Car Throttle

Yeah, like you knew this wasn't going to happen ... or maybe not, Honda can be a very conservative company. Anyway, since Honda first introduced the CR-Z hybrid coupe, and threw around the notion that it's the spiritual and eco-conscious successor to the CR-X, one of the main complaints has been the CR-Z's lack of power. OK, that's a fair enough criticism. The CR-X was a wonderfully fun and tossable car. Light, handled good enough for a front driver, and it had enough power. The same cannot be said, it would seem, for the as announced CR-Z. The CR-Z puts out 122 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque from its 1.5-liter VTEC four-cylinder and Integrated Motor Assist Sporty, yes, but that doesn't make the CR-Z into

Honda just introduced the CR-Z at this year's North American International Auto Show. Needless to say, many were disappointed. Instead of a successor to the much-loved CR-X like it name implies, the CR-Z is more of a successor to the Insight. Could help be on the way in the form of a Type-R model? The main issue with the CR-Z (for enthusiasts anyway) lies in its specifications list. The CR-Z is a hybrid, with a 102 horsepower 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, along with an electric motor that provides an additional 20 hp. That adds up to only 122 hp. AutoExpress reports that those figures are about to change for the better. The new CR-Z Type-R would use a version of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder in the Civic Type-R,

It looks like Acura's replacement for the NSX is getting cancelled (victim of the recession, apparently) and that plans for a successor to the S2000 Roadster might be getting shelved as well.The absence of the high performance models leaves a gap in performance offerings for the collective Honda/Acura model lineup. Could there be a remedy for that? Automotive blog Carscoop apparently thinks so. The original Honda CRX saw somewhat of a resurgence with the meteoric rise in gas prices last year, with examples selling quite briskly. The car has always had a market though for people who want affordable gas mileage with a bit of fun. Could a new reborn CR-X (or CR-ZX) bring that back? I think it would certainly have an immediate audience for those fond