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Honda puts fun into owning a hybrid By Jim Robinson Metroland Newspapers Carguide Magazine Can you have fun and drive a hybrid? Honda thinks they have the answer to that in the 2011 CR-Z. For those who go back a bit, the CR-X made from 1983-1991 was one of the most endearing cars Honda ever made. It was a small sporty coupe based on the Civic that had basically two seats with pert, chopped off tail. It didn't have a lot of power but the CR-X more than made up for that with nimble handing, frugal operation, affordable pricing and a whole lot of character. That Honda chose the name CRZ was not lost on journalists attending the press launch in Toronto although Honda claims it's just a coincidence. Right. Nonetheless, the CR-Z is also a two-seat sporty coupe with a pert, chopped off tail and styling that screams, "this car is a blast". And while the old CR-X was great on the gas, the new car goes a big one better; it's a hybrid. The CR-Z starts with a 1.5-litre, SOHC four-cylinder gasoline engine based on the unit used in the Fit. By itself, the engine produces 113 hp and 107 lb/ft of torque. It is then hooked up a new, thinner, lighter electric motor which is part of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) approach to hybrid cars. Unlike Toyota where the engine augments the battery, Honda uses the lithium-ion rechargeable battery to give the engine an extra shot of acceleration and torque, kind of like an electric supercharger. The motor gives 13 more horsepower, but more importantly, 58 lb/ft of torque. When they are combined the CR-V gives a rated 122 hp and 128 lb/ft of torque. You may notice that 107 and 58 lb/ft of torque don't add up to 128 lb/ft. That's because the two power plants make peak torque at quite different RPMs. The 128 lb/ft therefore is a rating of what torque is produced in real world conditions. FYI, estimated fuel consumption is 6.5/5.3/6.0L/100 km city/highway/combined with the standard six-speed manual transmission and 5.6/5.0/5.5L/100 km city/highway/combined for the optional Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). When it comes to the fun part, there are actually several ways to do it. We'll get to the ride and handling in a bit, but first is the 3-Mode Drive System. To the left of the instrument panel are three buttons marked Sport, Normal and Econ. Normal is the standard setting for engine response, steering, IMA and air conditioning. The engine always defaults to Normal at startup. Econ optimizes the system so IMA uses less power for better fuel consumption along with cutting back the power draw of the air conditioning. Power gives IMA priority toward performance by increasing throttle and electric steering response. Similar to the Honda Insight Hybrid, you can turn watching your fuel consumption into a game. The main instrument ahead of Looking like the sassy sporty car it is, the 2011 Honda CR-Z is also one of the most affordable hybrids on the Canadian marthe driver is a very large tachomeket. It is seen as a return to Honda core values of being frugal to operate and fun to drive. tre in the centre of which is a round gauge giving a digital display for speed and other driver info. But course slalom, people were throw- standard six airbags, electronic sta- sound system with seven speakers around the edge of this gauge is a ing the CR-Z around with great bility control, Xenon High is $23,490 for the manual and coloured ring that ranges from abandon with one journalist Intensity Discharge (HID) head- $24,290 for the CVT. That means, along with the green for good mileage, to blue for delighting in the low-end torque lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, fournot the best mileage to red for and the fact he could get the tail to wheel disc brakes with traction Civic Hybrid and the Insight, hang out on hairpin turns. control, tire pressure monitoring Honda offers the three lowest being fuel naughty. On a highway north of Toronto, I system, Bluetooth hands-free priced hybrids on the market. When you're in Sport, the ring And how much fun it that? stays red all the time, almost glar- drove the car mostly in Normal and phone link and 360-watt premium ing at you. In Normal, the ring my co-driver mostly in Sport. The transitions from green to blue to sports tuned suspension is already the point it is a like a video game pretty good, but it's even better in where bring green means you're Sport allowing you to enjoy the car good. Soon you find yourself feath- and stay under the posted speed ering the throttle and braking hard limit all at the same time. We also got a lot of looks in the to increase regenerative power to the battery in order to be as green CR-Z, mostly from kids but also from a lot of Honda driver/owners. as possible. At a stop for coffee a woman Econ mode means green almost all of the time. But there's a catch. pulled up beside me in a Honda Econ retards the IMA and Insight Hybrid and exclaimed how engine to the point that the car is she and like-minded hybrid owners very sluggish off the line. You'd are changing the world as she lit up · ALL 2010 new cars now have think this would be great in the a cigarette ­ go figure. AVAILABLE INVENTORY 0% finance up to 60 months. One thing you will have to get city, but with all manner of high11 - 2011 C30 · The all new XC60 special promotion 3 - 2011 C70 powered cars and trucks behind used to is the view through the rear 0% finance for 60 months. 9 - 2010 S40 you, operating in Sport is almost window panel. Like the Insight 3 - 2010 V50 · All new 2011 C30 Re-design. Hybrid the liftgate is chopped off at mandatory. 17 - 2010 XC60 0% finance for 60 months. Surprisingly to me, Econ worked the back with a vertical window. 18 - 2010 X70 · ALL Oakville residents are best on suburban streets on the out- The problem is there is a thick 29 - 2010 XC90 guaranteed our best in class Volvo skirts of the big city where the pace seam where the liftgate window price. meets the back window that is is more relaxed and civilized. · No charge scheduled oil changes up to 6 years or 160,000km Hit Sport when you're in directly in the line of sight, partialon any new Volvo*. Normal and you'll feel the surge of ly blocking the view of cars behind. · Local service support, courtesy cars and shuttles available There is cargo space for up to power come in. Go from Econ to for your convenience. Sport and the CR-Z vaults ahead. 711 litres. The CR-Z comes with a · Saturday: Free Car Washes. Go from Sport to Econ on the rear cargo cover that can be fitted · We will not be undersold, just ask us for more details on these highway and it's like you popped a at three different levels. In addigreat offers. tion, there is a rear cargo console parachute. See Volvo of Oakville for offer details. 60 month sample 0% finance $20,000, over 60 month At a stop, the engine shuts off behind the front seats providing a term, equals $333.00 per month for 60 months. *All oil changes must be performed at Volvo of and turns off the air to cut fuel con- hidden storage area complete with Oakville only. All programs subject to change without notice. Program Comences July 1st, 2010 sumption. Press in the clutch and two-zone tray. and Ends July 31st, 2010. Some restrictions may apply. I said there are several ways to the IMA starts the engine and off have fun in this car and another is you go. Out on the road, the handling cost. If you were expecting to pay was like a small sportscar, precise $30,000 or more, forget it. SERVICE DEPARTMENT OPEN SATURDAYS The 2011 CR-Z Hybrid with and with great feedback. At a closed 19 · Wednesday, July 21, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com 2010 NEW VEHICLE SELL DOWN Phone: (905) 825-8088 www.volvoofoakville.com