New CR-Z is awfully sporty for a hybrid

[SoCalDem]

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/reviews/healey/2010-06-18-honda-cr-z-test-drive_N.htm



NEW YORK — Honda's about to take another swing at selling a gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle as a sporty, performance car that just happens to have a hybrid drivetrain to save fuel.

That's similar to its pitch for the current Insight sedan hybrid, which has fallen well short of its goal to dent Toyota Prius sales.

The pitch also is like the one Honda made for the Accord V-6 hybrid a few years back. Yep, marketed that one right into extinction.

PHOTOS: More views of the Honda CR-Z

But Honda's sure the performance-first approach will work this time.

It better, because the CR-Z two-seat, sporty, hybrid coupe doesn't win any fuel-sipping prizes. You could do nearly as well in a Mini Cooper, get more passenger space and fit in smaller spots than the CR-Z. Mini costs more, though.

The CR-Z, on sale Aug. 24, resembles no other Honda. It's mechanically similar to the Insight, but it seemed more pleasant and refined.

CR-Z's mileage ratings are in the 30s, hardly outstanding for a hybrid. Honda says federal rules required the mileage to be tested in the car's "normal" mode. If you use the "econ" mode and drive delicately, you could top 50 mpg, they say.

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[MiniMe]

1. The other thing is they made a CRX, which was a pretty cool car

It was quite a popular car. People who had them loved them, so they could be counting on some buyers from the CRX line.

[AndyA]

2. Buy American. Stop supporting foreign corporations.

Put America first for a change.

[kgnu_fan]

3. American companies should start making something better

We ship out our own jobs overseas, destroy labor unions, pollute homeland and sea, invade other countries ...etc with full support of American people and we call "democracy" ....and blame others for whatever... need a real change...

[madokie]

5. Tell me what someone else makes that is better than what we make here

Not a thing can I think of.

[Fumesucker]

7. OK..

There is no US made equivalent to the Kawasaki Concours, nothing even close now that Harley has dropped the Buell.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_Concours

The Kawasaki Concours, known in Europe as the GTR1000, is a 997 cc, six speed, four cylinder, liquid-cooled sport touring motorcycle with shaft drive. The bike can reach speeds over 120 mph (190 km/h), offers nimble handling and – with its full fairing, tall screen, twin locking panniers, and 7.5 US gallons (28 l; 6.2 imp gal) fuel capacity – is suited to cross-country two-up touring.

Kawasaki introduced the Concours in 1986, based on their Ninja 900 and Ninja 1000 models. Key differences between the Ninja 1000 and the ZG1000 included 32 mm instead of 36 mm carburetors, less aggressively ramped cams, shaft drive, front and rear sub-frames, hard luggage, and full fairing. The Concours was introduced into the USA the year after the slower BMW K100LT at less than two-thirds the price of the BMW machine. Both bikes were tested by the magazine Motorcyclist, which came out in favor of the Kawasaki concluding that it was "the most practical, useful and competent motorcycle made" and "superior to the BMW in almost every aspect imaginable".<1>

From 1986 to 1993 the design was largely unchanged aside from modifications to the screen, handlebars and other very minor changes. In 1994 Kawasaki updated the instrument cluster, forks, controls, front fender, front brakes, and the front wheel. From 1994 to 2006, the design again experienced only minor changes: fork protectors and exhaust tips. As the Concours first generation endured with few revisions, experienced mechanics and used parts are readily available.

[madokie]

4. That'll be met with disdain I'm sure

its as simple as that. If we want to do something for the American Worker buying American company products is the first step to take.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

8. I will inform the good people of Marysville OH you have stripped them of their citizenship

Who is doing more for the American worker, someone driving a Ford Fusion made in Mexico or me driving a Honda Accord made in Ohio?

Support jobs for Americans, don't support some of the most worthless corporations to have ever existed just because they happen to have been established here.

[Freddie Stubbs]

9. Many 'foreign' car manufacturers build their cars in the US, employing American workers

[madrchsod]

6. my 86 crx got 40 at 75mph on interstate roads

35-40 on two lane roads and 30-35 in town. the cf models were at least 5 mpg better.



if i won the lottery i`d buy a cr-z.