SEMA 2010: Honda HPD CR-Z Racer Gets a Turbo and Push-to-Pass Hybrid Boost

Technically the SEMA Show doesn’t start until tomorrow but thanks to our spies inside we have these snap shots of just what potential Honda's new CR-Z has. The Honda Performance Development CR-Z Racer looks like a true racing machine and likely is with a fully stripped-down body, a lowered suspension, functional aero and some big 17-inch wheels with meaty racing slicks.

But the truly exciting mods are found under the hood, where Honda strapped a Borg Warner turbo to the 1.5-liter 4-cylinder to pump out 175-hp and 155 ft-lbs of torque. But that’s not all, Honda also rejigged the Integrated Motor Assist hybrid setup to produce added power that’s available with a Indy Car styled push-to-pass button. When pressed, the CR-Z makes a total of 200-hp and 175 ft-lbs of torque.

Other mods include an LSD and some big brake upgrades.

Hopefully Honda is serious about taking this car racing and we’ll be at the press conference tomorrow to find out.

Source;
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2010/11/sema-2010-honda-hpd-cr-z-racer-gets-a-turbo-and-push-to-pass-hybrid-boost.html

Measuring Honda CR-Z Performance

For those who ponder how aftermarket parts and performance upgrades are available as soon as an automobile hits the market, this Honda CR-Z measuring session is the answer. The Specialty Equipment Marketing Association, or SEMA, brings the big car makers together with aftermarket gurus far enough ahead so that the good stuff is ready for action as soon as the automobile is. The three 2011 Honda CR-Z hybrids shown here are being measured for everything from seat covers to supercharger systems. Constructing a 2700 or so pound production automobile that has an electric motor, an internal combustion engine, multiple batteries – and survives the NHTSA giant mechanized robot gorilla and evil steam shovel gnashing of cars test is a feat in itself. The new Honda sporting hybrid is a departure from the usual drab green automobile formula. This joint Honda-SEMA measuring session means the titans of the automotive aftermarket are already at work, and that Honda CR-Z owners will have a choice of suspension, brake, wheel, and engine modifications ready straight away. Now if Ford would finally build the Nucleon, we could hop up the on board atomic reactor with some hot control rods and exotic fissile isotopes.

Source (via autoblog);
http://clunkbucket.com/measuring-honda-cr-z-performance/

C-West Developing Aero For Honda CR-Z, Insight And RX-8

Kansai aero parts specialists C-West have also got their hands on Honda’s latests hybrids and will soon have aero kits available.

It seems that companies would be crazy not to offer at least something for the Honda CR-Z with customers starting to take delivery of their new cars now. I’ve seen a few CR-Zs on the streets in and around Osaka and Kobe and it looks very slick in the metal. C-West makes some very good looking (and functional) aero kits and the new design in store for the CR-Z looks to continue that tradition. The CR-Z isn’t the only car to receive attention though, the Honda Insight and Mazda RX-8 are also in line to get some C-West treatment. More info will be available nearer to the release date but for now, we have these renders to give us a good idea of what to expect.

Source;

http://www.7tune.com/c-west-developing-aero-for-honda-cr-z-insight-and-rx-8/