2013 Audi A3

Just What the 2011 Honda CR-Z Needed: A Turbo

 
3 1,097 views Dec 6, 2010

mugen-2011-honda-cr-z_100307164_s.jpgEnlarge Photo


The 2011 Honda CR-Z was promised to be the world's first sports hybrid. It was something that had never been done before, and still really hasn't, because the CR-Z just isn't exceedingly sporty, or exceedingly economical. Nine seconds to 60 mph is a number that could be laughed at by many mid-size sedans.

If a college kid is going to buy a sporty Honda, they aren't going to be too concerned about saving the environment. They want something that has an insanely high redline with bulletproof reliability. They want a successor to the college classic: the CRX Si. Tons of kids are seen buzzing around in tuned versions of the CRX. Honda has tried and tried to claim that the 2011 Honda CR-Z isn't a successor, but the shape and the name are too similar to be a mistake.

Thankfully, a worthy successor might be on the way.

According to Autocar, Honda may be swapping out the CR-Z's electric motor for a turbocharger in the near future. More specifically, a 1.6-liter, turbocharged VTEC-i engine is in development in Japan for a number of Hondas, including the CR-Z. This means that one of the best naturally-aspirated engines in the world might start generating the low-end grunt it has always needed. The normal version of this engine is expected to produce around 160 horsepower, but there is also rumor of a 200-horsepower version that could be premiering in a CR-Z Type R.

If this all makes it to the United States, there may be a new king of the import world. College kids rejoice.

[Autocar]





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Comments (3)

  1. By george vroege Posted: 12/6/2010 11:04am PST

    Why only 1600cc. Why not the 2000cc si motor with turbo? Power and good looks, got to love it.
     
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  2. By Peter Posted: 12/6/2010 11:42am PST

    "Tons of kids are seen buzzing around in tuned versions of the CRX. "
    My God. What age are you talking about? I doubt there're many 'clean' ones for modifications. And those available prob. demand a sizable premium. Nowadays kids are more interested in phones and connectivity, and more important, dirt poor. Don't kid yourself.
     
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  3. By Patrick Posted: 12/8/2010 10:08am PST

    Do 0-60 times tell us how much fun a car is to drive? Do you also live your life a quarter mile at a time?
     
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