CR-Z: The ‘rock star’ of hybrids

THE CR-Z is first to cross the rehabilitated Bailey Bridge on SCTEx. PHOTO BY TESSA R. SALAZAR

During its infancy in the 1960s, Honda acted just like a toddler, tinkering around with anything that moved, from motorcycle engine-powered sports cars to Formula One racers. But its thinking was advanced for its time, as it ventured into well-engineered, quality cars, and not just mass-produced, dirt-cheap cars Japanese factories were then mostly known for.

And so, from this laboratory of experimentation and culture of sophistication was born such iconic Honda cars such as the Civic, which veteran automotive journalists Matt Stone and John Matras cited as one of the “365 must-drive cars.”

The work culture at Honda also did not go unnoticed. Honda was recognized in 2004 as among the world’s 10 most ethical car brands by the Ethical Consumer Research Association, which ranked car companies in order of their “green credentials,” or responsibility to the environment, as reported in Giles Chapman’s “Car Compendium.”

Honda reinforced this “green reputation” in the Philippines when Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) unveiled on Aug. 5 its Sport Hybrid Coupe CR-Z—the world’s first hybrid with a six-speed manual transmission option—at the NBC Tent in Bonifacio Global City.

CR-Z, the world’s first compact coupe to incorporate a hybrid powertrain, was shown initially as a concept car at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show. Auto journalist Tony Lewin, author of “AZ of 21st Century Cars,” dubbed it the first car to seek to combine the classical driving thrills of a responsive sports car with the modern notion of environmental responsibility and low carbon dioxide emissions.

In this quest, he says, the CR-Z has a powerful emotional ally from Honda’s back catalogue: the diminutive but potent CR-X coupe of the 1980s, a model whose high, glassy tail and low nose the CR-Z consciously emulates.

The short, chunky profile of the 2007 show concept, complete with diving waistline and high-set of tail glass, has been preserved intact on the production model.

Bridging the gap

Inquirer Motoring brought the CR-Z to the Clark Freeport Zone, and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) on Sept. 10—the same day the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, which maintains and operates the SCTEx, announced that the Bailey Bridge would be reopened to the motoring public.

The SCTEx Bailey Bridge collapsed on Aug. 19 due to the force of the current of the Pasig-Potrero River in Porac, Pampanga, during the height of the severe monsoon rains (“habagat”) brought about by Tropical Storm “Maring.” In less than a month, the Department of Public Works and Highways built a 49-meter-long temporary steel bridge.

As luck would have it, the CR-Z was just in time to be among the first vehicles to cross the rebuilt Bailey Bridge.

That “historic crossing” was made in a CR-Z Mugen version (with a head-turning value of P1.890 million), powered by a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine as the main source of power, and an electric motor, Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA). The Mugen CR-Z is equipped with carbon-fiber door mirror covers (and shift knob for the 6MT variant). As with all Mugen accessories, durability was taken into account during the design and material selection of these items.

Its three-mode driving system—Econ, Normal and Sports—emphasized the vehicle’s economy aspect and sports driving performance. This system lets the driver choose whether the hybrid system would 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.

With an ‘oomph!’

Being on a virtually empty SCTEx (all the lanes were closed during the period of repair and reopening ceremonies), the CR-Z’s Plus-Sport System, or S+, Button was finally tested. The Plus-Sport System 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-liter V6 engine. Unimpeded on the SCTEx, the CR-Z darted precisely just like what it advertised.

The CR-Z has compact dimensions, having a wheelbase shorter than that of the Jazz by 65 millimeters, yet having the same ground clearance as the Jazz at 150 mm.

This petite author tried sitting at the back, and the fit was just right. But the space for the rear passenger is tight for a bigger person, let alone two of them. The CR-Z units sold in the Philippines come standard with rear jump seats, which are even equipped with Isofix child seat anchors. HCPI says that it is safe to put children in the rear jump seat of the CR-Z.

The CR-Z suspension is taut, but not jarring. During the development of the CR-Z, one of the main goals of the R&D team was to provide a car that had exemplary handling characteristics. Among the vehicles used as benchmarks were the Lotus Elise and the Mini Cooper. As a result, the CR-Z has very good handling.

The CR-Z is propped up by a MacPherson Strut front suspension and a Torsion Beam rear suspension, the same as that of the Honda Jazz. However, the particular settings and calibrations are unique for the two cars, since each has a different ride characteristic.

This author’s fuel consumption ratings were 12 to 18 kilometers per liter in Metro Manila driving; 20 to 25 kpl along North Luzon Expressway-SCTEx. Because there is no official testing standard used in the Philippines, HCPI does not release any official fuel economy ratings for the Philippine market. The US market’s EPA has rated the CR-Z with a combined (highway and city) fuel efficiency rating of 34 mpg (14.5 kpl) for the 6MT and 37 mpg (15.7 kpl) for the CVT.

This was my first time with the start-stop technology on a manual tranny. The start-stop for the CR-Z, however, does not activate consistently, as there are also many instances when the engine does not shut off during idling. HCPI explained that, though, the start/stop system of the CR-Z should engage when the car is idling, or when slowing down to a stop, the system’s engagement ultimately depends on the charge of the hybrid battery.

The CR-Z also allows for the instantaneous shifting from Sport+ to Econ driving mode and vice versa. HCPI later stressed that it did not foresee any ill effects on the transmission for this type of “jump” shifting.

Avoid floods

The lithium ion battery is located below the cargo area of the CR-Z. According to HCPI, driving and maintaining the CR-Z is the same as any other Honda vehicle. As such, HCPI does not recommend driving the CR-Z or any of its vehicles through floodwaters higher than what they were designed to withstand.

The CR-Z units that HCPI sells to the Philippine market are all manufactured in Japan. As of now, there are no plans to shift the CR-Z’s production to another location.

High voltage

The orange cable visible under the CR-Z is clearly marked because of its high voltage. “Therefore, we discourage owners from playing around with this,” CR-Z engineers told Inquirer Motoring.

Currently, the locally sold CR-Z  is available with a modular type audio system with a CD player, USB and Auxiliary-In connectivity, and steering wheel audio controls. HCPI does not offer any standard navigation system for the CR-Z.

Inquirer Motoring asked HCPI why Honda chose a hybrid assist configuration instead of a full hybrid drive system, like what its rival Toyota has done with the Prius. HCPI replied: “The thinking behind Honda’s IMA System was to make available to the public hybrid vehicles that were more affordable. This was accomplished through the IMA’s characteristic as an assist function to the petrol motor.”