One of the most sought-after hybrid cars in the world is now on sale in Japan.
The all-new Honda CR-Z (Compact Renaissance Zero) went on sale on Friday with Honda targeting monthly sales of 1,000 units for the new car. It is the company’s third hybrid in the market, following on from the Civic Hybrid and the Honda Insight, and it is the sixth version of Honda’s original Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) technology since the launch of the original Honda Insight back in December 1999.
The CR-Z is the first model to feature Honda’s three-mode drive system that allows the driver to choose between SPORT, NORMAL and ECON modes depending on the situation – such as whether the motorist is driving on a motorway, in the city or on a country road.
It combines a 1.5litre i-VTEC engine with the IMA system and has a six-speed manual transmission. There is also a CVT version that includes paddle shifters as standard.
Its fuel economy is remarkable for a vehicle with so much speed and power at 59mpg and 53mpg in 10-15 mode; or 48mpg in JC08 mode.
