Honda is all set to corner the small, two-door hybrid "sporty" car market with its CR-Z coupe, but rumors now indicate that Nissan could have a little something up its corporate sleeves along a similar vein as well. Powered by a 1.5 liter four cylinder engine along with an electric motor of undetermined size, this hybrid would be based on the same platform as Nissan's Tiida economy car. The small hatchback would be intended primarily for Europe, and we have no idea if the concept is being considered for other markets. Rumors suggest that a DSG transmission would be used in lieu of the more common CVT automatic used by most hybrids. Interestingly, drag could be reduced by using aerodynamic underbody panels, as is done on the amazing GT-R sportscar.

Also in line for a possible hybrid using the same drivetrain would be Nissan's main partner, Renault. If these rumors prove true, expect a launch in late 2010. Thanks for the tip, Steve!

[Source: 7Tune.com]

Click on the image above to enlarge

It's no secret that we were stoked to see Honda re-entering the dedicated hybrid game with the announcement that they would soon be entering production with their CR-Z concept. What's cool is that Honda has seen fit to allow you to show your enthusiasm too. Click here to go straight to Honda's survey regarding the new hybrid hatch. If you want to brush up on your knowledge about the CR-Z, click here for some of our coverage, then go here for Honda's CR-Z minisite.

While the upcoming Honda "global-hybrid" is the likely sales leader and Prius-fighter, we like that Honda is reviving the concept of the fun-to-drive CRX as an environmentally-friendly sporty car which should go a long way towards showing people that driving green can also be driving fun.

[Source: Honda, thanks for the tip, kt]

The Wall Street Journal reports Honda is considering ethanol and more natural gas-powered cars. In the past Honda has not been positive on ethanol. Here is Honda's U.S. sales chief John Mendel, speaking in August 2006, when asked about making flex fuel cars:

We're not against it. ... In the list of priorities right now, we haven't moved it up the list. It is less efficient from a fuel-economy standpoint.

Why is ethanol suddenly a priority a little over a year later? The ethanol glut currently in the market and the energy bill's inclusion of an even greater push for biofuels, makes adding a $100 worth of technology to your car a no-brainer.

The Wall Street Journal article also mentions a new affordable Honda hybrid in 2009, which seems to be the CR-Z. The only thing new seems to be that by "affordable," Honda means a hybrid premium under $2,000 which sounds a little higher than the $1,750 premium Honda has said before.

The Wall Street Journal also says Honda is considering diesel for larger cars to comply with new fuel efficiency requirement in the pending energy bill. They would not elaborate on which diesel technology is under consideration.

Related:

• Honda's new dedicated hybrid to be a high-volume model
• Honda says no to ethanol, says it's not efficient
• Honda's environmental strategy includes diesels, affordable hybrid
  
• 2009 Honda Accord diesel to hit 52 mpg!

[Source: Wall Street Journal]

Honda unveiled what is expected to be their next-generation hybrid vehicle in October at the Tokyo Motor Show in the shape of the CR-Z coupe. The CR-Z is a twenty-first century successor to the old Civic base CR-X coupe now powered by Honda's Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system. The CR-Z will make its North American debut at the Detroit Auto Show next month. The CR-Z is expected to go into production as soon as 2009.

[Source: Honda]

Move over Honda Civic hybrid and Toyota Camry hybrid! If these videos from the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show are any indicators, the new hybrids coming out in the near future are going to be amazing. The video above is loud without much information other than CR-Z stands for compact renaissance zero but, hey, it's from a car show, what do you expect? Below the fold is a more informative video about the CR-Z. Also below the fold is a video all about the Toyota Crown hybrid concept.

[Source: YouTube]

The cars from the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show aren't news to any of us at this point, but we can now gawk anew at the Pivo 2 and the CR-Z hybrid, the Lexus LF-Xh and the Subaru G4e (above) in screen-saver quality phots. Other vehicles our new gallery include the Toyota 1/X Concept, the Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid and the Audi metroproject quattro design study. You can click on any of the names highlighted above to see high-resolution photos or on one of the thumbnails below and scan your way through all 45 images.

I swear, Honda's soon-to-be-produced CR-Z looks better each time I look at it. You?


[Source: Newspress]

For every major auto show these days, Honda presents a gallery of images and videos on its corporate website. For the 40th Tokyo Motor Show, which is now taking place, Honda is highlighting not just the CR-Z hybrid and FCX and Puyo, but also the good old Civic hybrid and wheelchair accessibility.

You can watch a video of the new CR-Z hybrid concept here (although I'll admit I wasn't able to watch the whole thing. It's supposed to be a minute long, but it kept stalling after 15 seconds when I tried to watch). The full speech by Honda president and CEO Takeo Fukui can be seen (well, I had the same hanging video problem) and read here. Hm, stalling video and no high-res images? I think Autoblog does it better.

[Source: Honda]

When Honda unveiled the sweet-looking CR-Z hybrid earlier this month, the general response was "gimme, gimme, gimme." Now, along with the announcement that the FCX will go into production soon, Honda is seeing the light with the CR-Z: it will enter production and be available for sale (maybe) in 2009. The two-seat CR-Z hybrid will not replace the upcoming "global hybrid" (which will be a family car) and will instead join it in the showroom.

The Environment Manager at Honda (UK), John Kingston, says in the press release (after the jump, folks) that, "Hybrids have always been seen as niche products, and hybrid car design has mostly been based around practicality and versatility. The CR-Z Concept looks stunning, and shows that green cars can be sexy and exciting – but also minimise environmental impact. The fact that we will be producing cars like this – and the global hybrid – proves that hybrid cars are becoming key volume products within our range. All of this means that Honda will be selling over 1/4 million hybrids a year by 2009." So, if you joined that "gimme, gimme, gimme" chorus, you'll soon have your chance to pony up.



[Source: Honda]

Is anyone else detecting a distinctly bizarre theme to the vehicles that will be on display at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month? I mean, we've got a four-wheeled motorcycle, Yamaha's Tesseract, the R2-D2 co-pilot in Nissan's Pivo 2, and now, hmm, we have the Honda Puyo. Honda is also offering the sweet-looking lightweight gas-electric hybrid called the CR-Z, which you can see after the jump. For now, let's stay focused on the Puyo.

First, it's a fuel cell vehicle. But that's not the first thing you notice, is it? No, it's the never-in-a-million-years-feasible bubble design. "Puyo" is supposed to evoke feelings of comfort. Honda explains that Puyo "is a Japanese onomatopoeia that expresses the sensation of touching the vehicle's soft body. It is meant to convey a warm, friendly impression." I certainly don't think this car wants to hurt me, that's for sure.

Honda's engineer's wanted to create a "Seamless Soft Box," a car without corners, and one that is supposed to give the "feel of an adorable pet." Just what kind of car is this? Does it run better when you pet it? Honda doesn't say much about the fuel cell, except that it's ultra-efficient and small. It had better be; there's not a lot of room for a powerplant in the Puyo. There is also a joystick "for intuitive operation" on the inside. I cannot wait for the video of this car in action.

OK, on to the CR-Z. It's a much more standard design and is meant to embody "Compact Renaissance Zero." Whatever that means. The hybrid engine gets a fuel-economy assist from the vehicle's light weight but the rest of the car has been designed for "powerful performance in a compact form with a futuristic image." I think they nailed it. Check the picture and Honda's press release after the break.

UPDATE: Fixed what was obviously the wrong name in the headline of this post

[Source: Honda]