Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Honda Working on CR-Z Type R?


Auto blogs have been buzzing over recently released photos of the Mugen-tuned Honda Insight. Some people love the massively winged, zero-lift hybrid, but most people (well, most Americans) can’t quite wrap their heads around the fact that someone would even want to tune a hybrid. If you are one of these people, you’d better strap on a helmet ‘cause we’re about to blow your mind.

It’s n
o secret that Honda is planning to follow its new Insight up with a production version of the CRX-like CR-Z two-seat hybrid. But thanks to a very well informed source, we’ve got a few new, never-before-released details about the car.


Firs
t, the production version of the CR-Z will make its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show this November and go on sale in Japan in December.


Go
t that helmet ready? ‘Cause here comes the mind-blowing part.


Wha
t’s got us both excited and curious is news that Honda is planning to make a CR-Z Type R. You read that correctly: a Type R hybrid.


The
only thing we know about the CR-Z Type R is that it is supposed to launch in 2010. Unfortunately, this source can’t give us any details about just what will transform this standard CR-Z into a Type R. Will it be nothing more than a two-seat version of the Mugen Insight, meaning just a car with a functional aero kit and some wheels?


Will Honda take a cue from its Accord Hybrid and use the battery assist as a performance booster – like a battery-powered turbocharger – rather than use the electric motor to make the car as “green” as can be?

Or w
ill Honda answer the tuning crowd’s prayers by ditching the hybrid powertrain completely to shove a K-series motor under the hood? Hybrid K20, perhaps?


We
don’t know about you, the possibilities of a CR-Z Type R are getting us very excited. Honda is supposed to make an announcement regarding the Type R at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show. Hopefully we’ll see at least a concept CR-Z Type R alongside the standard CR-Z at the show.


Source:
GT Channel via Vtec.net

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