Auto Tech: Honda’s CR-Z Hybrid

By Jim Kerr

Photo Gallery:
2011 Honda CR-Z

See a hybrid vehicle and you probably automatically think of fuel economy. The hybrids currently on the market do enhance fuel economy by using a combination of gasoline engines and electric motors, but hybrids can also be built for performance. Electric motors produce strong torque at low speeds, while gasoline engines typically need higher rpm to reach maximum torque. Combine these two characteristics in the right proportions and you can have a vehicle that can put performance sports cars to shame. Unfortunately, for the enthusiast, hybrids have had limited transmission choices, and although efficient, they have been more utilitarian than sporty. That has now changed with the introduction of Honda’s CR-Z.

The CR-Z is a compact two-seater sports coupe. The curb weight of only 1,205 kilograms definitely helps performance, as it is the power-to-weight ratio that makes a vehicle quick rather than just brute horsepower. But there is more to making a sporty car than just acceleration. Shifting is one of those factors, and to make the CR-Z fun, Honda has made this hybrid vehicle available with a manual transmission.

There are two types of hybrid drives now on the market. The first type, pioneered by Toyota in the Prius and with similar designs used by other manufacturers, has a gasoline engine combined with an “automatic transmission” that uses two electric motors in the transmission. By varying the speeds and direction of the electric motors, the transmission can provide variable gear ratios as the vehicle accelerates. This type of transmission is also capable of propelling the vehicle on electric power alone with the gas engine turned off.

The other type of hybrid drive on the market is used by Honda, and called IMA or Integrated Motor Assist. This system has a thin, powerful electric motor that uses the gasoline engine flywheel as the rotor for the electric motor, with computer-controlled electro-magnetic windings around the circumference. Theoretically, this type of hybrid electric motor could propel the car by itself, but because the gasoline engine flywheel is part of the electric motor, the gas engine crankshaft has to turn all the time. Instead, Honda uses the electric motor to assist the gas engine as required. During deceleration, the computer controls can deactivate the gas engine valve train so the electric motor can operate as a generator with minimal drag from the gas engine.

Honda’s IMA system is the one that best offers the versatility of adding a manual transmission to the mix. Because the electric motor is built around the engine flywheel, any type of transmission could be bolted up to the engine. Honda has used a CVT automatic transmission on other hybrid models because the continuously variable gear ratios aid fuel economy. Now the CR-Z hybrid has a six-speed manual transmission as standard equipment, although the CVT is optional too.

The hybrid system and manual transmission work well together. Because electric motors produce great low-speed torque, it makes pulling away from a stop sign a breeze. The clutch is easy to modulate and it never feels like the gas engine is about to stall. With maximum torque between 1,000 and 1,500 rpm, the transmission can be shifted into a higher gear than you normally would if the car had just a gasoline engine. An upshift arrow on the dash indicates when you should shift up for maximum fuel economy and the car will drive smoothly in sixth gear at only 50 km/h!

The manual transmission still has AutoStop just like the automatic transmission models. As the car comes to a stop, if operating parameters are met, the engine will stop. The electric motor instantly restarts the motor as soon as the transmission is shifted through neutral into another gear. It takes a change in driving habits to make the Autostop feature work. Instead of shifting to first gear when sitting at a traffic light, leave the transmission in a higher gear and only shift to first when you want to go. The engine restarts as soon as first gear is selected.

Press the CR-Z Sport mode button on the dash and the computer operates the hybrid system for sporty performance. The six-speed manual gearbox really adds to the sporty feel and performance of the car and it would feel right at home on a twisty road cutting a few apexes. Honda has proven that hybrids can be economical and provide sporty, fun performance too.
Jim Kerr is a master automotive mechanic and teaches automotive technology. He has been writing automotive articles for fifteen years for newspapers and magazines in Canada and the United States, and is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC).

Source;
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2010/10/06/auto-tech-honda%E2%80%99s-cr-z-hybrid.htm

HKS working on supercharger for Honda CR-Z Hybrid

The CR-Z has officially landed at dealerships and I got to say, it looks even better in person!
While we have yet to get behind the 2011 Honda CR-Z, we’re pretty sure that the 122-hp 1.5L i-VTEC mated to Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system isn’t anything that’s going to blow us away in terms of performance.

No matter how sporty Honda may want the CR-Z to be – at the end of the day – it’s still a hybrid vehicle.

Well, lucky for all the true Honda CR-Z (CR-X) fans, HKS Power is working on a supercharger system for the hybrid hatchback that should deliver a nice increase in performance and… a very awkward sound, check out the video after the jump to see what we’re talking about.

Refresher: The 2011 Honda CR-Z is powered by a 1.5L i-VTEC mated to Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system. It produces a total of 122-hp and a maximum torque of 128 lb-ft. When mated to a 6-speed manual, the CR-Z returns an EPA-estimated 31/37/34 mpg (city/highway/combined). With the CVT transmission, the CR-Z returns 35/39/37 mpg.

Source;
http://www.egmcartech.com/2010/08/14/hks-working-on-supercharger-for-honda-cr-z-hybrid/

2011 Honda CR-Z Development Video

Here's a great video on how Honda came up with the CR-Z....

Honda's latest is sexy, green and an Internet hit

The 2010 Honda CR-Z hybrid coupe is one of the most eagerly anticipated new cars, so much so that a Japanese consumer brochure has been leaked and posted on the Internet, where it's drawn hundreds of thousands of hits.

The manufacturer seems out to prove that green cars can also be sexy in the looks department. The final design is much the same as the concept version revealed last year, with some minor changes not immediately evident in the brochure.

The brochure reveals that the CR-Z is powered by a gas-fuelled 1.5-litre i-VTEC internal combustion engine that produces 114 hp at 6,000 revs as well as 145Nm of torque at 4,800 revs. The engine operates with a 14-hp electric motor with an output 78Nm of torque, matched to a six-speed manual transmission.

The CR-Z is expected to go on sale in Japan by February 2010, shortly before its launch in other major world markets.

-Viridian Joule hardly rolls off the tongue but in an online contest by General Motors, it garnered more than 3,000 votes as the signature colour for the new Chevy Volt electric/ gas car set for launch next year.

It also won the man who came up with the paint name, David Thomas of Florida, the first opportunity to drive a pre-production version of the new family sedan.

"I looked at the photo of the Volt on the contest website and thought it looked emerald in color, which led to jewel and then to an alternate yet appropriate play on that word -joule [a unit of electrical energy]," said 40-year-old Thomas.

Chevrolet also selected "EVergreen," offered by Devin McQuarrie, 30, and "environMINT," entered by Matthew Valbuena, 30, both of California.

"When our Volt marketing materials arrive in dealerships, you'll see 'Viridian Joule'as the official name of the silver exterior with an emerald hue," said Maria Rohrer, Global Volt and Global Marketing Director at Chevrolet.

The Chevy Volt is an electric vehicle capable of driving up to 100 kms between fill-ups on electricity. When the Volt's lithium-ion battery is depleted, an engine/generator operates to extend the range to about 480 kilometres before refueling or recharging is necessary.

-Fiesta Movement agents and their Twitter friends gathered at the Palladium in West Hollywood to set a new Guinness World Record for the "most attendees at a tweetup"

A tweetup is any gathering of two or more people who know each other through Twitter, and this unprecedented event brought together Fiesta Movement agents and Twitter friends.

Ford's Fiesta Movement Awards Celebration provided attendees with a sneak peek of the North American Fiesta.

100 young folks are test driving and living with a European-spec Ford Fiesta for six months, travelling as agents on special missions. They then go on to relate their experiences through a variety of social media sites.

These agents -picked from online contestants across the U.S.-have travelled more than 2.25 million kilometres and generated more than 6 million YouTube views, nearly 740,000 Flickr views and more than 3.7 million Twitter impressions of the car.

"Time and again, our Fiesta Movement agents have shown how social media, adventurous spirit and unbridled enthusiasm can bring people together in new, exciting ways," said Connie Fontaine, Ford brand content and alliances manager. "Never before has a group of car owners created such a sustained buzz for a new car."

Source;
http://www.kelowna.com/2009/12/11/hondas-latest-is-sexy-green-and-an-internet-hit/

Temple of Vtec; Leaked: Official Japanese Brochure for CR-Z!

We just received the following email from one of our followers in Japan. Contained within are a number of photos of the official CR-Z Brochure, which were posted on various Japanese websites.

From what we can see, here are some of the specs: Length: 4080 mm (160.6 in.) Width: 1740 mm (68.5 in.) Height: 1395 mm (54.9 in.) Wheelbase: 2435 mm (95.9 in.) Engine: 1.5L i-VTEC + IMA Transmission: 6MT or CVT Power (ICE): 114ps@6000RPM Torque (ICE): 145 NM (107 lb-ft)@4800RPM Power (IMA): 14ps@1500RPM Torque (IMA): 78 NM (57 lb-ft)@1000RPM 0-100km/hr (0-62mph): 9.7 sec

Also notice the emphasis of LED lighting - in addition to the typical wing mirror indicators, it appears that the CR-Z will feature LED running lamps in the headlight cluster (pic 4).

UPDATE: In the comments below aznstuart has pointed out that the chart in pic 8 seems to indicate that the CR-Z will be offered in two versions, alpha and beta, with the alpha version apparently being a non-hybrid. . Upon taking a second look at the chart, it appears that while there will be alpha and beta trim levels, all trim levels will feature the IMA system (thanks danielgr).

Source;
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=866814

Upcoming Honda CR-Z will be hybrid only

I thought that the Honda CR-Z was going to be just a hybrid model and this confirms it.

The upcoming Honda CR-Z will be fitted with nothing other than a hybrid powertrain, emphasizing the company’s resolve for the CR-Z to remain a beacon of green technology. The CR-Z is a compact sports coupe reminiscent of the CR-X of the 1990s.

It is expected to be launched with a 1.5 i-VTEC petrol unit with 120bhp, mated to a 14bhp electric motor. Honda said that the CR-Z won’t be getting a sister model that will be equipped with a conventional combustion engine. This is a grand gesture from Honda since the CR-Z is intended to rival the Mini Cooper and VW Scirocco. Despite reports to the contrary, the CR-Z is meant to only be a hybrid. In fact the car is designed all around a hybrid powertrain. The car has a shortened Insight platform, with combined Jazz and Civic parts, and is fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox

2009 Tokyo Auto Show Preview: 'Near Production' Ready Honda CR-Z

One of the most highly-anticipated new model releases scheduled to debut at next month's Tokyo Motor Show would have to be the production version of Honda's CR-Z hybrid hatchback. That's not happening. Instead, we're getting a concept version of the production car. First unveiled at the Tokyo show back in 2007 in pure concept form, the sporty two-passenger CR-Z is slated for production early next year in Japan. We expect the CR-Z to hit the States sometime thereafter.

Underhood will be a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to Honda's proprietary Integrated Motor Assist technology. Also on the menu will be a six-speed manual (yes!) gearbox that will surely be a more entertaining partner for driving enthusiasts than the CVT used in the Insight hatchback.

While Honda is still calling the Tokyo-bound 2009 version of the CR-Z a concept, it's clearly one of those concept-in-name-only deals. Don't expect the attractive sheetmetal to be altered before the car hits the showroom floor, and that interior is pretty much the same one you'll be able to sample in 2010. That's fine by us – the car's wedge-shaped lines are very attractive and call to mind the seminal CRX from the early 1980s, though with a modern flavor reminiscent of the current Insight.

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/tokyo-preview-near-production-honda-cr-z-concept-unveiled/

2011 Honda CRZ Pic

Staying pretty close to the concept below....but I gotta say it looks a lot nicer than the concept.
Source;
http://www.burlappcars.com/2009/09/2011-honda-cr-z.html

Honda may introduce 2 new hybrid sports cars in the near future

Above is the upcoming CRZ hybrid....

Here is a joint venture (chinese company) prototype of something that could pass as a S2000 replacement....

Following the introduction of the second generation Insight, Honda has recommitted itself to developing hybrid drive vehicles. We now have the Civic and Insight in North America and Japan will soon have a Fit hybrid as well. Honda has also confirmed that a production version of the CR-Z concept will arrive within the next year as a hybrid coupe. It's being reported that the production CR-Z may have a 2.5-liter four cylinder engine with direct injection. If true, that would be Honda's first direct injected production engine.

A second new sporty hybrid could be a successor to the soon to be discontinued S2000 roadster. If Japan's Best Car magazine is to be believed, the car they refer to as FF-S2000 will be powered by Honda's 3.5-liter V6. it will apparently also use Honda's all wheel drive system. The FF-S2000 may even use a flywheel based KERS (kinetic energy recovery system) like those developed for Formula 1 to provide a further performance boost. It's not known if KERS would be used in addition to or in lieu of Honda's IMA hybrid system. Unfortunately, we have no confirmation of any of this at this point.

Source;

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/05/24/honda-may-introduce-2-new-hybrid-sports-cars-in-the-near-future/

TOV: Mag-X brings some 2012 Civic and 2011 CR-Z info to light

This is straight from Temple of Vtec....
TOV Reader Frank Oppermann sent in this scan from the pages of the June.09 issue of Mag-X. I bounced them back across the Atlantic to danielgr, our resident multilingual specialist and he provided a quick rundown on the contents of these pages. He will provide more details (if there are any) after he has had more time to review what's said. Following is the e-mail response from Daniel:

Hi Jeff, Right now I don't have the time, nor the required dictionary to really go through it, but I can tell you what they are talking about in short.

Top-left is the CR-Z picture (the 21st century CR-X), from which they say: - 1.5L engine with both CVT and 6MT available.
- Monthly target sales : 850 JP, 2500 Europe, 1500 North America.
- Expect to see a production prototype in this year's Tokyo Motor Show.
- Expect an introduction in early 2010

The rest, the main article, is about the next-generation Civic.
- (warning) Not 100% sure, but it seems that there will be a "Japanese version" with a body in between a 3box (sedan) and 2 box (hatch).

The internationally sold Hybrid will have that "unique" (outside Japan) body. Otherwise, Europe will keep on having hatches developed within the Fit platform, and NA their traditional sedan and coupe.

- The hybrid will be THE Honda going head to head with the Prius, and use a 1.5L engine + motor ( I guess they are guessing it will be pretty close to the CR-Z unit...).

- Expect new Civics to arrive in 2011.

The old picture of the 72 Civic echoes their comments on the supposed "unique" styling of the "new JDM Civic". They say that at the time Honda surprised Japan with a 2 box FF car when Corollas and Sunny's were 3box FR sedans. So basically it's something like : "Honda did it again" (i.e. find their own original way).

I won't be able to tell you accurately about the part marked with with "warning" until tonight. They also say something about the TypeR, but I understand it sooooo roughly that I won't say anything about it.

Source;
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=831062

Honda's Ace in the Hole, The 2011 Honda CRZ Hybrid

Honda has something that Toyota doesn't and it just might be want Honda needs to outgun Toyota in the hybrid war between the two companies. What is this little something that Honda has? The 2011 Honda CRZ Hybrid.

The Honda CRZ is a two seat hybrid disguised in a sports car body or a sports car fitted with a hybrid powertrain. Though Honda wanted to make the CRZ in a gasoline version too, they decided to make it as a dedicated hybrid to be on par with hybrid offerings from Toyota.
The CRZ is powered by a 1.8 liter engine taken from the Civic. The engine is rated at 140hp, significantly higher than the Insight's 98 hp. The hybrid components will be nearly identical to that of the Insight to keep costs down and provide a working power train in a short amount of time.

The sporty nature of the CRZ comes from its light mass and relatively powerful engine. The CRZ will weigh in around 2,800 pounds. The Civic engine is a high revving mill and the electronic motors will provide ample low end torque. Combined with an optional manual transmission, a rarity in hybrids, and you have all the necessities for a sports car.
The pictures tell the story as the CRZ does not look like your typical hybrid. Its coupe body style and wedgy design make it stand out among hybrids. The name CRZ is derived from Honda's long gone and much loved 2 door coupe the CRX. Honda is hoping consumers will feel the same way about the styling and sporty nature and buy the CRZ not because it's a hybrid, but because the car is fun to drive and attractive to look at.

Source (orig. motortrend);
http://www.allcarselectric.com/blog/1020261_hondas-ace-in-the-hole-the-2011-honda-crz-hybrid

Honda CRZ Type R in the works?

Auto blogs have been buzzing over recently released photos of the Mugen-tuned Honda Insight. Some people love the massively winged, zero-lift hybrid, but most people (well, most Americans) can’t quite wrap their heads around the fact that someone would even want to tune a hybrid. If you are one of these people, you’d better strap on a helmet ‘cause we’re about to blow your mind.

It’s no secret that Honda is planning to follow its new Insight up with a production version of the CRX-like CR-Z two-seat hybrid. But thanks to a very well informed source, we’ve got a few new, never-before-released details about the car.

First, the production version of the CR-Z will make its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show this November and go on sale in Japan in December.

Got that helmet ready? ‘Cause here comes the mind-blowing part.

What’s got us both excited and curious is news that Honda is planning to make a CR-Z Type R. You read that correctly: a Type R hybrid.

The only thing we know about the CR-Z Type R is that it is supposed to launch in 2010. Unfortunately, this source can’t give us any details about just what will transform this standard CR-Z into a Type R. Will it be nothing more than a two-seat version of the Mugen Insight, meaning just a car with a functional aero kit and some wheels?

Will Honda take a cue from its Accord Hybrid and use the battery assist as a performance booster – like a battery-powered turbocharger – rather than use the electric motor to make the car as “green” as can be?

Or will Honda answer the tuning crowd’s prayers by ditching the hybrid powertrain completely to shove a K-series motor under the hood? Hybrid K20, perhaps?

We don’t know about you, the possibilities of a CR-Z Type R are getting us very excited. Honda is supposed to make an announcement regarding the Type R at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show.

Hopefully we’ll see at least a concept CR-Z Type R alongside the standard CR-Z at the show.

Source;

http://www.gtchannel.com/content.php?cid=55567

2011 Honda CRZ: 21st-Century CRX

Honda's CRZ hybrid coupe remains on track as a 2011 model, on sale in late 2010. Honda wants sports-car enthusiasts to buy it not because it's green, but because it's fun. The carmaker considered doing a non-hybrid version of the CRZ, but it desperately wants to be seen as a hybrid supplier on par with Toyota and believes it needs a range of dedicated hybrid-only models to achieve that.


So the CRZ gets a lively 140-horse, 1.8-liter Civic-derived engine. The IMA system -- motor, battery, electronics -- will be like the Insight's, as will the platform, to save cost. A senior engineer says, "It must be fun to drive, must remind you of the original CRX." And a manual gearbox will be offered. "CVT is fine for the market, mostly. But we are Honda! We must have a manual!"

As a two-seater, the CRZ's smaller body mass versus the Insight should make up for the weight of the bigger engine, brakes, and tires. So a 2800-pound total, with lots of electric-assist torque and a revvy gasoline engine, should make it the real deal as a pocket performance coupe.
Honda has trimmed back its sports cars. President Takeo Fukui said the company has canceled the Acura NSX replacement, though engineers say it may simply be deferred. And the rear-drive Acura range has been canceled. Honda is out of Formula 1. So the CRZ must be to Honda in the 2010s what the CRX was to Honda in the 1980s.

The other leg of Honda's small-car hybrid tripod, the Fit hybrid, also is going ahead for a '10 release. To give the Insight a lower overall height than the Fit, for reduced aero drag at highway speeds, the fuel tank was moved from under the front seats in the Fit to under the rear seats in the Insight. Speeds in the EPA test aren't high enough to make aerodynamics a factor, so the Fit hybrid may match the Insight's fuel economy label, and offer more space and versatility, for less money. It will interesting to see how the marketing guys handle that one.


Source;
http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2009/112_0904_2011_honda_crz/index.html