Honda has stayed competitive with Toyota over the past decade in developing hybrid technology thanks to the Insight and the Civic Hybrid. The Japanese automaker highlighted a new member of its hybrid family called the CR-Z Sport Hybrid at the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). The CR-Z Sport Hybrid is a two-seat hybrid coupe intended for release in summer 2010. Honda promoted the CR-Z Sport Hybrid as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) by the standards of the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
The CR-Z Sport Hybrid features a 100V NiMH battery pack, a 10kW electric motor and a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine. Honda stated at NAIAS that the electric motor is used as a generator during braking and full stops, thereby reducing fuel use during acceleration. Honda will offer the CR-Z Sport Hybrid with a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT) or an optional six-speed manual transmission. The CR-Z Sport Hybrid can achieve 38 miles per gallon city with the CVT and 31 miles per gallon city with the manual transmission.
Honda built a three-mode drive system into the CR-Z Sport Hybrid to accommodate different driving styles. This sport coupe starts in Normal Mode with Eco scoring available to keep drivers updated on their impact on the environment. The Econ mode allows the vehicle to reduce power to the air conditioner and focus motor and engine operation on fuel efficiency rather than power. The CR-Z Sport Hybrid can also operate in Sport Mode with the engine, motor and handling geared toward power rather than fuel economy. Drivers will notice that their tachometers change color from green (Econ mode) to red (Sport Mode) depending on projected fuel economy.
While it is great that Honda is adding another hybrid to its fleet, the projected fuel mileage has to be a disappointment to green vehicle advocates. Honda would get a pass for a sub-40 MPG hybrid if this were the first hybrid in its fleet. The automaker falls short of advancing its hybrid technology with the CR-Z Sport Hybrid considering its decade of designing and producing hybrids. Given the practicality of the Insight and the Civic Hybrid, Honda’s entrance into the sports car market seems to be a step in the wrong direction. Instead of a two-seat coupe aimed at sports car enthusiasts, Honda should be focused on hybrid vehicles that could be sold to a broader group of consumers.
