Honda CR-Z hybrid will become reality

Coming in 2009?

Honda has announced that its lightweight hybrid sports car, the CR-Z, is going into production.

The concept CR-Z hybrid is coupled with Honda's current hybrid technology, and is now set to launch when Honda begins selling its new family hybrid - a hybrid only vehicle - in 2009.

While Honda has stated that the new hybrid coupe concept utilizes the same hybrid powertrain found in the Civic hybrid, it isn't clear whether Honda's hybrid powertrain will be updated for the launch of these new hybrid cars. My hunch, however, is that an upgrade is forthcoming.

Since Honda wants to start selling at least a quarter million hybrid vehicles by 2009, a few changes to Honda's hybrid technology seem necessary.

Honda CR-Z Hybrid on display in Tokyo

No change in hybrid technology?

"The CR-Z is a next-generation lightweight sports car equipped with Honda’s original gas-electric hybrid system which achieves both clean performance and a high level of torque," notes a Honda website.

Keywords in that sentence, "lightweight" and "original".

Certainly, decreasing the weight of a vehicle can have a significant impact on fuel economy, however, it is a bit disappointing to hear that this next generation hybrid might use Honda's "original gas-electric hybrid system".

Once again, it seems Honda is still very cautious regarding hybrid cars.

Click her for more on the CR-Z from Honda.