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Honda CR-Z pictured here is close to production model  (Source: Autoblog)
CR-Z hybrid sport coupe will debut in Japan in February

Hybrid automobiles are all the rage right now with consumers looking to save at the pump and become more eco-friendly. The clear leader in the hybrid realm is still Toyota with its Prius, but for car enthusiasts that like sporty vehicles, the Prius is hardly appropriate.

In September, Honda pulled the wraps off its revamped CR-Z hybrid sports coupe concept. The vehicle is designed to remind of the CR-X that was popular in the 1980's to 1990's for Honda. Honda was vague about the details of the vehicle when it revealed the concept car other than to report the car was only 161 inches long and would use a 1.5-liter i-VETEC 4-cylinder with Honda's IMA hybrid power train. The car is pegged to sell in the $19,000 to $25,000 range.

Autoblog reports that Honda has confirmed that the CR-Z will be coming to the U.S. in the fall of 2010 with a six-speed manual transmission. The vehicle should be the first hybrid vehicle to hit the states sporting a 6-speed manual transmission. Autoblog also notes that the images seen here of the concept are close to what the production vehicle will look like.

The LED lighting will likely change slightly and the mirrors will likely grow. As for official specifications for the powertrain, pricing, and performance; Honda offers no details at this point. The vehicle is set to go on sale in Japan in February so details should be coming around that time.

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RE: Confused
By walk2k on 10/21/2009 2:32:06 PM , Rating: 2
Not really, it's exactly the same as driving a normal manual, only you want to use engine braking a little bit more if you're driving for economy, but a good manual driver always uses engine braking for the same reason (and to save wear on the brakes).


RE: Confused
By Atheist Icon on 10/21/2009 5:19:18 PM , Rating: 2
I don't understand the use of engine braking unless you are going down a steep grade because you could cause brakes to fail if you used them constantly. I have only used the engine as a brake when I am trying to lock up the rear tires to initiate a powerslide.

I would rather replace the brakes every 5k miles than replace the clutch every 30k.


RE: Confused
By walk2k on 10/21/2009 7:10:38 PM , Rating: 2
Well in a hybrid, engine braking regens the battery so it's very effective.

In a normal car it's still a good idea because the ECU shuts off fuel to the engine. If you shift to neutral instead the engine still requires minimum fuel to idle. It can increase your MPG by a couple % - not alot but it's basically "free" braking and doesn't wear the pads/rotors.

I don't know what you mean about the clutch, engine braking shouldn't wear the clutch, unless it's slipping or something... It may wear transmission gears a bit more, but not very much under normal driving. During extreme driving (like racing, downshifting before a corner, very high RPMs etc) it can cause gears to fail, but if you're racing you're probably used to tearing things apart and replacing bits anyway.


RE: Confused
By Samus on 10/21/2009 7:19:36 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
I don't understand the use of engine braking


All you need to understand is when you engine brake, you don't use any fuel. When you idle, you do.

quote:
I would rather replace the brakes every 5k miles than replace the clutch every 30k.


What does engine braking have to do with clutch life? The only time you have clutch wear is during positive engagement. Engine braking doesn't involve changing gears...just stay in gear while slowing down (even if its a low gear) and take it out of gear as you stop.


RE: Confused
By Iridium130m on 10/21/2009 9:32:59 PM , Rating: 2
couple of thoughts...
in a hybrid...it isn't engine braking...in the current honda 1.3L engine, during deceleration, and in electric only mode, VTEC closes the valves completely to minimize engine compression and maximize regeneration.
in the non hybrid situation, i wouldn't make it a point to down shift from whatever gear I was in, only if I was in 4, 5 or 6th would I really leave the clutch out while slowing down. I would agree that dropping it to say 2nd at 40 mph would be hard on the drive train (and generally didn't reward me with fuel cut off in the V6 or regen in the insight cause the computer knew i was being stupid).


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