Mugen Euro Building High-Performance Version of Honda CR-Z Hybrid

One of the biggest problems most see with Honda’s CR-Z hybrid sport hatch is the lack of a performance version. That may change soon enough as Mugen’s European division is readying a “highly-tuned” version of the CR-Z that it claims will deliver “Type R-like” performance. The faster and more powerful CR-Z Mugen prototype is being developed as a joint project between Honda UK and Mugen Euro, and it will make its world debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this July.

“This will be one quick hybrid,” said Martin Moll, Head of Marketing for Honda UK. “With more torque, more power and MUGEN’s experience of working with Honda cars, we’re expecting great things. It promises to show how hybrid cars can be even more exciting to drive.”

Honda said that the CR-Z MUGEN prototype will feature modifications to both the 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine and the Honda IMA system to boost power and torque, adding that these changes may also result in greater mpg and lower CO2 emissions during some conditions. Final power, torque and fuel economy figures are not yet known.

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Honda CR-Z Hybrid Coupe Sales to Start in Japan in February 2010, Jazz - Fit Hybrid at the end of 2010

For some twisted reason, Honda likes to remind us every once in a while that the CR-Z hybrid sports coupe and the hybrid version of the Jazz - Fit will enter production. But to completely fair, at least this time the Japanese automaker released some new information in the form of the JDM launch dates. According to Honda, customers in Japan will be able to buy the CR-Z from February 2010 and the Fit Hybrid (Jazz in Europe) sometime before the end of 2010.

Honda added that the start date for European sales of the spiritual successor of the CR-X coupe that is based on the 2007 Tokyo Show CR-Z concept car will be released toward the end of 2009.

And what about the Jazz Hybrid? Well, Honda's exact words were "the IMA system will also be introduced into the award-winning Honda Jazz within the next few years." In other words, don't expect to see the hybrid supermini arriving at Honda's European showroom any time soon.

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Euro NCAP's Best and Worst Performers of 2010

The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), which is similar to the American IIHS testing regimen, has released a list with the safest car in each vehicle category and the two worst performers overall of 2010. The cars that attained the coveted five star rating and achieved the highest overall score in their respective segment are:

------ Executive category: BMW 5 Series
------ Small Family category: Alfa Romeo Giulietta
------ Supermini category: Honda CR-Z
------ Small off-road 4×4 category: Kia Sportage
------ Small MPV category: Toyota Verso

On the other side of the fence are two models that achieved the poorest results of 2010. These are the Citroen Nemo with three stars and China's Landwind CV9 that received only two stars.

The European body noted that the cars in the top list "accomplished a high combined score based on the scores in each of the individual four areas of Euro NCAP’s assessment, while notably exceeding the thresholds for a 5 star overall rating". Along with the five top achievers, Euro NCAP said that the Suzuki Swift, Kia Venga, BMW X1, VW Sharan/Seat Alhambra, Citroen C4 all exceeded the 80% mark in overall score putting them on the runner-up list for the safest cars of 2010.

Commenting on the results, Dr Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP Secretary General said: “Every year, car manufacturers constantly work to innovate and make their cars better and safer for the driver, whatever the size of the vehicle. The presence in these categories of high performing 5 star cars demonstrates car manufacturers’ commitment to safety for all sizes of vehicles.”

In early 2009, Euro NCAP implemented tougher crash testing procedures that make it more difficult for vehicles to receive a five-star rating. Last year, the European body crash tested a total of twenty-nine vehicles from numerous categories, of which 65 per cent reached the five star rating, compared to 90% in 2009.

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Euro NCAP's Best and Worst Performers of 2010

The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), which is similar to the American IIHS testing regimen, has released a list with the safest car in each vehicle category and the two worst performers overall of 2010. The cars that attained the coveted five star rating and achieved the highest overall score in their respective segment are:

------ Executive category: BMW 5 Series
------ Small Family category: Alfa Romeo Giulietta
------ Supermini category: Honda CR-Z
------ Small off-road 4×4 category: Kia Sportage
------ Small MPV category: Toyota Verso

On the other side of the fence are two models that achieved the poorest results of 2010. These are the Citroen Nemo with three stars and China's Landwind CV9 that received only two stars.

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Silk Blaze Creates 271HP Honda CR-Z with HKS Turbocharger

One of the most striking Honda CR-Z proposals at this year's edition of the Tokyo Auto Salon came from Japanese tuning firm Silk Blaze. The heavily modded concept model boasts a full body kit with a new front bumper and grille assembly, side skirts, a rear wing and a new rear bumper with additional air vents on top, plus a diffuser and three-exhaust pipe openings in the center. The tuned CR-Z rides on deep-dish 19-inch alloys wrapped in chunky 225/30 rubber.

Even more impressive is the beast that lurks under the hood as the tuner said the CR-Z concept model features a HKS supercharged version of the 1.5-liter four-banger delivering 271-horses (202.4 kW). No other details were given about the powertrain upgrades in the firm's spec sheet. You can gaze upon the rest of the pictures after the break.

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VIDEO: Honda CR-Z TS-1X Concept Car Walk-Around

Revealed at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon, the Honda CR-Z TS-1X hybrid concept car is an impressive lil' beast with its stealthy matte-black paintjob and extensive aerodynamics package. The automaker’s initial press release was short on details, but, luckily, a walk-around clip (or shall we say talk-around?) has surfaced on Youtube, detailing some of the innovations developed by Honda.

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Honda to Debut CR-Z TS-1X Concept at this week's Tokyo Auto Salon

With the conclusion of the press days of the 2011 Detroit Motor Show, the automotive world is now shifting its focus on the Tokyo Auto Salon 2011, which will be held from Friday, January 14, to Sunday, January 16, at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan.

At this year's event, Honda will be presenting several vehicles including the TS-1X concept study based on the CR-Z hybrid. The prototype model is the work of Honda Access Corporation, the Japanese carmaker's in-house aftermarket division.

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Honda Germany Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Special Edition Models

Honda has launched a new series of special edition models in Germany to celebrated the company's 50th anniversary in Europe. The first Honda store in Germany opened in 1961 in the city of Hamburg. The lineup of special edition models includes the CR-Z hybrid sport hatch, the Civic, the CR-V, the Accord and the Jazz, all of which feature additional standard equipment such as larger alloy wheels and upgraded audio systems (depending on the model) without a price increase. More details on the 50th Anniversary specials can be found on Honda's German website.

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Noblesse Wings Up Honda CR-Z Hybrid Sport Hatch

Japanese tuner Noblesse has been steadily releasing numerous aftermarket bits and pieces for the new CR-Z ever since Honda launched its hybrid sport hatch . Among other parts, the company has developed a ground aero-kit with front and rear bumper aprons, side skirts, a rear diffuser and a large roof wing. These can be complemented by a lightweight carbon fiber hood, underbody aero parts, larger alloy wheels and a sport exhaust system. You can check out photos of Noblesse's Honda CR-Z offerings along with a video of a test car doing a circuit round right after the jump.

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New Honda CR-Z JCOTY Memorial Award Edition Shows off with Special Paint...and that's About it

To commemorate its "Japanese Car of the Year" award, Honda will release a limited edition of its CR-Z sport-hybrid hatch in Japan. Billed as a "Memorial Award Edition", the car will be coated in a hue called Pearl Deep Sapphire Blue and will roll on unique Dark Pewter Gray 16-inch rims.

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That's More Like It: Tuner Powers up Honda CR-Z with K20 i-VTEC Engine Swap

If there's one major complaint to be had with the Honda CR-Z, it's the lack of power. Florida-based tuning firm LHT Performance decided to address this problem by replacing the CR-Z's standard hybrid powerplant with a far more potent 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit from Honda's own K20 series. This is not the first time that LHT Performance has made the switch on a Honda hybrid as the tuner previously pulled a similar stunt with the Insight. Unfortunately the company has not released any specific details on the K20 engine swap, but it did not that "everything works 100%". Watch a static video of the car after the break.

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That's More Like It: Tuner Powers up Honda CR-Z with K20 i-VTEC Engine Swap

If there's one major complaint to be had with the Honda CR-Z, it's the lack of power. Florida-based tuning firm LHT Performance decided to address this problem by replacing the CR-Z's standard hybrid powerplant with a far more potent 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit from Honda's own K20 series. This is not the first time that LHT Performance has made the switch on a Honda hybrid as the tuner previously pulled a similar stunt with the Insight. Unfortunately the company has not released any specific details on the K20 engine swap, but it did not that "everything works 100%". Watch a static video of the car after the break.

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Honda CR-Z Roadster Die-cast Begs the Question; Should it Become a Reality?

From what we know, Honda has no official plans to build a roadster version of its CR-Z hybrid coupe. But that hasn't stopped others from trying - even if in this case, we're talking about a scaled down die-cast model. Too bad we couldn't find any additional pictures of the toy-sized model, and especially of the rear end. If you happen to have any information and/or pictures, you know the drill... Follow the break and share your thoughts on whether or not Honda should create a two-seater drop top version of its CR-Z.

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Honda CR-Z Roadster Die-cast Begs the Question; Should it Become a Reality?

From what we know, Honda has no official plans to build a roadster version of its CR-Z hybrid coupe. But that hasn't stopped others from trying - even if in this case, we're talking about a scaled down die-cast model. Too bad we couldn't find any additional pictures of the toy-sized model, and especially of the rear end. If you happen to have any information and/or pictures, you know the drill... Follow the break and share your thoughts on whether or not Honda should create a two-seater drop top version of its CR-Z.

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SEMA 2010: Honda CR-Z Hybrid Tuning Galore [45 Photos]

As promised, here are the rest of the tuned CR-Z hybrids featured in the Honda booth at the 2010 SEMA Show [click for the Mugen version and for Honda's concept studies]. If you follow the break, you can find the CR-Z in a variety of tunes ranging from Honda's own subtly accessorized HFP (Honda Factory Performance) model to Wraptivo's HKS supercharged prototype. Scroll down and tell us which one grabbed your attention the most.

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SEMA 2010: Honda CR-Z Hybrid Tuning Galore [45 Photos]

As promised, here are the rest of the tuned CR-Z hybrids featured in the Honda booth at the 2010 SEMA Show [click for the Mugen version and for Honda's concept studies]. If you follow the break, you can find the CR-Z in a variety of tunes ranging from Honda's own subtly accessorized HFP (Honda Factory Performance) model to Wraptivo's HKS supercharged prototype. Scroll down and tell us which one grabbed your attention the most.

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SEMA 2010: HPD CR-Z Hybrid R and Racer Concepts with 200HP Turbo Conversion

Next up on our Sema Show CR-Z menu after the production-ready Mugen version are two concept models created by Honda's North American racing company, Honda Performance Development or HPD for short. The CR-Z Hybrid R and CR-Z Racer studies were developed to demonstrate the potential of both street and racing performance.

The two cars share the same performance enhancements including a turbocharger and upgraded IMA hybrid system, which result in an estimated combined output of 200 horsepower and 175 lb-ft. of torque. Both models also get a performance clutch, limited-slip differential, 'circuit-tuned' suspension, upgraded brakes and aerodynamic components.

From there on, the Hybrid R model was developed for street use benefiting from certain sport touches to the interior such as the red steering wheel rim and Recaro bucket seats.

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SEMA 2010: HPD CR-Z Hybrid R and Racer Concepts with 200HP Turbo Conversion

Next up on our Sema Show CR-Z menu after the production-ready Mugen version are two concept models created by Honda's North American racing company, Honda Performance Development or HPD for short. The CR-Z Hybrid R and CR-Z Racer studies were developed to demonstrate the potential of both street and racing performance.

The two cars share the same performance enhancements including a turbocharger and upgraded IMA hybrid system, which result in an estimated combined output of 200 horsepower and 175 lb-ft. of torque. Both models also get a performance clutch, limited-slip differential, 'circuit-tuned' suspension, upgraded brakes and aerodynamic components.

From there on, the Hybrid R model was developed for street use benefiting from certain sport touches to the interior such as the red steering wheel rim and Recaro bucket seats.

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2011 Honda CR-Z Mugen Unveiled at SEMA, Production Limited to 300 Units

We'll soon bring you the full low-down on the customized and conceptual Honda CR-Z models from the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, but to whet your appetite, here's a brand new Mugen-accessorized version that will enter production in the spring of 2011. Only 300 of these kits will go on sale in the U.S. with pricing details to be made available closer to the on-sale date.

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2011 Honda CR-Z Mugen Unveiled at SEMA, Production Limited to 300 Units

We'll soon bring you the full low-down on the customized and conceptual Honda CR-Z models from the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, but to whet your appetite, here's a brand new Mugen-accessorized version that will enter production in the spring of 2011. Only 300 of these kits will go on sale in the U.S. with pricing details to be made available closer to the on-sale date.

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