Hot Honda Hybrid on the Cards

Mar 22 2011

Honda has confirmed rumours that they are going to bring out a hot new version of its CR-Z hybrid car.  Auto loan buyers will get a sneak preview of the car at this year's Goodwood Festival of speed that takes place in July.

 

The MUGEN model will be powered by a 1.5 litre petrol engine, which is boosted by the company's Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system.  This is the same engine as the standard CR-Z.  Modifications to the exhaust, induction and ECU will make the engine more powerful.  The hybrid motor will also have a higher power output than that of the standard CR-Z.

 

Honda is unable to provide performance figures for the new model at present, but what they were prepared to say is that the new car will have similar performance levels to that of the Type-R.  If that is the case the new CR-Z will certainly be no sluggard: 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds, a top speed of 146mph and power output of 198 bhp.

 

The standard CR-Z is much slower off the mark with an acceleration time of 9.8 seconds for the 0-60mph sprint.  Current top speed is 124 miles per hour and the combined power produced by the petrol engine and the hybrid motor is 112 bhp.

 

Auto loan buyers will no doubt be glad to hear that Honda expects the new CR-Z to deliver better fuel economy as well.

 

Safety conscious auto loan customers will appreciate the fact that the suspension and brakes of the standard model have also been upgraded to provide better handling at high speeds.  To reduce the weight of the car, Honda has thrown in a set of MUGEN lightweight alloy wheels.

 

Author: Louise Hutchinson

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