<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-32776" src="http://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/crz_1.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="328" />
The participation of the Toyota Prius into the Super GT race series had stirred quite a number of responses, since the car is a hybrid and is nothing that one could even call as “sporty”.* Of course, after some major tweaks on the bodywork and the power output, it does look like a proper GT race car. But the Prius is no longer going to be the only hybrid car in the game as Honda has just completed its own for Japan’s fastest Gran Touring race series, the CR-Z.
<a href="http://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/crz_2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-32777" src="http://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/crz_2-600x338.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="338" /></a>
Born with a sleek and sporty look, Honda’s new sporty hybrid hatchback will be competing in the Super GT’s GT300 class, going against the other built-to-race opponents like the Mercedes SLS and the Nissan GT-R. Of course, it is not a major concern since the power output in all the GT300 cars is limited to 300 horsepower, but it is still going to be a challenge.
<a href="http://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/crz_3.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-32778" src="http://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/crz_3-600x333.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="333" /></a>
Since the CR-Z’s hybrid drivetrain only delivers 122 horsepower, Honda replaced it with a 2.8-liter twin-turbo V6 engine matched with a custom racing hybrid system to match the others in the class. The body panels were also replaced with carbon fiber for weight reduction, besides of having the interior stripped and having a roll cage fitted.
<a href="http://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/crz_4.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-32779" src="http://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/crz_4-600x360.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="360" /></a>
Racing hybrid Shakedown(MUGEN CR-Z GT) #lovecars #supergt #honda #hybrid - YouTube
The car had recently gone through its testing session at the Twin Ring Motegi race circuit under the hands of Hideki Mutoh. Dubbed the Mugen CR-Z GT, this new entry will be operated by Team Mugen and will be making an appearance in the fourth round of the 2012 race series at Sportsland SUGO, with Formula Nippon driver Daisuke Nakajima behind the wheels.
Sources:
<a href="http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/07/mugen-honda-cr-z-gt-revealed-with-twin-turbo-v6.html">http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/07/mugen-honda-cr-z-gt-revealed-with-twin-turbo-v6.html</a>
<a href="http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1077469_honda-to-race-cr-z-hybrid-in-japans-super-gt-series">http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1077469_honda-to-race-cr-z-hybrid-in-japans-super-gt-series</a>
The participation of the Toyota Prius into the Super GT race series had stirred quite a number of responses, since the car is a hybrid and is nothing that one could even call as “sporty”.* Of course, after some major tweaks on the bodywork and the power output, it does look like a proper GT race car. But the Prius is no longer going to be the only hybrid car in the game as Honda has just completed its own for Japan’s fastest Gran Touring race series, the CR-Z.
<a href="http://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/crz_2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-32777" src="http://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/crz_2-600x338.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="338" /></a>
Born with a sleek and sporty look, Honda’s new sporty hybrid hatchback will be competing in the Super GT’s GT300 class, going against the other built-to-race opponents like the Mercedes SLS and the Nissan GT-R. Of course, it is not a major concern since the power output in all the GT300 cars is limited to 300 horsepower, but it is still going to be a challenge.
<a href="http://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/crz_3.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-32778" src="http://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/crz_3-600x333.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="333" /></a>
Since the CR-Z’s hybrid drivetrain only delivers 122 horsepower, Honda replaced it with a 2.8-liter twin-turbo V6 engine matched with a custom racing hybrid system to match the others in the class. The body panels were also replaced with carbon fiber for weight reduction, besides of having the interior stripped and having a roll cage fitted.
<a href="http://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/crz_4.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-32779" src="http://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/crz_4-600x360.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="360" /></a>
Racing hybrid Shakedown(MUGEN CR-Z GT) #lovecars #supergt #honda #hybrid - YouTube
The car had recently gone through its testing session at the Twin Ring Motegi race circuit under the hands of Hideki Mutoh. Dubbed the Mugen CR-Z GT, this new entry will be operated by Team Mugen and will be making an appearance in the fourth round of the 2012 race series at Sportsland SUGO, with Formula Nippon driver Daisuke Nakajima behind the wheels.
Sources:
<a href="http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/07/mugen-honda-cr-z-gt-revealed-with-twin-turbo-v6.html">http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/07/mugen-honda-cr-z-gt-revealed-with-twin-turbo-v6.html</a>
<a href="http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1077469_honda-to-race-cr-z-hybrid-in-japans-super-gt-series">http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1077469_honda-to-race-cr-z-hybrid-in-japans-super-gt-series</a>
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