Honda may introduce 2 new hybrid sports cars in the near future
click above for a high res gallery of the Honda CR-Z concept
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. Thanks to Andrew for the tip!
Gallery: CR-Z hybrid concept
[Source: 4WheelsNews]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Christos Dimou 1:56PM (5/24/2009)
2.5 lt engine for the CR-Z? 3.5 V6 for the S200 successor???
It soulds to good to be true or it is the 1st of April.
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jake 3:16PM (5/24/2009)
Eh, we always hear rumors of hybrid sports cars and they haven't really come true yet.
The closest thing was the Accord Hybrid and that was a huge flop.
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BoneHeadOtto 3:31PM (5/24/2009)
The accord hybrid was a huge flop due to lots of reasons. No marketing, no real public awareness of what a hybrid really was and cheap gas at the time. Plus accord is not exactly synonemous with sporty. There is absolutely a market for a car like that just with a different model than the accord
JasonN 6:55PM (5/24/2009)
There was an Accord Hybrid?
Point made!
Snowdog 6:37AM (5/25/2009)
Accord hybrid failed because it was very expensive and barely increased fuel economy (main reason people buy Hybrids).
Bryan 5:05PM (5/26/2009)
"Accord hybrid failed because it was very expensive and barely increased fuel economy (main reason people buy Hybrids)."
I agree that it was too expensive, but to say that increased fuel economy is the primary reason people buy Hybrids is to oversimplify. They want higher MPGs, but they also want everyone else on the road to know that they bought an expensive car for the express purpose of getting higher MPGs. That's why the Civic hybrid, the Altima hybrid, and the Fusion hybrid haven't sold nearly as well as the Prius, despite similar price (in the case of the Civic). When driving a Civic hybrid, it's not immediately obvious to others that you're driving a hybrid. It is obvious when you drive a Prius. That's why we're seeing manufacturers move toward dedicated hybrid models (Insight, Volt) as opposed to hybrid versions of existing cars.
It's about MPGs, but its also about image.
BoneHeadOtto 3:31PM (5/24/2009)
Its about time! I would love to drive a hybrid but i also love to drive. These two have been at odds and there is no reason why they have to be. I would love to drive something like a hybrid WRX. Bring it! Glad to see atleast Honda gets it.
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Mohammad Afaq 4:40PM (5/24/2009)
I think that the world should look forward to Hybrid cars because enough damage has been done and it should be stopped.
Mohammad Afaq
Fun Blog
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Matt 11:07PM (5/24/2009)
Hybrids will not stop the damage of fossil fuels, but they are a time extender and give us more time to develop better alternatives.
Mohammad Afaq 12:47AM (5/25/2009)
I would definitely want more time and I think that something is better than nothing.
contact 9:11PM (5/24/2009)
I am very interested in seeing a production-ready CR-Z model. Hybrid or not I think it would be awesome.
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knifethrower 4:57AM (5/25/2009)
I don't think that a Honda hybrid sportscar with 4WD and 3.5l V6 deserves the name of the lightweight S2000. But nevertheless, it is a sick idea - it will surely be an awesome car.
For the CR-Z, Honda will unveil the first specs at the Tokyo Motor Show in October. I must admit that I am especially curious about the mileage :-)
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huisj203 9:49AM (5/27/2009)
A 2.5L for the CR-Z seems kind of off. If it's supposed to be made in the spirit of the CRX, that engine doesn't seem to make sense. It needs a little revvy engine that can sip gas at cruising speeds but scream in the upper RPM range. Mix that with an electric motor for peppy off-the-line acceleration, throw in a stick shift like the original Insight had, and it would be a winner.
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