In speaking of the CR-Z's antecedent, the nonhybrid Honda CRX, Car and Driver writes: It "looked like a mini Lamborghini Espada."
Clearly, this is not your typical hybrid.
The CR-Z is Honda's bid to expand the hybrid universe in a new direction: sports cars. Blurring lines between video games and cars, it has three driving modes – Sport, Normal, and Econ – that change the throttle, steering, and fuel economy. In Sport mode, the tachometer illumination even switches from blue to red.
The posted fuel economy is 31 miles per gallon in the city and 37 on the highway.
Introduced to the Japan market in February 2010, it is scheduled for launch on Aug. 24, 2010, in the United States.
Though the CR-Z is new this month, it is not eligible for a tax credit because only 60,000 credits are allowed per auto manufacturer before the end of 2010.
