The CR-Z - A Hybrid Like No Other

d4rk

Known Member
Jul 26, 2010
305
1,368
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Johor Bahru


When hybrid vehicles first came into the world some 10 odd years ago, it was looked upon as a gimmicky way to save the environment, appealed to the more rich and famous who wanted to look like they're giving back to society. What's worse is that they were a huge turn off for petrol heads as the only performance you get from hybrids at the time were performance in fuel savings and nothing else. Not until the CR-Z came breathing into life...



Making its debut back in 2010 at the North American International Auto Show, the CR-Z has become the star for sports hybrid cars. And unlike most of the hybrids that roam the roads today, the CR-Z is truly a head turner, where for the first time ever, it is a hybrid that actually looked cool. Paying homage to the 1980s CR-X, the CR-Z has much more flair accentuated by its sleek looks of a sports coupe slash hatchback form.



Another huge contribution to the craze is a 6-speed manual box that allowed drivers to fully manipulate the battery assisted 1.5 engine. It also pays homage to the 1980s super-popular CR-X that the CR-Z somewhat inherits though it now has much more flair, accentuated by its sleek looks of a sports coupe slash hatchback form.



And it is not just in looks the CR-Z score points on; this FF machine packs quite a punch (moderately so), combining its 1.5l NA engine with an electric motor to generate 122bhp. Some might argue that it is not that quick a car to earn that sporty title. But then again, the CR-Z was never designed to match Honda's Typ-R line up, or to set world beating lap records.



However it is still a light, easy-to-live-with sporty hatch, offering dollops of driving excitement through its nimbleness in negotiating bends, made even more fun with the IMA Motor assisted boost adding on 13bhp at wide open throttle. So without these individually contributing attributes, the CR-Z wouldn't have been this special. You see, It's not given a lot of power, but it allows you to access all of it. It's doesn't corner on rails but provides a good base with positive handling with potential for "upgrades"



And to bring up a new breath into the local motorsports scene, this year’s Zerotohundred Time To Attack will come with a whole new category catered specifically for cars like the CR-Z, called the Performance Hybrid Class. So expect cars like this nicely modified CR-Z to run along with the usual faces in competitive motorsports like the Evos and Type Rs.



This particular CR-Z may look tame, but do not let the looks deceive you. Stripped interior, BRIDE bucket seat for the driver, Blitz suspensions, Cusco front strut bar, J’s Racing exhaust, and not to forget those nicely fit Volk CE28 rims, this does not look like a hybrid car that one will just drive around in town for fun.







So how will it stand out among the others when the going gets tough? Drop by Sepang International Circuit this 20th May for the Time To Attack Round 1 and find out first hand!
 

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