CR-Z petrol-electric coupe gets the nod for production says Honda boss

Honda is to launch a hybrid sports car based on the CR-Z concept, according to company boss Takeo Fukui.Speaking at the Detroit motor show Fukui said that Honda needs to rapidly grow hybrid sales, and the CR-Z is expected to add some sparkle to petrol-electric propulsion. It's unlikely that a production CR-Z will differ greatly from the Tokyo concept. Many of the styling cues are expected to be carried over, as is the hybrid system - a frugal 1.3-litre petrol engine assisted by an electric motor.The CR-Z will also share many mechanicals with Honda's second hybrid launch of 2009. It will be a Civic-sized family hatch, costing around £14,000 and so dramatically undercutting the Toyota Prius. Fukui is hoping that the new cars will help him achieve his aim of 10 per cent of Honda's sales to be hybrids by 2010.

Chas Hallett

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