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Pistonheads posted their experiences with the Mugen CR-Z today.
New Honda CRZ Type R for 2012
- Thread starter blaaah
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- 8,191
- Southern Louisiana
- GTP_Kent
Thanks for the share, after reading that article it looks to me like a K20 is going to make its way into a crz for the sake of a revival of Hondas glorious high revving vtec. With weight like the mugens I have no doubt a crz-r would be tons of fun. Only problems would be price and parts... That is to say, the price will be too high and the parts making the mugen so cool will probably never make it to production. Maybe we will see something like the mugen rr (my favorite honda since the nsx)?
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CodeRedR51
Premium
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If you want a K20 CR-Z the best thing to do is wait until they've been out for a few years and the price has dropped, then do a swap.
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- GTP_Kent
Lol, I didnt take that from the article, I made the jump from f/i crz with 197 hp to 197 the old honda way by swapping to a tuner friendly favorite. Its not like swapping in another engine is a foreign concept to honda tuners and for that matter its not like the k20 going out of production will stop anyone, I mean, look at how long the B series has been in use for swaps and tuning dispite being out of production.
Btw, I am well aware that I drive one of the last k20s to be built, its part of the reason I love my FA5 so much.
Btw, I am well aware that I drive one of the last k20s to be built, its part of the reason I love my FA5 so much.
- 11,343
- Chicago, iLL
- GTP_Nismo
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I like the exhausts but other than that I'd still prefer the standard car. The guys at Mugen need to stop watching old DVDs of the Fast and the Furious.
The87Dodge
(Banned)
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- rizkeat
Honda CR-Z special edition revealed. It's not a Type-R, but it is called the "Alpha Final Label" and is for the Japanese market. This name signifies that the CRZ is being discontinued. This special edition has a 130 horsepower engine, lightweight alloy wheels, and a special interior.
Pics:
More info: http://www.motortrend.com/news/honda-cr-z-alpha-final-label-edition-revealed-japanese-market/
Pics:
More info: http://www.motortrend.com/news/honda-cr-z-alpha-final-label-edition-revealed-japanese-market/
The87Dodge
(Banned)
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- rizkeat
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- SpacedustDaddy
The87Dodge
(Banned)
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- rizkeat
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When they last sold new in the UK (a few years back) they were around £21k which really was too much, but a factor of the pound/yen exchange rate at the time. Used ones are relatively affordable though, they seem to start just below £5k these days.
I still maintain that the CR-Z is a better car than people who've never set foot in one will tell you it is. It's never been a fast car but it doesn't feel too slow, thanks to the assistance from the electric motor. Has good steering and a great gearshift too so it's fun to stir along quickly.
It's just frustrating that Honda never unleashed its full potential. The first-gen Insight was brilliantly single-minded and a more powerful, better-handling version of that car would have been great. The CR-Z needed to be sub-1000kg and more aerodynamic, which would automatically have meant better performance from the 1.5 engine and hybrid system.
Oh, and better seats. When I spent a week with one by far my biggest complaint was that I just couldn't get comfortable, and ended up getting backache after 15 minutes every time I sat in the car.
I still maintain that the CR-Z is a better car than people who've never set foot in one will tell you it is. It's never been a fast car but it doesn't feel too slow, thanks to the assistance from the electric motor. Has good steering and a great gearshift too so it's fun to stir along quickly.
It's just frustrating that Honda never unleashed its full potential. The first-gen Insight was brilliantly single-minded and a more powerful, better-handling version of that car would have been great. The CR-Z needed to be sub-1000kg and more aerodynamic, which would automatically have meant better performance from the 1.5 engine and hybrid system.
Oh, and better seats. When I spent a week with one by far my biggest complaint was that I just couldn't get comfortable, and ended up getting backache after 15 minutes every time I sat in the car.
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- PrecisionXCIV
The CR-Z was a great car with some pretty notable flaws, in terms of on-paper performance and interior space. For the same price, you could purchase a much larger 200hp hot hatch. The only thing the CR-Z had going for it was fuel economy and low running costs, although I doubt that was a priority for the target market.
If there is a second generation CR-Z, I think the hybrid system should be axed in favour the new 1.5 Turbocharged engine powering the new Civic. In fact, forget a new CR-Z; can't Honda just sell the Civic Coupe in more markets?
If there is a second generation CR-Z, I think the hybrid system should be axed in favour the new 1.5 Turbocharged engine powering the new Civic. In fact, forget a new CR-Z; can't Honda just sell the Civic Coupe in more markets?
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Meh. The Civic Coupe is too big, really. One of the things the CR-Z did do right was size - might have meant no back seat space (but then it's far from the only car with that issue and most of the others with no space for actual people are larger cars) but it felt tiny and nimble on the road.
The issue that I see going forward is that Honda's newest hybrid system is much more effective than the old IMA... but is also auto-only. And the best thing about the first-gen Insight and the CR-Z was that both could be had with manual gearboxes, which suit small sporty cars.
I hope Honda finds some way to revive the CR-Z but they have to do it right this time: Low weight, better aero, and a tad more power. And I'd prefer the latter with hybrid assist, rather than turbocharging, if only for the sound and throttle response.
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I think at the time I might have agreed with what you said here, but in hindsight (minus the wing) that isn't all that bad in terms of some of Mugen's other work (IMHO). It's a tad bit excessive yes, but it's actually grown on me, since first seeing it.
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I'm still not keen. The Spoon CR-Z is probably my favourite:
...and the spec would be right up my street too. Light, simple, tiny bit more power.
...and the spec would be right up my street too. Light, simple, tiny bit more power.
- 7,662
- Pasadena, MD
- Minty TS
Honestly the one thing that always draws my eye to the CRZ is how tiny it is. I like when a manufacturer doesn't make a car bigger and heavier just so they can have two extra, but totally functionless, back seats. The thing felt oddly comfortable at highway speeds for its size, as well. I'd really like to see it return with a little less weight and a little more power, as long as Honda doesn't give it that chrome mustache treatment like the rest of their lineup.
And a sportier model slotted below something like the Type R label would be nice, as well. Little to no extra power over base models, but a shorter geared 5 or 6 speed, a tighter steering rack, and some sporty suspension would have made me give it a second look when I was shopping around before I got my BRZ. It doesn't need to be fast if it can make you feel like you're driving a race car in the corners.
And a sportier model slotted below something like the Type R label would be nice, as well. Little to no extra power over base models, but a shorter geared 5 or 6 speed, a tighter steering rack, and some sporty suspension would have made me give it a second look when I was shopping around before I got my BRZ. It doesn't need to be fast if it can make you feel like you're driving a race car in the corners.
- 5,065
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- That_sneaky_azN
Wasn't this the only current hybrid car available with a manual?
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I believe it is at the moment, though a few of Honda's hybrids before - the first-gen Insight and Civic Hybrid - were both available with manuals. I don't think any other company has built a manual hybrid.
- 50,872
- Australia
- SpacedustDaddy
That's what I commended about Honda. Even the Civic hybrid sedan had an aero kit with manual. Back then, I was living in NYC and not many people drove manuals anyway.
Here in Australia, it would be a different story if the price was right. Young, first time owners, buy Swifts and Mirages, Mazda2s, Hyundai i20s. I don't see many driving Hondas. When the CR-Z came out, I saw a few on the regular. Not anymore.
Here in Australia, it would be a different story if the price was right. Young, first time owners, buy Swifts and Mirages, Mazda2s, Hyundai i20s. I don't see many driving Hondas. When the CR-Z came out, I saw a few on the regular. Not anymore.
CodeRedR51
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- YSSMAN
I can count the number I've seen on the road probably between my two hands. It's sad, I really liked the car, but they never quite got the engineering right. I have to wonder that, if we did get the rear seats like much of the rest of the world, if sales would/could have been any better.
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The CR-Z was a lovely car to drive, but just absolutely pointless in every other way.
It certainly had the bones of a great car under the skin, but saddled out of the factory with an extra 100-200 kilos of hybrid system that only boosted performance mildly (and at maximum performance boost, depleted the battery quite quickly) and which took its toll on handling and interior space.
I dearly hope Honda will consider creating a Fit Coupe or three-door to take its place. A Fit with the suspension and steering of the CR-Z would be absolutely fantastic.
It certainly had the bones of a great car under the skin, but saddled out of the factory with an extra 100-200 kilos of hybrid system that only boosted performance mildly (and at maximum performance boost, depleted the battery quite quickly) and which took its toll on handling and interior space.
I dearly hope Honda will consider creating a Fit Coupe or three-door to take its place. A Fit with the suspension and steering of the CR-Z would be absolutely fantastic.
