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Whether small or large hybrid models, every manufacturer jumps on the bandwagon of hybrid models. But usually hybrid vehicles are far too often, pure fun brakes. Especially when you want to let the country road wild boar hang out from time to time. In addition, there is the need to use the automatic system. Are there no alternatives?
HONDA CR-Z - Country mood for two.
Honda has a mild hybrid for two in the program. With the sporty designed CRX successor, Honda also wants to inspire the young generation for the mild hybrid drive in the style of the house. The ingredients for the manageable CR-Z are relatively simple: A mild hybrid IMA engine in the house style, combined for the first time with a manual 6-speed gearbox and the whole technology package covered with a sporty cover with 2 doors.
For me personally, the CR-Z represents two milestones. On the one hand, I was able to experience a CRX with a VTEC engine many years ago, even during the time in the Bundeswehr, and was thrilled by the snotty speed freak under the bonnet and, on the other hand, it gave me something - sensitive - driving behavior frightened. Maybe that was when I pushed the limits even less. In any case, the CRX got stuck in my brain as an addictive driving machine. In addition, the CR-Z was the first press test car that I received from Honda and, more generally, from an automobile manufacturer. That also shapes.
The first CR-Z driving report from me is linked again at the end of the article. In the meantime, the CR-Z was able to get to know many other online publishers and I in turn was allowed to drive many more test cars - not only from Honda. Time for a remake of the CR-Z driving report.
[one_half last=”no”] [arrowlist]- Model Name: Honda CR-Z
- Equipment: GT
- Test car Price: € 25.390
- Basic price series: € 21.990
- displacement: 1.497ccm³
- Power: 114PS gasoline engine / 14PS electric motor
- maximum speed: 200km/h
- Acceleration: 0-100: 9,9 seconds
Exterior design: "Fast Lane"
A pure interpretation of the old CRX, adapted to modern times. The CR-Z does not look like a remake or a moist, warm infusion of the old ideas, but convinces with a classic coupé shape with a flat nose and high rear. The distinctive radiator grille is framed on the side by indicated spoiler lips. The bonnet got a slight curvature and the fenders overflow dynamically into the passenger cell. Only the small wheels look a little powerless when viewed from the side. The rear end, in turn, is pleasing due to the imaginative implementation of the “fastback idea” with the rear wheel arches shaped as wide hips and an implied diffuser. 
Rating: 8 of 10 points
[/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”]Interior design: "Shuttle-Pilot"
Here I am a pilot, here I can be. The driver sits at the center of the CR-Z idea. In front of the nose is a colorful tachometer, next to it the necessary instruments to start the hybrid flight well informed. At first glance, the cockpit design looks chaotic. At second glance you understand the idea behind the hodgepodge of digital displays, buttons and switches. Once you get used to it, you can look forward to the pilot's time behind the sporty three-spoke steering wheel.
Everything - just not “as usual”, the interior designers must have thought, the mixture of black plastic, aluminum look and gray leather looks confusing, but somehow sporty. Out of the idea that the entire interior should not only be planned for 2 pilots, a kind of “glove compartment shelf” with the incorrect synonym “rear seat bench” was formed behind the first row of seats.
Rating: 6 of 10 points
[/one_half]
Driving performance & driving experience: "Corner control"
When the sport button is pressed, you feel something like sporty propulsion up to a speed of 120. The small petrol engine turns willingly, but with little torque, through the first 3 gears of the manual 6-speed transmission. The 80Nm electric motor can only help for a short time. If it does, the reel drive cleverly overcomes the CR-Z's greatest weakness. If the tightly dimensioned electron storage device is empty, the gasoline engine - and with it the driver, fall into the deep valley of painful lack of performance.
True to the motto: What I've lost on the long straight, I'll get it back in the curve - the turning behavior and the pleasure in the curve radius then conjures up a smile on the driver's face again. That's the way it has to be. Handy. Downright cheeky in dealing with all kinds of vertices and blessed with a lot of feedback for the steering wheel acrobat in the dynamic cross canter. A shame that at the end of the change of direction there is usually another straight waiting. From the mountain top of the lustful lateral dynamics you fall back into the valley of lack of performance. Too bad.
Rating: 4 of 10 points
Everyday factor: "Singlelife"
The low seating position and the lack of space speak against everyday life. The short outer length and the pleasurable handling are in turn well suited to convince in the city also in everyday life.
The manageable trunk is not overwhelmed with the shopping tour of single-women, the weekend shopping a large family, however, no one wants to stow in the CR-Z.
Rating: 4 of 10 points
[/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”]Standard equipment:
In principle, it's all about the question: choose a GT or sports variant? And since the Sport comes standard with the parking aid for the rear, the Bluetooth hands-free system is also available and the cruise control also offers a relaxed drive for longer distances - the decision is clear: if you can handle the surcharge of € 2.000, you decide of course for the CR-Z in the “sport version”.
Rating: 6 of 10 points
[/one_half]
Motor: "Output-Put"
It's the Achilles heel of the entire package. Honda always stood for the VTEC technology. For engines whose second spring started beyond the 6.000 speed mark. The new CR-Z does not just want to be sporty. He wants to be clever sustainability with a sporty accent. Hard this balancing act. Basically, the way that Honda goes with IMA technology is a clever one. Only the current version of a low-displacement naturally aspirated engine in conjunction with a small-sized electric motor and too little battery capacity does not do justice to the sporty design of the CR-Z.
The conclusion at the time remains: “I volt more”. The Volt stands for the electric drive, which should work longer and the “more” clearly for a 2 liter four-cylinder that delivers a crisp 200PS. But these days, plain and simple, are probably over once and for all. So I have the memories of the VTEC in my heart and I look forward to the evolution of the CR-Z concept.
Rating: 2 of 10 points
[/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”]Transmission: "Connected Drive"
With 6 gears that can be manually sorted in a hybrid vehicle, the CR-Z already represents a sporty addition to the range of sustainable drive concepts. Shifting is crisp, tightly spaced and once again at the level of the best manual switches. A boon and the best tool to keep the small drive unit under the bonnet alive. 
Rating: 9 of 10 points
[/one_half]
Multimedia & Audio: ”Jukebox”
The GT version of the CR-Z has a multimedia solution with navigation and a 6-inch screen as standard. Thanks to the Bluetooth hands-free system, cell phones can be paired. The radio reception of the system is a little weak in the border area, too often the neighboring stations scratch. It's easy to live with the sound development of the entire system.
Rating: 5 of 10 points
[/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”]Gadgets: "Gadget Cockpit"
Sport, normal or eco? The gadget masterpiece of the CR-Z is clearly the selection area for the settings of the entire vehicle. The choice between the 3 driving modes not only influences the engine's reactions to the accelerator, but also changes the cockpit lighting. From economical green to blue to sporty red! In addition, as is usual with hybrid vehicles, the power flow can be observed on a multifunction display. This instrument also reveals whether the petrol engine is currently working or whether the CR-Z is sailing along with an electric drive. But because that was not enough, the pilot in the cockpit also gets a presentation of the hybrid successes that is always present. Above left as a bar display for “recuperation or electric boost” and in the multifunction display with growing leaves for economical driving. Clever diversionary maneuver.
Rating: 7 of 10 points
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The cost factor: "Payday"
The CR-Z starts as “S” with € 21.990, the “Sport” costs € 23.390 and the top version “GT” calls up € 25.390 according to the list. The respective optional equipment lists are, as is typical of the Japanese, clearly kept short and include, for example, items such as: leather seats for € 990, panoramic glass roof (not for the S model) for € 700 or additional sports colors with sports grill and carbon look on the outside . Necessary? No. Instead, the clear recommendation to buy the GT is currently to be found on the Internet with discounts of up to 20%!
Rating: 8 of 10 points
[one_half last=”no”]Defects on the test vehicle:
- No
Rating:
Deduction: None.
[/one_half]
Two sentences to:
[one_fourth last=”no”]..Design:
I particularly like the CR-Z's sexy hips and the arc of tension in the sideline that flows into a powerful C-pillar. The front convinces with sporty prestige. [/one_fourth][one_fourth last=”no”]
..Image:
A Japanese with a sporty ancestral gallery. Honda plays this card for the mild hybrid convincing, but should urgently in the engine performance!
[/one_fourth][one_fourth last=”no”]
..Efficiency:
You can drive economically with the CR-Z, even very much. Under 6l can be easily implemented in everyday life - the only question is whether you want to drive such a sporty coupe?
[/one_fourth][one_fourth last=”yes”]
..Overtaking:
Without fault and blame, among other things, the LED daytime running lights miss an enormous portion of overtaking prestige. Only the engine cannot live up to expectations. [/one_fourth]
Conclusion: "Eco-Racer?"
It's a concept that raises many questions at first glance. How can you combine a sporty body with so little power? However, if you approach the CR-Z from a different angle and are looking for the answer to the question: how can you gain a little more driving pleasure from an ecological mild hybrid? He can find the answer in the Honda CR-Z.
The combined output of 124PS is also completely sufficient for everyday use. Nevertheless, there remains a gap between the expectations of the sporty coupé and the absolute performance value.
Ranking: 59 from 100 points
There is no room for discussion: The points result in an overall ranking and are comparable across all vehicle classes - as they are directly and objectively based on the model class and target group. The more points, the better the vehicle. A sports car cannot achieve 100 points because its everyday use is low. A family van may fail in the “straight performance”. The ranking is of course completely subjective - it is that my-car-blog Ranking. Bjoern Habegger
Links:
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Text / Photo: Bjoern Habegger | auto-bloggerei.de | 2012 | by-nc-nd