2011 Honda CR-Z launch, Detroit Auto Show, January 2010

2011 Honda CR-Z launch, Detroit Auto Show, January 2010

We first reported on the Honda CR-Z concept back in April of last year and we posted the question: The future of sports cars? Our opinion at the time was that Honda might be ahead of the curve with this potential hybrid sports car option—and apparently they agreed. With the CR-Z’s first U.S. debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January it looks like this puppy might actually make it to consumers’ driveways.

Along those lines the CR-Z is also scheduled to make its European debut at the Geneva International Motor Show in March. However, the twist to this story is that it is reported to be a 2 + 2 configuration for Geneva. Of course the rear two seats are likely only suitable to children or smaller adults—in other words it a good storage area and probably a good bit of weight added to the car. Other than the daytime running lights (DTRLs), different from the U.S. version by having the addition of 8 LEDs that bring out the lower line of the headlights, the CR-Z is expected to be the same as the U.S. version in powertrain and body design.

Honda claims that the Euro CR-Z will achieve an average fuel consumption of 5.0 lt/100 km (56.4 mpg UK or 47 mpg US). As CarScoop reports, this separates the CR-Z hybrid from the Volkswagen Scirocco Coupe Turbo Diesel by .1 lt/100 km. To make it worse the VW performance figures are bound to be right in line with the CR-Z hybrid. The biggest difference? CO2 Emission. The CR-Z 17 g/km of CO2 less than the VW.

That last statement is the end goal of the hybrid motor vehicle—reduce emissions. So for those consumers that still want a sporty car and a manual shift, we again say that Honda may be capitalizing a market. A niche market, but a market that is only bound to grow with time. Think of the CR-Z as the Miata coupe of the hybrid world.

Be sure to check out our other recent stories here at AllSmallCars.com:

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[Source: CarScoop]