I've noticed this and the SkyDeck concept share the same schnozz...if this is the future corporate grille of Honda, I'm all for it; not because it's particularly attractive, but because it's consistent. Honda is all over the friggin' place with their disjointed designs right now. #hondacrz
@bmoreDLJ: I don't see why you have to have all of the cars from a single brand look exactly the same. For me I reference music albums or paintings by the same artist. Creating a design identity is nice, but having all of your paintings look the same is rather boring. In the case of an album, I find the ones that are very singular stylisticly to feel like filler, while albums that incorporate different styles are rather fun to listen to over and over again well into the future.
Conformity within a brand should only be important when your product does not have enough panache and soul to stand on its own and therefore must rely on the mother brand to be noticed. That is the problem with most cars is that they lack soul b/c they are so monotonous. Despite the criticisms of the Challenger and other American muscle cars, they are perfect examples of cars that can stand on their own without the recognition of their original manufacturer. A good example of failure is the GTO; no soul in that design... #hondacrz
@Decisive: My favorite lines...Audi, Cadillac, Nissan/Infiniti, Peugeot/Citroen...they're all quite conformist from top to bottom. Which is how I likes it. You're right in that not only does Honda strive for difference with their models, but even their marketing is individualistic in style from model to model. Just personal preference. Nice analogy to music albums, though. #hondacrz
@avconsumer2: It's called a kammback, they do it for aerodynamic purposes, unfortunately, nobody has figured out how to make it attractive since the Daytona coupe. #hondacrz
Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet promoted this comment
Psiu! Puxa!: You're right, Mopar or no car! was starred
Psiu! Puxa!: You're right, Mopar or no car! was unstarred
@Psiu! Puxa!: I stand edumacated... but still... yeesh. Also... I'd forgotten (guess it's been quite a while since I've seen one,) the heritage - to obviously include the CRX. (der) #hondacrz
The CR-X was one of the best-handling FWD cars of its generation. How can the CR-Z match this by both weighing more and hauling around chunky battery pack? How can it match even the Civic Si? Why not hybridize a practical car, like the Element, a car that desperately needs to get better than 25 mpg? Or the CR-V? Both of these could benefit from some low-rpm torque.
The only one that makes sense is the 2nd-gen Insight, and apparently that car is a dud. #hondacrz
@brandegee: The CR-V doesn't need a hybrid - it already comes with a very good modern diesel.
Stick the diesel into the element and I'd be interested - I like the weirdness of it. #hondacrz
@MR42HH: In the U.S. it gets a single motor, the 2.4 gasoline version. It's got plenty of power for most purposes, but for just 166 hp the mileage isn't great. #hondacrz
@pauljones: True, if anyone can make a fine handling FWD hybrid, it would be Honda. But just drive a Civic Hybrid and a Civic Coupe (not even an Si!) back to back and it's amazing the difference between the two cars. One is fun and one is not.
I'm just questioning Honda's mission with this car.
Done right, they won't be able to build enough of them. I'm quite pleased that it occurred to somebody manufacturing cars that 'Hybrid' does not necessarily have to mean 'soul-sucking appliance.'
...granted, we'll have to wait and see how this actually pans out. #hondacrz
@takeshi: I expect that we'll see a move toward more organic forms, which suits me fine so long as everything does not end up looking like a Prius. #hondacrz
A fun hybrid eventually had to happen. There is nothing inherently wrong with hybrid systems as a mode of creating power for your vehicles. What is a shame is with the addition of a hybrid system you raise the price of this vehicle several thousand dollars putting it out of market for people looking for fun and cheap transportation. If Honda could just ditch the battery and offer this in an EX trim or Si, I think the ricer crowd and college students would have something they could really enjoy! #hondacrz
"While details are sparse on production plans, we're particularly interested to see how or if Honda plans on integrating a manual transmission with a hybrid system or will just go with a gasoline/manual as standard and hybrid/automatic for the premo model. We'll just have to wait and see. "
From PR:
"The CR-Z Concept 2009 is the world's first hybrid vehicle equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. Together with a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine the vehicle will create completely new value by combining the fun of driving and outstanding fuel economy."
Look promising, however I had a bad feeling then Honda might be tempted to cut some corners, like they did with the Insight who was critisized by Jeremy Clarkson. Time to knock on wood.... #hondacrz
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Conformity within a brand should only be important when your product does not have enough panache and soul to stand on its own and therefore must rely on the mother brand to be noticed. That is the problem with most cars is that they lack soul b/c they are so monotonous. Despite the criticisms of the Challenger and other American muscle cars, they are perfect examples of cars that can stand on their own without the recognition of their original manufacturer. A good example of failure is the GTO; no soul in that design... #hondacrz
10/21/09
10/21/09
Seriously, is there a rule that hybrids have to have aesthetically horrible rears? Does ugly increase efficiency exponentially somehow? #hondacrz
10/21/09
@avconsumer2: It's called a kammback, they do it for aerodynamic purposes, unfortunately, nobody has figured out how to make it attractive since the Daytona coupe. #hondacrz
10/21/09
10/21/09
@Psiu! Puxa!: I stand edumacated... but still... yeesh. Also... I'd forgotten (guess it's been quite a while since I've seen one,) the heritage - to obviously include the CRX. (der) #hondacrz
10/21/09
The only one that makes sense is the 2nd-gen Insight, and apparently that car is a dud. #hondacrz
10/21/09
It can be done, and with few exceptions (T230 Celica, Cobalt SS), all of the best-handling FWD cars carry the Honda badge. #hondacrz
10/21/09
Stick the diesel into the element and I'd be interested - I like the weirdness of it. #hondacrz
10/21/09
10/21/09
I'm just questioning Honda's mission with this car.
As for style, I'm really liking it. #hondacrz
10/21/09
...granted, we'll have to wait and see how this actually pans out. #hondacrz
10/21/09
BTW, I love you all this morning. Must be Jalop Valentine's Day. #hondacrz
10/21/09
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10/21/09
From PR:
"The CR-Z Concept 2009 is the world's first hybrid vehicle equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. Together with a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine the vehicle will create completely new value by combining the fun of driving and outstanding fuel economy."
10/21/09
10/21/09
09/11/09
In other news, Chevy is bringing back the Big Block:
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09/10/09
I can't wait to see the mascot for the Mustang's Coyote V-8.
May I suggest something inspired by this?
09/10/09
2) Paint this as a mural on the side
3) Profit!!!