Honda doesn’t make any qualms in their marketing of their CR-Z. They want you to believe that it’s a ‘hot hatch hybrid’ of some sort, even though the truth puts it closer to a hatchet job than a hot hatch.
Handling wise it’s definitely a few notches over its peers but the overall package is still far short of the hype created. However, Autocar have got the rumour mills spinning by claiming that Honda are going to ditch the hybrid powerplant in favour of a turbocharged engine in a more performance-oriented model.
It claims that the engine will be a 1.6-liter turbocharged unit pushing out around 160hp to the front wheels. Furthermore, Autocar goes on to claim that a higher-output CR-Z Type-R will follow with about 200 ponies under the hood.
It might seem like a farfetched dream but Honda’s displays at the recent SEMA show indicate they’re looking to strengthen the sporty image of the CR-Z. One of the star attractions was a CR-Z that had its current 1.5-liter hybrid mill turbocharged with aggressive aero all around.
If Honda does go through with the move, it would be a welcome step to push up the sales of the CR-Z that have started to slow down, even though it won the Japanese Car of the Year award. Furthermore, a pure-petrol turbocharged engine would broaden its appeal in more markets by looking like a good prospect to those with some driving spirit in their blood.
Source: Autocar
