Honda has officially confirmed today what we told you several months ago, that the Honda CR-Z and Honda Fit hybrids are set to hit world markets by the end of 2010.
The big news for enthusiasts is the CR-Z, which is being billed by Honda as a sporty hybrid and a spiritual successor of sorts to its CR-X two-seat sport compact. Our latest intel has the CR-Z getting a lively, 140-horse, 1.8-liter Civic-derived engine. Honda's IMA hybrid system -- motor, battery, electronics -- will be like the system on the recently-released Insight, as will the platform, to save cost.
A senior engineer we talked to said of the CR-Z's mission: "It must be fun to drive, must remind you of the original CR-X." And a manual gearbox will be offered. "CVT is fine for the market, mostly. But we are Honda! We must have a manual!"
As for the Fit Hybrid, it will likely share a version of Honda's proprietary 88-hp 1.3L four-cylinder/ 13-hp electric motor hybrid powertrain with the Insight. In the belly of the Insight, the EPA estimates it gets 40 mpg city/43 mpg highway -- during our testing we saw an 46 mpg average. We're big fans of the the Fit, and although its mission is a bit different than that of the Insight, we can see the Fit Hybrid stealing the Insight's thunder.
Expect to see a pre-production version of the CR-Z on this fall's auto show circuit, most likely at the 2009 Tokyo show. The CR-Z concept made its debut at Tokyo in 2007.
We'll have more details on the CR-Z and Fit Hybrids and the timing for the U.S.-market launch as it develops.
Thanks to: Motor Trend
