kurtatx

The fact that there are no rumors about Acura building a Civic Type R equivalent or a CR-Z type vehicle is so discouraging.

RPhilMan1

For some reason, I doubt a 280hp coupe from Honda.

But prove me wrong.

AZuser

If I was Honda, I'd ditch the CR-Z name (will remind people of the original CR-Z hybrid) and revive the CR-X name, especially if this is going to be borrowing design cues from the NSX.

But that'd be too smart of a move which means Honda won't do it.

Would naming it CR-X be any worse than slapping Civic in front of CR-Z to help drive sales?

MTEAZY

You are reading too much into this. The product is important. The name is not.

Anyway, I don't believe this turbocharged CR-Z will happen within the next three years. We will probably see a detuned 2.0T here with 240 hp in TLX and RDX. Even that would be at least two model years away. By then the 330i/340i will be around 290/350 hp.

All we will get in the American Civic platform is a 200 hp 1.5L turbo.

CCColtsicehockey

Wow if they build that as is it will be what the CR-Z should have been from the start. Now just call it the CR-X instead this time.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

haha well the Accord V6 coupe is pretty close though with 278hp??

TacoBello

Nah, that won't happen. Honda is too afraid of being cool and bringing out highly desirable cars. They prefer to play it safe. All the time.

But I guess the Civic is a highly desirable car... I mean, it's been a best seller for 8635190 years in a row now

TacoBello

I dunno if I agree with that 100%. A well known, valued name helps build brand cache.

The CR-Z is already a mega failure.

The CR-X has been a past success.

Putting a turbo on a Z may not do as well as on an X, in terms of sales, oddly enough. It's just how we humans work.

kurtatx

Agreed 100%. Either capitalize off a good brand or build a new one. Don't try to revive a dead one for no reason.

TSX69

Honda Offers FaceLift of Slow-Selling CR-Z Sports Hybrid

Honda Motor Co. hopes a facelift will give a sales lift to 1 of its weakest entries: the CR-Z sporty hybrid.

A revamped version will go on sale in Japan in October and is expected to hit U.S. showrooms sometime the following month.

The update gets a more sculpted front fascia with a wing-like lip that cups the grille and flares around enlarged fog lights.

Similarly dynamic flourishes adorn the rear, while the back tires are pushed out to give it a more planted, solid stance.

Inside, designers swapped the lever-style parking brake between the front seats for an electric 1. That enabled them to add a diver’s armrest. Engineers also bumped up the size of the disc brakes to 15 inches, from 14 inches, and rolled out new, more open wheel designs to better show off the new hardware.

Chief engineer Terukazu Torikai said the upgrade shows Honda’s commitment to the low-volume CR-Z, which is Honda’s slowest seller after the Insight hybrid and Ridgeline pickup, both of which were discontinued for the 2015 model year.

Fun and green

The CR-Z is a signature Honda car because it embodies the company’s mission to engineer fun-to-drive environmentally friendly cars, Torikai said at its unveiling today in Tokyo.

“It basically has no competitors, it the only sports hybrid,” Torikai said. He said it has small but fanatical following.

Critics say the CR-Z is a compromise car: Not sporty enough for a sports car, nor green enough for a hybrid.

U.S. sales of the CR-Z dropped 34% to 1,562 vehicles through July. The CR-Z was outsold both by the Nissan Leaf electric vehicle and the Chevrolet Volt range-extender hybrid.

Torikai said he hopes the facelift will keep the nameplate’s annual U.S. sales into the range of 3,000 to 5,000 vehicles.

Honda sold 3,562 CR-Zs in the U.S. last year.

No LEDs

1 Japan-market upgrade the U.S. overhaul won’t get is a new set of all-LED headlamps. U.S. product planners passed on the LEDs in order to keep costs down, Torikai said.

The wider rear stance, newly sculpted nose and armrest should be enough to stoke interest in the minor model change, he said.

Other additions include a touch-panel audio screen and active noise cancellation technology to reduce road noise.

But that doesn’t mean Honda always wants a quiet cabin. The new sound system also has an engine amplifier that pumps in revving sounds for extra exhilaration when you punch the gas. Honda hopes that will deliver more pulse-quickening rides, despite the fact the drivetrain remains unchanged, with around 130 hp.

The CR-Z is manufactured at Honda’s Suzuka factory in Japan.

Despite persistent speculation that Honda may 1 day offer a non-hybrid version of the CR-Z equipped with a more powerful gasoline engine, Torikai said keeping it hybrid is key.

Of a souped-up all-gasoline variant like the old school CR-X, Torikai said: “There are no plans for that whatsoever.”

myron

iTrader: (4)

ehhh still a girl car

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

This is the definition of mediocrity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

omfg!


keeping the ricer image intact! loud but not fast.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

WTF

AZuser

Are these designers and engineers asking themselves, "If I make these changes and improvements, will they make me want to buy one?" ?

Probably not.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

need a K20A!

AZuser

The R20A would be moar better since it's shared with the Accord.. More JDM.

Costco

So true, on both accounts.

They can keep it hybrid. Hybrid + K20A...

kurtatx

This is just horrible.

fsttyms1

That shows Hondas commitment??? Id hate to see what lack of commitment looks like. Oh wait, that is the Acura lineup.

More proof that The people at Honda are Clueless.

kurtatx

It sucks that Honda isn't held accountable for failures like this simply because they sell boatloads of Accords, CR-Vs, and Civics.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, who cares NSX gets delayed forever and CRZ gets POS upgrades, right? They will continue to sell boatloads of Accords/CRVs/Civics.

TacoBello

My favourite excerpts

1. It has no competitors because no one else is retarded enough to build such a retarded car.

2. 3500 units sold last year? This is worth Honda's time? In the last 5 months, I think I've seen ONE CR-Z on the road.

3. Why does a "sports" car have noise cancellation? It's supposed to be a fucking sports car!!

4. Fake engine sounds and 130hp? Seriously?

5. I finally understand Honda's thought process on this car. "Why imitate or build on the very successful CR-X? Why have a truly fun car, with more power than in the past, while building on its own pedigree and create something people actually want to buy? Let's build the complete fucking opposite and laugh at the suckers who do buy this thing!!"

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

How's CRZ doing in Japan? I remember it was doing pretty darn well initially. But boy As costco said, I'd not mind K20A + hybrid CRZ.

TacoBello

it's actually an attractive car, at least in my mind. The only thing that drives me bonkers about the interior is that passenger side vent blows RIGHT in the passenger's face.

oonowindoo

I really thought CR-Z had potentials. Offers a great alternative buy to Civics/Corolla/Sentra.

But Honda really did not offer anything "more" to convert any of those buyers.
At least for the time being, the name hybrid is really not a selling point since rarely you would find the hybrid trim outsells its gas model counterpart.

People who really want a hybrid will get Prius.. that has already been established.

Honda buyers who really want a "cheap" fun car will get Civic Si (problem with the Si is a different subject)

Unless they change CRZ's fundamental problem, Honda should just discontinue CRZ and save their R&D $$ for the face lift. Invest more into the Si instead.

Costco

My friend has one and he likes it. He has two dogs but rarely has passengers, so he needed a practical, fun to drive commuter car. I've driven it a few times and I like it for what it is. The stock shifter and clutch is even nicer than my BRZ's stock setup, though I've never liked my clutch. A cool little feature I like is the different modes (ECON, Normal, and S). Steering and throttle response sharpens very noticeably in S mode. Another underrated, pleasant surprise is the low seating position, unlike other hatchbacks which sit very upright.

Power would definitely help, but it's a unique package. My biggest complaint is actually the rearward visibility.

Would I buy one though? No. If it had a K20, with IMA, and a factory LSD I would definitely change my mind.

Costco

Forgot to mention, this is ridiculously accurate.

And somehow, the dashboard and windshield seem even deeper and more raked than my old Camaro's windshield.

Costco

The CR-Z actually slots in nicely with Honda's lineup. The MSRP is around $2,700 less to start, and they're fundamentally different enough. I honestly would rather have the CR-Z. Can't stand the Civic Si's 4x4 stance. I noticed one parked next to an older Camry and the roofline on the Si was a few inches higher.

oonowindoo

yah it is also $2,700 less of a car.

The problem CR-Z is not within the car itself. We all know it is a fun little car BUT people do not see it as a fun little car, rather they see it as A hybrid.

The hybrid crowd is different. Look at the freaking Prius.... So unless CR-Z can offer 50mpg with an auto tranny and fit 5 people comfortably and even that happens (look at insight), it will be a tough sell. Hybrid ppl will not buy CR-Z.

Now you left with the "regular young buyers" and with 130hp, it will not attract many.

So what is the selling point for CRZ?

Costco

It's a sporty hybrid. I definitely see the appeal behind a car that's cheap, fun to drive, with good gas mileage. The Golf TDI has been relatively popular throughout the years by virtue of those same principles. CR-Z is even cheaper and more fun to drive, IMO. The only other thing comparable is the Prius C, which is nowhere near as sporty but sells surprisingly well.

I'm not saying Honda did a great job either. As mentioned, I wouldn't get one. I think like most of the niche/higher end offerings, they somehow mucked up the marketing aspect. But I completely get what they're trying to get at. I still think it's a more appealing package than the ZDX. Or Crosstour.

oonowindoo

if you really wanted to do a sport hybrid. add those battery to the SI's K24 and lose 200 lbs to offset the added weight.

Done. It is a MUCH more appealing package than a 130hp CR-Z.

Costco

I get you though, the CR-Z has polarizing styling. I still remember my brother's friend's CRX back in the early '90s. Even as a kid I thought it looked kinda weird.

Ken1997TL

Long time no see. Guess what arrives in my driveway next week or so...





I bought the LAST 2016 Honda CR-Z in white/ebony leather with navigation. The plan is to supercharge it as soon as the ECU is unlocked (the '16's have slightly different equipment). The S2000 will become the garage queen.

00TL-P3.2

Welcome back!

AZuser

So you were one of the 235 people who bought one last month? Congrats.

Ken1997TL

Yep and I've owned another one before. People don't give this car a fair shake.

RPhilMan1

6MT? That looks like a fun car to mod! I remember your previous one.

Ken1997TL

AZuser

Trading in CR-Z for NSX?