Today’s automotive marketplace is blending new technologies, efficient performance and value together like never before-- and ultimately, it’s the consumer who wins. Today, new car shoppers are demanding more for their money than ever, and they want quality vehicles that meet their precise needs at a price they can afford. In today’s market full of crossover vehicles, hybrids and high-tech option packages, it has never been easier to find a vehicle that suits your exact needs and lifestyle.

 Should your exact needs and lifestyle be pointing you towards a vehicle that is sporty, sensible, upscale, and extremely fuel efficient, your Honda dealership would love to show you their latest model: the CR-Z. Styled with a modern flare and packed with a feature-rich, high-tech interior, the CR-Z is as much a styling exercise as it is a fuel-friendly sports coupe. A two-seat, two-door hybrid, the CR-Z is aimed towards a shopper that’s interested in minimizing their transportation-related footprint without giving up driving enjoyment.

“The CR-Z is a personal sport hybrid coupe for drivers with a spirit of adventure as well as an elevated sense of responsibility toward the environment,” says Jerry Chenkin, Executive VP of Honda Canada Inc. “CR-Z is the first gasoline-electric hybrid car designed to maximize style and fun, in addition to fuel efficiency.”

Honda’s design team says the CR-Z’s sleek body features a progressively raked roofline and sharply truncated tail-- features shared with other Honda models, both current and past. These include the CRX, first-generation Insight hybrid and the FCX Clarity fuel cell electric car. According to designers, the styling of the CR-Z and its siblings serves to cut through the air with minimal disturbance, reducing aerodynamic drag and increasing efficiency.

The entire package rides a performance-engineered suspension system that works with standard antilock brakes and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) to keep the car planted and under control in any situation. Engineers tuned the CR-Z’s suspension and steering to deliver an unexpectedly involving and precise handling feel without sacrificing ride comfort. Whether you’re a fan of winding roads or planning to log some long hours on the highway, the CR-Z is ready to perform with comfort and excitement in mind.

Under the hood, Honda’s proven Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system pairs a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder VTEC engine with a 10-kilowatt, ultra-thin electric battery to provide additional power and electrical generation as needed. Electricity is stored and delivered through a lightweight and compact 100.8-volt battery and power control system. The net result is 122 combined horsepower delivered seamlessly through a CVT transmission with paddle shifters, or a six-speed manual transmission. The latter is a first for a hybrid vehicle, and is intended to help the CR-Z appeal even further to the driving enthusiast.

Drivers can even choose from between three available drive modes which optimize power delivery, throttle response and steering to match the car to their current intentions or mood in real time. Finally, a 3D instrument cluster employs various visual cues which help coach drivers to minimize their fuel consumption, which should land around 6L  / 100km combined.

Interested in more information or a test-drive? Head in to our dealership for a closer look.