Honda just unveiled its CR-Z Concept at Tokyo Motor Show, but has already announced that a variation of the car will make production by 2009. The Japanese automaker failed to mention any details about the production vehicle, but did indicate that it would follow the concept’s green yet sporty intentions.
Powered by a gasoline-hybrid engine, Honda says CR-Z stands for ‘Compact Renaissance Zero.’ However Honda explains how they ended up with the CR-Z name, the car is an obvious successor to the popular CRX hatchback of the 1980s and early 90s.
Honda calls the CR-Z a “lightweight sports car,” indicating that it will have the performance to backup its sporty looks — highlighted by an over-sized grill and twin front air ducts. Honda failed to release any specific information about the show or production car, but it’s believed that the CR-Z shares its powertrain with the current Civic Hybrid.
The CR-Z’s interior follows the design theme of “Hi-tech and Sporty,” achieved by a very futuristic instrument panel. Honda also designed the interior to seem very airy and spacious by using mesh material on a simple framework.



10/09, 8:27 AM
posted by:
christianboy10
nice bring back the crx or anything like it
10/09, 8:29 AM
posted by:
RicardoHead
And, being a Honda concept, we will see it on the street ……….. never.
So who erally gives a flying flip?
10/09, 8:29 AM
posted by:
autonut
I love Hondas and owned at least half a dozen of them, bit this thing is hideous. It’s a throwback to 70s: blind spots galore and the only way to change lanes to use cameras. If not for glass roof it would be darker then a cave and I hate digital speedometers! There is something “romantic” in analogue gages.
10/09, 8:36 AM
posted by:
Rotman
If it resembles anything like the new Civic I’d say: please don’t, really don’t bring it out.
10/09, 8:38 AM
posted by:
jm1681
I’d rock it
10/09, 9:00 AM
posted by:
christianboy10
its a nice concept im sure the production model would’nt look the some
10/09, 9:11 AM
posted by:
CTS DRIVER
i kind of like the overall shape i think it looks good, although i agree with autonutt about the blind spots, but the front end really does look good.
10/09, 9:14 AM
posted by:
atourya
heh… to me it looks like a mix between the RX-8 and last gen’s C Class hatchback.
I like it though. I still think that they should refine the S2000 instead of dropping it entirely.
10/09, 9:19 AM
posted by:
Commodore
Besides the fact that it looks wayy too much like a Mazda (or at least Mazda’s Kuzare or whatever concepts), its okay. I don’t like it too much though from the B-pillar back
10/09, 9:30 AM
posted by:
55amg
the front is abit like the Masserati quattroporte but it looks good. Hey, honda made the civic like the concept so maybe this will be the looks if it goes into production
10/09, 9:52 AM
posted by:
F451
Both Honda and Toyota appear to be taking more risks with design-to-production, so maybe it will see the light of day. Nice looking vehicle.
10/09, 10:29 AM
posted by:
Mar Solo
A mini Honda-Ghini looking thing.
I like it.
10/09, 10:37 AM
posted by:
Get Real
Don’t run gasoline, run diesel.
10/09, 10:52 AM
posted by:
EVOQ
Maybe I’m in the minority, but I think it looks kinda hot! Maybe with a slightly smaller or different grill, but other than that it’s cool. I love the wheels.
10/09, 10:56 AM
posted by:
gumby
definitely like this concept, it would probably still look sweet once they do away with the concept headlights and probably stick in something similar to the new civic, the main grill is a little mazda-ish though…
10/09, 11:08 AM
posted by:
jamaicandude
Typical concept car frills, but the overall basic shape is pretty neat. I’m sure it would look great in production trim… the new CRX maybe?
10/09, 11:28 AM
posted by:
MY Si
YES! Si PLEASE!
10/09, 11:29 AM
posted by:
Kaizen
The windows and rear remind me of the Toyota Hybrid-X conecept/Prius.
10/09, 11:42 AM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
It looks Italian.
Don’t make it into a new CReXcrement!
V8, RWD or Mid-engine V10
10/09, 12:08 PM
posted by:
R1GHT30U5
They need to drop the window line parallel to the ground instead of 90 degrees up from the side mirror. The interior is horrid but definitely concept. The nose is a little pointy. This will be a nice replacement for the Insight if done right. I will buy one if these if the MPG is good, visibility is good, and if the interior isn’t ugly.
10/09, 12:45 PM
posted by:
Deanster
Looks cool, except for the Lexus IS grill and the part about it sharing engines with the Civic Hybrid. If this is going to be neutered down to 125 hp, they can keep it.
10/09, 12:54 PM
posted by:
Jazz
pffft – Bring back the Prelude!
10/09, 12:57 PM
posted by:
TFuture
This interior is horrible, the tail need different head lights but otherwise keep it were it is. Im loving this concept otherwise.
10/09, 12:59 PM
posted by:
LP640
wow this actually looks very very good
10/09, 1:02 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
I like it. Though I doubt it’ll look this nice in the real world or as a production unit. Still I could be a good product for HONDA. However the CIVIC Coupe is still one of the best compacts HONDA has ever deployed.
I don’t see this car happening, given that.
10/09, 1:05 PM
posted by:
67_L-88
Intersetting, a honda i find very attractive.
10/09, 1:26 PM
posted by:
pumice99
Honda needs to lose the air vent grill theme.
10/09, 3:01 PM
posted by:
Boxster2.7L
Can you say next-generation CR-X?
10/09, 3:17 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
L-88:
What about a GL 650?
10/09, 3:33 PM
posted by:
illwill
Damn this is ugly!
10/09, 4:01 PM
posted by:
journey4him
I guess CRY was taken…
10/09, 6:34 PM
posted by:
autonutt
LOL @ CRY! I actually like this concept a lot.. I’d like to see Honda revive the CRX in FE(Hybrid) and Si(200hp) versions – both at the same price!
10/10, 10:59 AM
posted by:
global_lightning
I see a lot of the Acura TL in the front and rear, especially the light clusters. The interior is straight out of the FCX Concept.
Overall I like it. To make it to production, they will need to address the interior space (I can’t imagine anyone over 5′6″ fitting in there) and the rearward visibility (too much 350Z; the CRX has great sightlines)
10/25, 2:28 PM
posted by:
CA36GTP
Horrible concept. Change 90% of it, and maybe it’ll be as good as the junky Civic.
What happened to Honda? The only good-looking cars from them these days are Acuras in the North American market.
10/25, 2:33 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
The new accord looks good.
10/25, 2:34 PM
posted by:
golf4me
Looks like the last version of the Cougar to me…plus with the Hype-rid silliness, it’s just not interesting. Sorry, green exciting. It’s an oxymoron. Just call a spade a spade and call it a commuter car.
10/25, 3:06 PM
posted by:
global_lightning
Good. Honda needs a new halo car that combines the sportiness of the CRX with the fuel economy of the Insight. Price it around $20K and the line starts behind me.
10/25, 3:08 PM
posted by:
jamaicandude
Typical showcar stuff, but the potential is definitely there. What would be really be a kicker is if Honda stuck this on top of some variation of the S2000’s RWD platform. I know, I know… it’d probably never ever happen, but it would be interesting.
10/25, 3:12 PM
posted by:
cardesigner5
cool car but the front lack’s impact and looks a bit generic
10/25, 3:18 PM
posted by:
atourya
looks like a good RSX to me. I like it overall… if they could make it more functional, like the GTI, that would be great.
10/25, 3:19 PM
posted by:
atourya
the back end looks similar to the C Class hatchback, doesn’t it?
10/25, 4:21 PM
posted by:
shdbwrkn
sweet, just in time for the end of my civic lease!
10/25, 5:07 PM
posted by:
rompn4x
This is a joke right? Oh well the Euro’s will love it they are into this ugly stuff I guess.
10/25, 5:54 PM
posted by:
mazdaman
I’m not a big Honda fan, but I think it looks kind of cool. Not in an “I gotta have it” sense. More like an “alternative choice on my shopping list” kind of way.
I would definitely rather be seen in this than in a Prius. At least it has a degree of sportiness in its looks, as opposed to the Prius’ bizarre egg shape appearance.
10/25, 8:03 PM
posted by:
Ian
This is kinda cool. future space look to it
10/25, 8:21 PM
posted by:
c4Menace
good. maybe the rest of the industry will follow the futuristic look.
10/25, 8:39 PM
posted by:
kansei
It looks like they took an RX-8 and beat it mercilessly for days with the ugly stick.
The interior is fun, but like most concept cars the interior is the farthest from production.
10/25, 8:52 PM
posted by:
CA36GTP
And the RX-8 already took a good whacking with that stick in the first place. It didn’t need any more, LOL
10/25, 8:55 PM
posted by:
gtv6
It does not look Italian… who said that? Look at the snout on this thing. Terrible.
10/25, 9:00 PM
posted by:
CA36GTP
Actually, I can see a vague sense of Maserati in the front if I go looking for it.
That’s not a good thing.
10/25, 11:20 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
There is nothing attractive about 2001 space odyssey design. Following the priciple of design in the MDX, RDX, and the Civic, this adds to a list of garbage that will be viewed as whacky years from now. But there’s always a sucker, like ‘1115′, who’ll love this trend.
10/25, 11:54 PM
posted by:
tripleonefive
ok JJT Impulsive or AMG
Speaking of the MDX I need one of those bad I think its time for a trade.
10/26, 9:07 AM
posted by:
cookie4me
I like the snout, probably more pronounced than anything that will make production but I like the look.
10/26, 11:03 AM
posted by:
Impulsive
Like I stated, there’s always a sucker.
10/26, 11:32 AM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
Why the “MDX” and not the regular pilot?
10/26, 11:50 AM
posted by:
CA36GTP
The MDX is far more attractive than the dorky Pilot.
10/26, 1:17 PM
posted by:
murphy1
never cared much for honda, but i like this alot….if only it would make it to the streets, which we know it probably wont…….what a shame…
10/26, 1:57 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
“Duck Dodgers in the 24th and a half century”.
10/26, 6:14 PM
posted by:
tripleonefive
Because they are two different vehicles inside and out The new MDX is nice Ive driven the 04 and the 07 and while the 04 drive great the 07 is a huge improvement on an already great SUV
10/26, 6:51 PM
posted by:
LP640
cool
10/29, 11:34 AM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
No, they’re not
11/10, 11:17 AM
posted by:
tripleonefive
JJT,
When you accuse a vehicle of “just being ” another vehicle the general rule is the Vehicle you are comparing should be a cheap unreliable vehicle like lets say .. A Tempo …A Cimmaron ..or a K Car
When you say “it’s just an Accord†or “it’s just a Pilot†you only look like an idiot bc the Accord and the Pilot are class leaders from a company that has a car with the highest resale value not to mention is one of the best sellers. The cars share the same platform but they have diff sheet metal, engines, and driving dynamics.
GM uses the same platform to make 4 versions of the same vehicle The Enclave you are buying on your janitors salary is just a Traverse There is a 10k difference btw those vehicles and they aren’t proven reliable or dependable yet. At least this time they made the interiors different and designed them different but they all share the same platform and engine. The cosmetics are different. Those vehicles are the same and you are spending Buick $$$ on a Chevy
10/02, 12:17 PM
posted by:
Robin_Thrush
proud to be a owner of a ‘87 CRX. 40mpg ~
the front end on this car looks like some sort of evil mouse with blue eyes.
the side of it reminds me of a Ford Focus with a chopped top
and the back looks like the front of a Spartans Helmet (like in the movie 300?)
lol.
5 out 10