Honda CR-Z (2010) at Tokyo

Honda are showing the CR-Z Concept at Tokyo – a three door sports coupe hybrid – which will launch in the UK in 2010

Honda are calling the CR-Z a concept. But it’s not. It’s actually one of those ‘Concept’ cars that is ready to roll. It’s not a flight of fancy, but a production-ready car, which will turn up in showrooms in the middle of 2010, virtually unchanged from the show car Honda are bringing to the Tokyo Motor Show next month.

Honda are also calling the CR-Z the first Sports Hybrid in the world. And to emphasise that point the CR-Z will come equipped with a real six-speed manual ‘box instead of the irritating CVT boxes most hybrids get. Which should make it a more enjoyable drive.

When the CR-Z arrives in the UK next year, expect prices to start from a not unreasonable £18,500. Which probably pitches it against lower-end Sciroccos, although at around 13’ long its more of a super-mini sized sports hatch than anything else. Powered by the IMA petrol/electric hybrid setup – which is based on the not too terrific Insight platform – but with the the 1.5 i-VTEC in place of the Insight’s 1.3. That should yield something around 140bhp in conjunction with the electric motor.

Upping the petrol engine will improve the CR-Z’s performance quite a bit in comparison to the somewhat lethargic Insight. 0-60mph should drop below 9 seconds without too much penalty on the 64mpg the smaller engined Insight achieves.

Hrybrids are a fact of life. And they do improve economy. Our biggest criticism has always been the woeful CVT ‘boxes and the sense that budget hybrids are simply transport, not a ‘Drive’.

The Honda CR-Z could address that.