The road towards the creation of Honda Motor Co.’s new CR-Z sporty hybrid is not a smooth one. Engineers didn’t think that it was unique and US executives didn’t like it. There were serious doubts that the CR-Z — a wedge-shaped, two-seat hatchback — would ever make it through.

In 2004, when Norio Tomobe was appointed chief engineer of the project, the car was still a blank sheet. Early on, its working model had a traditional gasoline engine. In a recent interview, Tomobe said that he wanted desperately for a new idea, and so it was decided that they’d begin over. It was the idea of a hybrid that made them sit up and take notice. Criticism on the CR-Z has largely been centered on its being neither fuel-efficient nor sporty. Tomobe says though that he would have wanted the CR-Z to have “more horsepower.” He said that soon, he would like a Type R sporty version of the CR-Z with power-to-weight ratio that lives up to its sporty styling. Photo gallery after the jump!

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Tags:car news, Honda, honda cr-z
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Honda Motor Co.’s sporty CR-Z model was successfully launched last Thursday in the Roppongi Hills district of Tokyo. The CR-Z is Honda’s second low-cost hybrid car that it had launched that’s aimed at complying with stricter environmental regulations as well as be able to meet expanding sales globally.

Unlike Toyota Motor Corp., Honda has chosen a one-motor structure for its gasoline-electric cars. Honda’s rivals are using two motors to get greater mileage. This car will arrive at showrooms in North America and Europe as early as this summer. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:2010 cr-z pricing, 2010 honda cr-z, 2010 honda cr-z price, car news, Honda, honda cr-z
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If you can’t wait the official debut from 2010 Detroit Auto Show, we got for you brand new leaked photos with the interior of the new Honda CR-Z Hybrid. Also, according to the brochure, the new car will carry a 112 hp 1.5-liter gasoline engine as well as an 12 hp electric engine. Of this is true, it appears that a ‘hybrid sports car’ is not the word for the new Honda CR-Z! More leaked photos after the jump!

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In a recent interview at the Tokyo Motor Show, Nobuki Ebisawa, Honda’s general manager of global design, said that the new Honda CR-Z hybrid coupe will look very similar to the concept car showcased last week. In fact, this is a very thinly veiled version of the production version which will be unveiled next year at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.

Why? Because all the changes to improve the aerodynamics, handlng and interior space have been made since the first introduction of the CR-Z Concept, back in 2007 by the designer Motoaki Minowa. Nobuki Ebisawa said that the main changes that were made to this year’s concept were ” less inward sloping side windows” and a higher roof, in order to offer more headroom as well as a a shorter wheelbase to aid agility and a longer front overhang. Regarding the CR-Z grille, Ebisawa said that this new design will only be used for the future sports cars and not on the mainstream models.

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Tags:2010 detroit auto show, car news, cr-z, cr-z production, Honda, honda cr-z, honda cr-z detroit, honda cr-z hybrid coupe, honda cr-z production, honda crz, honda news
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Honda uncovered today the CR-Z Concept 2009, at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show. The new car is the second concept version of the stylish, sporty hybrid coupe and the manufacturer officially announced that the production version will be introduced to North America in the second half of 2010 will be packaged as a sporty, 2-seat hybrid that provides a personal driving experience for North American customers.

The new CR-Z will expand Honda’s lineup of hybrid vehicles and will bring new levels of engagement and fun to customers interested a small car or a hybrid vehicle. The CR-Z hybrid will join the Insight and Civic Hybrid in the Honda hybrid lineup as a sporty, hybrid coupe with unique value. Expect the official debut of the Honda CR-Z to be made in January 2010 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Photo gallery after the jump!

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