CR-Z is quite small + Close pics on the IMA + battery

[Purplegate]

The had a CR-Z cut in half at the North American International Auto Show (Detroit) exposing a lot of the content. The car is quite small. Interior is nice and quite up to date for the market it address. For those interested, I took some close pics of the system :


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[Cobb]

Whats your opinon? It seems larger than I imagined at least longer.

Seems to have a massive grill opening for a small non boosted engine. Could you see if the opening was a complete vent or partly blocked like our upper grills?

[hondachuck]

This one shows just how small the back "seat" area is..

[Cobb]

I assumed it was +2 or really a 3 door hatch back or sport version of the original insight.

[Purplegate]

Originally Posted by Cobb

Whats your opinon? It seems larger than I imagined at least longer.

Seems to have a massive grill opening for a small non boosted engine. Could you see if the opening was a complete vent or partly blocked like our upper grills?

It felt smaller than the concept. Might just be the match with the giant mirrors though. We got used to see the CR-Z concepts with camera as mirrors, so they were very small and thin. But now, with normal mirrors, it looks a little more "goofy". Overall, it feels like they pretty much kept the CRX sizes, but on paper, it's 12in longer (which should be noticeable) and 4in higher. Maybe the gigantic grill gives the wrong eye perception...

The grill is indeed massive, but it seems they decreased the size compared to some of the concept. At some point, the concept was even bigger than that. I didn't check if it was fully open, or partially blocked. And I totally agree : "why?" as it's a normal ICE... there must be an aerodynamic impact by opening that big, so I don't get it...

[jonnyvtec]

Im not overly excited by the recent pictures or paper stats, the Co2 doesnt even drop it into the lowest UK company car tax band so that will hit alot of potential.

Looks like 100V rather than 144 allows the pack to drop down in the wheel well unlike the Mk1 Insight. Odd there is a well, does that hint at non IMA models?

[BrianZ54]

I'm not a fan of Consumer Reports or Edmunds, but they sure aren't doing this model any favors. The CR-Z is on every list of 8 or 10 or 12 most interesting new rides at the auto show, always with the footnote that the poor mileage for a hybrid and the lack of a back seat will hinder sales.

It kind of looks like Honda missed the boat again. They should have pushed out a hybrid Fit or CR-V, it's like they have no marketing analysts in North America or Western Europe. At least there not running it like the GM Billy-Bobs trying to see how many different kinds of pick-up and SUV's they can put out at once. Ya' gotta wonder though, how can a huge multi-billion dollar company design their product line like it was somebody's hobby?

I love Hondas, best cars I've ever owned bar none. Just had to say their product mix is a little odd once you get past the Civic, Accord and CR-V. In my opinion they'll sell 8,000-12,000 of these a year in NA and kill it in less than 6 model years. If they "gift" us with a back seat they could sell 15,000.

My two cents, I hope I'm wrong. If not the CR-Z's will be on sale at the end of the first model year.

Brian

[Cobb]

A lot of popular cars in history offers 2+2 seating and seems little has been done to change it and its successful. Mustang, corvette, camero just to name a few.

A friend of mines has a cobalt who gets 42mpg and has 130hp. I know lexus aborted the fuel economy thing for more performance with their hybrid system. I would think honda could pul lit off to offer a true hot rod that at a the flip of a switch gives economy too. As is most i2 owners can easily beat the epa. I get 54 city, 63 highway.

I am still disappointed they axed the hybrid fit. I see that car all over the place. Since its a Europe model currently, I am sure it could be brought into the US and gas prices only have one way to go.

[mahout]

Originally Posted by Purplegate

The had a CR-Z cut in half at the North American International Auto Show (Detroit) exposing a lot of the content. The car is quite small. Interior is nice and quite up to date for the market it address. For those interested, I took some close pics of the system :


Imageshack - img3558s
Imageshack - img3559s
Imageshack - img3560s
Imageshack - img3561s
Imageshack - img3564s
Imageshack - img3630s
Imageshack - img3629s

Wow, a 2 passenger Fit.
our project this year is to hybridize our 91 CRX SiR (170hp) with a 1 HP electric motor in the same manner as we did our 89 Geo metro xFi back in 92. That ought to be interesting, as well as showing Honda what they should have done with the CRZ.

[mahout]

Originally Posted by clarkkent

There are even cars which runs on water, which emits zero CO2, but the problem with such model is that they are too expensive and are not yet available for common man to afford, but in the same case high profile people who can afford that vehicle, they are not going for it as its speed is low, but using such technology for civic use can really help to cut down the Co2 emissions, for example in Singapore public transport buses run on same technology, hope all major cities should follow that too............

If you're speaking of the hydrogen generated from water to power vehicles, its just not economically possible due to the very high energy required to separate H2.
And steam power ditto. Solar, nuclear, and KERRS are our most reasonable reductions in carbon fuel reductions by substituting electricity from non-carbon sources.
Either that of find an efficient way to convert coal to gasoline for intermediate success..