2013 Honda CR-Z to Deliver Fewer Z’s

The 2013 Honda CR-Z will benefit from some perked-up performance for the new model year, as well as a bit more in the way of fuel economy, thanks to the introduction of lithium-ion battery technology to its hybrid drive system. As the electric elite may recall, the car originally launched with a less efficient—but also less expensive—nickel-metal hyrdride battery setup. The new battery chemistry in the 2013 Honda CR-Z allowed engineers to squeeze more voltage out of the pack without packing on a lot more weight, which is always a good thing in a car that’s touted as a “sport hybrid.”

In a best-case scenario, the 2013 Honda CR-Z car will receive a not-insignificant increase of 8 hp and 12 lb.-ft. of torque. The new tale of the tape: 130 hp (+6.5 percent) and 140 lb.-ft. of torque (+9.4 percent). That's when the CR-Z is configured with its six-speed manual transmission; with a CVT, the new powertrain provides the same number of ponies, but just a 4 lb.-ft. bump in torque. Interestingly, this means the manually transmissioned model offers a tad more torque than will be available in the Japan-only supercharged CR-Z, which was massaged by Mugen, Honda’s in-house performance-engineering division. That model will be limited to 300 units and deliver about 136 lb.-ft. of torque, albeit matched to 156 horses.

It’s also worth noting that the 2013 Honda CR-Z will feature a new “Plus Sport” system that provides a short-term electric overboost for an extra jolt of on-demand power. The functionality can be used whenever the car’s battery is at least 50 percent charged and the vehicle is already traveling at least 20 mph.

Of course, those aren’t the only changes coming to the 2013 Honda CR-Z …

Recharging the 2013 Honda CR-Z

Drivers will be able to choose from two different trim lines with the 2013 Honda CR-Z, including a fairly well-equipped starter model that opens at $19,975 and features standard equipment like Bluetooth hands-free and audio-streaming technology, a rearview camera, a six-speaker sound system, automatic climate control, power windows/locks, remote entry, and Honda’s Expanded View Driver’s Mirror. The premium-level CR-Z EX then adds HID headlights, LED daytime running lights, and an upgraded 360-watt audio setup with a subwoofer, among other goodies.

Both choices also showcase a noticeably refreshed design, too. Up front, the 2013 Honda CR-Z wears a redesigned front fascia complemented by a new mesh grille, revised spoiler and brighter chrome accents on its headlight assemblies—which also gain a subtle blue clearcoat that, in theory, hints at the car’s environmentally friendly nature. The result is a wider, more-planted appearance that is set off at the rear by a restyled diffuser and a similar blue clearcoat tint on the lower taillights. Two new exterior colors will be available: Passion Berry Pearl and Polished Metal Metallic.

The futuristic cabin of the CR-Z also garnered some nice upgrades for the new model year, such as:

• New metallic trim for its door pulls and latches, center console, speaker grilles, and lower steering-wheel spokes
• Redesigned inner-door panels that have been enhanced for improved storage
• Upgraded door-pad trim featuring a more premium style of lamination
• An available two-tone interior package with black-and-red seats and matching accent pieces

2013 Honda CR-Z: Efficiency Improvements

Along with all those changes, the automaker’s engineers also ensured that the 2013 Honda CR-Z would stay true to its raison d’être by pushing up its EPA grades. The changes are pretty minor, and are primarily the result of the car’s new lithium-ion battery tech, but at least they move ye olde needle in the right direction.

The manually transmissioned CR-Z is expected to gain 1 mpg in the EPA’s highway testing regimen and come to market with a fuel-economy line of 31 mpg city/38 mpg highway/34 mpg combined. Equipped with a continuously variable transmission, the 2013 Honda CR-Z ekes out another mpg in city travel; the company is counting on EPA grades of 36 mpg city/39 mpg highway/37 mpg combined with this model. Also, regardless of transmission, the refreshed CR-Z remains qualified as an Advanced Technology-Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) according to guidelines from the California Air Resource Board (CARB) and is rated as a Tier 2, Bin 2 vehicle by the EPA in all states.

The 2013 Honda CR-Z is slated to go on sale beginning Nov. 21, 2012.