11/02/2010 - LAS VEGAS
Twelve modified 2011 Honda CR-Z
sport hybrid coupes are featured prominently in the Honda booth at the
2010 SEMA Show, which opens today. As the first available sport hybrid,
the CR-Z demonstrates new opportunities for vehicle personalization
among the import tuner community. Several significant vehicles are being
unveiled at the show, including a 2011 CR-Z equipped with MUGEN*
accessories, the Honda Performance Development, Inc. (HPD) CR-Z Hybrid R
Concept, the HPD CR-Z Racer and several vehicles equipped with Honda
Genuine Accessories.
"With the CR-Z sport hybrid coupe, drivers
can achieve the great efficiency of a hybrid car without giving up the
fun that many demand from a sporty car," said Bruce Smith, vice
president of Parts Operations for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "The
combination of greener practicality with style and fun makes this
vehicle a perfect fit for young, environmentally conscious buyers
looking to further personalize their cars."
A 2011 CR-Z equipped
with MUGEN accessories is also being revealed, and Honda announced that
in the spring of 2011, it will begin sales of a limited-edition MUGEN
accessory kit for the vehicle. Limited to only 300 complete kits, the
package includes: a full MUGEN body kit; a front grille; a rear wing
spoiler; 17-inch "XJ" aluminum wheels; sport mats; a unique black
aluminum shift knob and a billet aluminum oil-filler cap. Further, after
purchase, each owner will receive a unique serial-number plaque
designating each kit as one of 300 available. All of the painted parts
will come color-matched to each of the five available CR-Z colors.
Pricing details will be made available closer to the on-sale date.
Also
unveiled today were two concept vehicles from HPD: the CR-Z Hybrid R
Concept and the HPD CR-Z Racer. Though neither vehicle is intended for
sale, HPD, Honda's North American racing company, was determined to
demonstrate the potential of the CR-Z for both street and racing
performance. Both vehicles share many performance enhancements, with the
CR-Z Hybrid R Concept highlighting Honda-designed street styling and
the HPD CR-Z Racer opting for serious racing capability. To demonstrate
that capability, HPD will campaign two HPD CR-Z Racers at the 25 Hours
of Thunderhill endurance race in December. HPD enhancements to both cars
include: a turbocharger and upgraded IMA™ hybrid system, resulting in
an estimated combined 200 horsepower and 175 lb-ft. of torque;
performance clutch; limited-slip differential; 'circuit-tuned'
suspension; upgraded brakes and aerodynamic components.
Two
vehicles were on display to demonstrate currently available Honda
Genuine Accessories. For the CR-Z, Honda displayed a vehicle equipped
with 17-inch alloy wheels; side, front lip and tailgate spoilers; a rear
diffuser; an illuminated door-sill trim and an interior armrest.
Additionally, a 2010 Accord Coupe equipped with dealer-installed Honda
Factory Performance™ (HFP™) components melded a distinctive, custom
appearance with an enhanced level of handling performance. All Honda
Genuine Accessories offer the same 3-year/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper
warranty as the rest of the vehicle, when installed at the time of new
vehicle purchase, and are engineered to be fully compatible with each
Honda vehicle.
On display as a demonstration concept only, the
Accord Crosstour HFP Concept features 19-inch HFP wheels; a full HFP
body kit and front grille; a prototype lowered HFP sport suspension;
color-matched door handles and special black-out door sash trim.
Reaching out to the import community, Honda
invited six independent vehicle tuners to build and display their CR-Z
hybrid concepts at the SEMA Show. Tuners were asked to push the limits
to improve fuel economy and performance with their builds, and the
vehicles on display show the variety of directions in which a
personalized sport hybrid can go. Beyond this group, both the Los
Angeles Auto Show and Honda Tuning Magazine displayed their CR-Z special
project cars in the Honda booth.