Thinly Veiled Concept Won’t Deviate Much for Production
Canadian Auto Press

It’s been a long time since Honda sold a sports coupe, unless you consider the previous-generation Insight sporty. The late-great Prelude has now become a collector’s item and the once vaunted CRX remains popular amongst tuners and weekend racers, so the upcoming CR-Z is highly anticipated.

2009 Honda CR-Z Concept

The CR-Z, of course, wouldn’t be racing unless up against Toyota’s Prius in a hybrid shootout, but at least we’ll get to see a production prototype at next month’s Tokyo auto show, where the original concept hit the stage in 2007.

The production car will arrive in its domestic Japanese market early next year and other markets, including Canada, sometime later, with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder under its sleek hood plus Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist hybrid drivetrain. Making it sportier than the average hybrid will be a six-speed manual, while a CVT will be available for more relaxed commuters.

This “concept” won’t change much at all if any before the real thing hits the auto show stage, possibly at the upcoming Los Angeles auto show later this year, so if you like the shapely form of Honda’s sexy hybrid, you can make plans.