Honda readies small open top sports car

This is not a new rumour and Japanese Best Car magazine has revealed another rendering of Honda's upcoming open top sports car. It seems that the new sports car won't be a Kei car, but instead, it will be based on the CR-Z. Also, Honda is also about to reveal an updated CR-Z.

Video: Honda CR-Z Mugen in action

First photos of Honda CR-Z Mugen concept

Honda CR-Z Mugen concept (2011): first photos | Car Magazine Online

More details about Honda CR-Z Mugen

As already reported almost one month ago, not only Honda is working on a spicy CR-Z, but apparently Mugen is doing the same. The Mugen version is being developed purely as a one-off prototype and it will deliver around 197bhp and 181lb ft of torque!!! Mugen is actually using a supercharger to deliver the extra power, and the internals of the 1.5L four-cylinder petrol engine have been upgraded.

‘The idea was to use the significant advantage of the early torque provided by the Honda IMA electric motor, then increase the torque available from the petrol engine gradually, to first maintain and then increase this,’ says Mugen Euro’s project manager Colin Whittamore. ‘A supercharger and complementary electronics allow us to very neatly map the IMA to the extra power and torque of the engine in a unique package, giving a smooth, integrated and powerful driving experience.’

The impressive bit is the fact that Mugen may actually be able to improve on the standard CR-Z’s 56.5mpg and 117g/km CO2. Of course, and top of the list are front and rear five-stage adjustable dampers. There’s an increase in track width too, lightweight 17in forged Mugen GP alloys to reduce unsprung mass, and bigger brakes with four-pot monobloc calipers. There’s also a full visual upgrade, including Mugen-spec front and rear bumpers, a particularly large rear wing and some side skirts. And finally, Mugen is promising a ‘large reduction in overall weight’ so reckon on the removal of the back seats and a carbonfibre bonnet to cover that supercharged engine.

[Source: CAR magazine]

Latest report about spicy Honda CR-Z!!!

We know that Honda is working on a spicy CR-Z (earlier post) and this time, another report confirms that it will use a 2.0L NA engine. The power output claimed now is 190 ps and it is unclear whether it will be badged as Type R, or it will be given a different name such as CR-Z 2000. In any case, it is expected to be introduced in February 2012.

Mugen readies CR-Z prototype

Honda is working on a spicy CR-Z, but apparently Mugen is doing the same. Well, according to Mugen, "at this stage, the CR-Z Mugen is being developed purely as a one-off prototype, with no plans for a production version". The prototype is expected to have a Type R-like performance and it should make its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.

Some more info about Honda's 2.0L NA CR-Z

As posted a few days ago (earlier post), Honda is working on a naturally aspired CR-Z and according to Best Car, Honda is speeding up the development of it due to high customer demand. BC claims that it is very likely to use the K20A engine of the Euro Civic Type R, which produces 201 PS at 7,800 rpm and 17.7 kgm of torque. The NA CR-Z is expected to have a better fuel efficiency, around 15.0 km/L under the 10.15 mode, compared to the 11.6 km/L of the Euro Type R. The NA CR-Z could wear the Type R badge.

In the past, Autocar reported that we will get a spicy CR-Z equipped with a turbocharged engine (earlier post). I guess we will have to be patient until we really find out what engine will be fitted, but at least we know that the CR-Z will not remain a hybrid only model.

Honda readies 2.0L NA CR-Z and Beat successor!

The latest issue of BC has some interesting news regarding the upcoming Honda models, and it seems that a 2.0L NA CR-Z is coming soon, as well as a Beat successor!!!

Soon I will be able to provide you with more info... so stay tuned!

Honda speeding up development of turbocharged CR-Z

According to Autocar's sources, it was reported in the past that Honda is preparing a turbocharged version of CR-Z (earlier post). Now, Autocar again claims that buyer's feedback is so strong, and the drop-off in domestic sales so steep, that Honda is speeding up the development of the hot CR-Z. It could even make its debut as early as next December at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Honda TS-1X and Sports Modulo NSX at 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon

The TS-1X has some fancy "floating flaps" as you will notice, but a press release hasn't been published yet explaining the actual use of them. In any case, it looks like Batman's CR-Z...

Honda displayed also some new items for the legendary NSX, including a Modulo carbon fibre spoiler, Modulo shocks, springs and even control arms. It's nice to see that Honda still supports old models! Now, what about the NSX successor Honda…?

More photos after the jump!

Honda at 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon

The 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon opens in a couple of days, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, and Honda just announced that Honda Access will display a TS-1X test study model based on the CR-Z.

Also on display are accessorized production cars and motorcycles, along with a variety of specially designed vehicles to show the playful nature of customization, such as the Freed Spike caravan car, the Acty Truck and the Enepo generator special coloring editions.

Oh, the HSV-010 GT machine, which won both the driver and team titles for the Super GT Series GT500-class races, will be there as well!

Honda CR-Z and Jazz Hybrid video review by CAR

Honda CR-Z JCOTY special edition

Honda CR-Z has won the 2010-2011 Japan Car of the Year (JCOTY) award (earlier post) and in order to celebrate this award, Honda has launched a special edition called "Memorial Award Edition". It comes in conduction with both available transmissions (6MT and CVT) and in terms of special features, it includes the following: Special Pearl Deep Sapphire Blue body colour, dark grey 16" aluminium wheels, metal pedals, JCOTY stickers, Honda's HDD and ETC.

In total, 1000 "Memorial Award Edition" CR-Zs will be made costing 2,794,000 ¥.

Video: Honda CR-Z becomes KR-Z!!!

Honda CR-Z becomes KR-Z!!!

Honda CR-Z may get a proper petrol engine in the future (earlier post), but until then, it seems that someone decided to fit a K20A engine from an Integra Type R! So, now this KR-Z... eeer, I mean CR-Z, not only has the looks, but also the engine it deserves!!!

[Source: CarKingdom.jp]

Honda CR-Z to get turbocharged engine

According to British Autocar, Honda is going to provide the CR-Z, as well as a number of other models, with an all-new turbocharged R4 engine. The new engine, under development at Honda’s Tochigi R&D centre, is also planned  for the Jazz, Civic and Accord, forming an integral part of Honda's downsizing program. 

The engine, which will feature Honda’s VTEC-i fully variable camshaft timing system, is likely to come with two power outputs. A standard 160 hp and a highly tuned 200 hp version, with the latter one replacing the 2.0L VTEC engine in the Civic Type R.  A CR-Z Type R is also likely to hit the markets late next year.

[Source: Autocar]

Fancy a Honda CR-Z Roadster?

If you really fancy a Honda CR-Z Roadster, Honda may let you down since such a version is not in the plans, but you can have a scale model of it!

Honda CR-Z wins 2010-2011 Japan Car of the Year award

The Honda CR-Z has won the 2010-2011 Japan Car of the Year (JCOTY) award. The nominees for the award were: Toyota Marx X, Nissan March, Honda CR-Z, Mazda Premacy, Suzuki Swift, Volkswagen Polo, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5-Series, Peugeot RCZ and Jaguar XJ. 

The 2009-2010 award was won by Toyota's Prius.