Trident Honda News - Cr-z

The restructuring of Honda's new model programme that led to the death of the new Honda NSX is much more extensive than previously thought. Honda is completely dismantling its plans for the next two years as it attempts to deal with the decline in new car sales across the world.

Among the casualties of Honda's rethink are a range of rear-wheel-drive cars to be sold under the Acura brand, a proposed V8 engine, a successor to the Honda S2000 and a convertible based on the forthcoming Honda CR-Z coupé.

Honda plans to boost its hybrid car sales with the launch of a new accessibly priced model next year, which it expects to sell 200,000 units of annually. The announcement came from Honda Motor Co CEO Takeo Fukui's mid-year address. The company will seek to further accelerate its hybrid sales by introducing a hybrid based on its Honda CR-Z, a new Civic Hybrid and the addition of a Jazz Hybrid model. With all four of these models, Honda expects combined annual sales of its hybrid models to reach 500,000 units.

Honda shows new Honda CR-Z concept car at Tokyo Motor Show.

CR-Z stands for Compact Renaissance Zero - an expression intended to capture the idea of a renaissance in the design of compact cars that begins anew from fundamentals. This design research model of a lightweight hybrid sports car features advanced technologies that deliver enjoyable driving for all while reducing the vehicle's environmental footprint.

The Small Hybrid Sports Concept is a compact sports car that features advanced hybrid technology – proving stylish design and driving enjoyment can be combined with low environmental impact. It was designed by Honda R&D Europe, based in Offenbach, Germany.

it will take hybrids into mainstream motoring

John Kingston, Environmental Manager, Honda UK.