Of all the terrific engines in Honda’s stash, which suits this sporty little hatchback best? The 1.8L four from the Civic with 140 smooth horses? 197 horsepower from the Civic Si’s/Type R’s 2.0L ripper? Perhaps the torquier 2.4L four-cylinder from the new Accord, with 190 horsepower, would be a more fitting partner.
It would be wild to assume that Honda, with its knowledge of engineering lightness, would equip this pocket rocket with a 3.5L V6, even if its 268 horsepower would run rampant over all competitors. Front-heavy = no good.
This car tells me the CRX is on its way back. The CRX was tossable, chuckable, throwable. It didn’t grip; it handled. The Prelude is gone; the S2000 is aging, leaving the Civic Si to fight the North American image battle for sportiness.
Here’s the bigger news: the Honda CR-Z is likely portraying a foray into the growing hybrid market in North America, a market which Honda began. Except this is no Insight, this is a sports coupe. If you want The Good Car Guy on the hybrid bandwagon, build this and give me a long-termer.
