Honda combines sport and hybrid

Complete with similar edgy styling, an abrupt tail and two seats, the CR-X's successor; called the CR-Z; is poised to become a part of Honda Australia's line-up.

It was shown at the Tokyo Motor Show as a concept and Honda Australia spokesman Mark Higgins says it is ready for production.

But the biggest surprise is that it will only come as a hybrid. Higgins explains it pressed all the right buttons for the target youth audience.

He says; “Environmentally friendly, a fashion statement, a performance car ... it's got it all. There hasn't been a coupe that has put the words sport and hybrid in the same sentence.”

Higgins says there's no timing for release of the CR-Z but it would be no sooner than two years.

The two-seater uses Honda's IMA system; an electric motor to contribute to the power of a small petrol engine. This is the same as the current Honda Civic Hybrid system.

Honda also showed the second-generation Honda Jazz; that hits Australia in July next year and boasts more refinement and an unchanged price tag. Honda terms it the evolution of the Jazz, which is called Fit in Japan; rather than any major overhaul.

“The magic seats remain, but with more versatility so the car can carry a bigger assortment of cargo,” Higgins says. “One issue we had with the previous model was poor ride quality over rough roads.”

This 'choppy' characteristic has been fixed on the new model. The rear suspension hasn't changed (it's still a torsion-beam arrangement), but it has been refined. Inside, there has been a freshening up of the dashboard, including the addition of telescopic steering wheel adjustment.

“The price won't change much because it sits in a very price-sensitive segment,” he says.

A third car on show was the Honda Inspire, which gets to Australia in the first half of 2008 as the Accord. Honda will release details of the new Accord Euro later next year; yes, there are two Accords and yes, it's confusing and yes, Honda won't change it.

Honda also debuted its PUYO gel-body, fuel-cell project car at the show. It features a gel body made of soft materials with a silky touch and no corners; which certainly should optimise pedestrian safety.

Lights beneath the body shine through the gel to highlight doors and other manual functions, and notify users of the vehicle's condition.

The four-seater concept has a small frame and is powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology, in other words by electric motors.

Features include an instrument panel monitor, elastic-like controls made from cloth that rise up when the vehicle starts and luminous fluid level displays.

The obvious omission is the steering wheel.

This is replaced by a joystick, which is used for operation and manoeuvreing.