Honda CR-Z: Love child of the racer and the environmentalist

Three variants with two transmission options

Yes, it’s a looker, and then some. When Honda mated its eco-friendly technologies with its knack for fun and sporty drives, you know there’s so much more going on beneath that head-turning exterior.

The Sport Hybrid Coupe CR-Z—the world’s first hybrid with a six-speed manual transmission option—is powered by a “small” 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine as the main source of power, but with an electric motor, Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA).

Honda Cars Philippines Inc. unveiled the CR-Z Aug. 5 at the NBC Tent in Taguig City, finally showing in the flesh what the motoring media had been seeing on paper and online for some time now.

A notable feature of the CR-Z is its three-mode driving system: Econ, Normal and Sports, emphasizing the eco aspect and sports driving performance, making the CR-Z unique from other hybrid cars in the Philippines. This system lets the driver choose whether the hybrid system will be used for added performance or for efficiency. Honda engineers explained that the system applies integrated control over the engine’s drive-by-wire, motor assist, CVT shift management, electric power steering and air conditioner.

Another notable feature would be the Plus-Sport System or S+ Button, which uses the charge from the battery to power the electric motor and give an additional boost in acceleration that, Honda claims, is comparable to a 3.0L V6 engine.

The CRZ uses a high-end lithium ion battery which is smaller, lighter, more compact and with longer life than nickel metal hydride batteries.

Despite the prohibitive retail prices of hybrid cars in the Philippines (no thanks to the lack of tax incentives for alternative fuel vehicles), the CR-Z’s three variants with two transmission options are priced competitively between P1.390 million and P1.950 million.

“This is a new category of vehicle that never existed in the market before. So we would like our Philippine customers to experience this car. In order to do that, we have created strategic pricing,” says HCPI president and general manager Tatsuya Natsume, when asked how Honda was able to come up with the pricing.

He adds: “The manufacturing of a car, transportation and distribution offer many possibilities to cut costs. So we try to minimize any excessive costs to bring down the price.”

Natsume stresses that the CR-Z “is more than a hybrid car. This is a sports car.”

The Sport Hybrid Coupe CR-Z—the world’s first hybrid with a six-speed manual transmission

He adds, “There are many car enthusiasts waiting for this kind of vehicle. That’s why we decided to launch this car prior to the passage of the hybrid law. But in order to bring in more hybrid models, we like to wait and see how the hybrid bill would do.”

The famed Modulo badge

Natsume was mum, however, on the CR-Z’s sales targets in the Philippines. “To be honest, we don’t have an idea how many cars will be sold because this is a completely new vehicle category. We have no data for reference.”

The name CR-Z stands for “Compact Renaissance Zero,” which represents Honda’s commitment to go back to the point of origin (zero) to take on the challenge to create a new compact car without being bound by the values of traditional coupes. “With the CR-Z, we aim to provide an unparalleled driving experience. The New Honda has arrived,” Natsume declares.

The CR-Z variants and their prices: P 1.390 million (Standard M/T); P1.480 million (Standard; CVT with paddle shifters); P1.470 million (Modulo-M/T); P1.560 million (Modulo; CVT with paddle shifters); P1.860 million (Mugen-M/T); P1.950 million (Mugen; CVT with paddle shifters).