped taillamps adorn it and tinted windows at the back seat plays a styling role. Smooth lift-up door handles are a fresh look and are also a nice break from the usual, truck-like versions that have become expected even on small cars.
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Interior
The CR-Z's cabin is a mixed bag. It offers a superb, low sporty driving position and impressive seat support. But not everyone will appreciate the busy cabin design. I somehow did not. Despite its large, futuristic-style speedometer as well as other features such as the paddle shifts, the overall finish looks a little cheap and was definitely not to my liking.
Speaking of futuristic speedometers, the speedometer ring also changes colour (red, blue or green) to suit the available three driving modes that comes standard. This is just one of several neat gizmos that monitor your driving style. Dashboard buttons give you the choice of Sport, Normal and Econ, which alter settings for the throttle feel, transmission and electric power-steering depending on how you want to drive. How did they pull that off?
With mechanical wizardry, mainly.
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Sport mode simultaneously increases steering weight, sharpens the throttle response and allows more of the battery's output to power the car. On the other hand, Econ mode has softer acceleration and steering and reduces air-conditioning. Normal mode exists somewhere between the two. But in all honesty, I felt little or no difference between the Econ mode and the Normal mode. To confirm which mode you have selected, the dashboard backlighting changes from red, through blue, to green.
Unfortunately, alike some coupe cabriolets in the market, the minimalist rear seats are practical shopping carriers, but unsuitable for humans with the usual quotient of limbs. On the plus side, the boot is reasonably commodious and can easily haul a couple of suitcases. Although the rear seats can be folded down to make the load space even bigger, I was unable to see the space for myself due to the plastic wrapping.
Unfortunately, alike some coupe cabriolets in the market, the minimalist rear seats are practical shopping carriers, but unsuitable for humans with the usual quotient of limbs. On the plus side, the boot is reasonably commodious and can easily haul a couple of suitcases. Although the rear seats can be folded down to make the load space even bigger, I was unable to see the space for myself due to the plastic wrapping.
Drive
Up front, the 1.5-litre hybrid feels punchy. With a maximum power and torque of 113bhp and 144Nm respectively, the car can be quite fun to drive from the word go, with more torque than you know what to do with but not enough aural appeal to win over other sports car fanatic. The acceleration and effortless progress are simply par for the course in such a car.
Through the twists and turns of some entertaining roads, the car felt nimble, and there's a consistent, linear feel to the steering and turn-in. Yet ultimately, it's predictable and safe rather than thrilling. The experience is, however, marred by a fair degree of understeer and body roll, and there's an unpleasant on/off torque reaction to the handling in Sport mode.
Up front, the 1.5-litre hybrid feels punchy. With a maximum power and torque of 113bhp and 144Nm respectively, the car can be quite fun to drive from the word go, with more torque than you know what to do with but not enough aural appeal to win over other sports car fanatic. The acceleration and effortless progress are simply par for the course in such a car.
Through the twists and turns of some entertaining roads, the car felt nimble, and there's a consistent, linear feel to the steering and turn-in. Yet ultimately, it's predictable and safe rather than thrilling. The experience is, however, marred by a fair degree of understeer and body roll, and there's an unpleasant on/off torque reaction to the handling in Sport mode.
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Conclude
There is no doubt in my mind that this 1.5-litre engine is a class of its own creation and at a price of $88,800 (as of 14 June 2010), true luxury comes with a price, albeit now affordably.
But if you're looking for a two-seater car that can go vroom-vroom at a touch of the gas pedal, I reckon it'll be wiser to work out the options as there are other better choices available out there.
There is no doubt in my mind that this 1.5-litre engine is a class of its own creation and at a price of $88,800 (as of 14 June 2010), true luxury comes with a price, albeit now affordably.
But if you're looking for a two-seater car that can go vroom-vroom at a touch of the gas pedal, I reckon it'll be wiser to work out the options as there are other better choices available out there.
