2003 Honda Civic Hybrid W/ New Hybrid Battery--needs Work on 2040-cars

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Honda not ready to give up on CR-Z, Civic Hybrid in US just yet

Honda has already killed off the CR-Z in Europe, so news that the car is no longer going to be sold in Australia isn't exactly a surprise. In fact, Car Advice says that both the CR-Z and the Civic Hybrid are coming to the end of the line Down Under following disappointing sales. Honda sold only 370 CR-Zs in Australia in 2012 and then 58 in 2013 and 86 in 2014. These cancellations got us thinking: what does the future look like for these vehicles in the US? Well, stateside, CR-Z sales dropped almost 20 percent in 2014, compared to 2013, to 3,562 units. The Civic Hybrid sold just 5,070 units, a drop of almost 35 percent. Both of these vehicles use the aging Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) mild hybrid system, which the company's other hybrids (like the Accord) do not. Does that mean Honda hybrid fans will soon no longer be able to buy a CR-Z or Civic Hybrid? Not so fast, says Angie Nucci, Honda PR's senior environment and safety specialist. "The 2015 CR-Z went on-sale in early October and the 2015 Civic Hybrid went on-sale the following month in November," Nucci said. "Since these vehicles went on-sale fairly recently, it is simply too early to discuss future models at this time." Still, in Australia, the CR-Z and Civic Hybrid are both officially leaving the line-up. The company say that three new "Hybrid Sport" models will be coming at some point, starting with the Accord Hybrid later this year. The next one will be the NSX and then the Jazz Hybrid. The Jazz is another name for the Fit, which we do not get in a hybrid version in the US. Featured Gallery 2014 Honda CR-Z Hybrid View 14 Photos News Source: Honda, Car Advice via Green Car Reports Green Honda discontinued

Junkyard Gem: 1992 Acura Vigor

Honda was the first of the Japanese car manufacturers to bring a separate luxury brand to the United States, with the (Civic-derived) Integra and (Rover-related) Legend appearing as 1986 models. By the early 1990s, Infiniti and Lexus had muscled in with their own gadget-laden luxury machines, with even Mitsubishi and Mazda offering legitimate competition for the two Acura models. Something had to be done, in the viewpoint of Soichiro Honda, and so the NSX sports car was introduced as a 1991 model, followed by the Vigor luxury sedan the following year. Here's one of those rare first-year Vigors, found in a Denver self-service boneyard recently. The idea behind the Vigor (which, like the Integra, Legend and NSX, was badged as a Honda in its homeland) was that it would squeeze in between the Integra and the Legend and steal some sales from the Lexus ES 250 as well as European machinery. The Vigor was a front-wheel-drive car, but its engine was mounted longitudinally and angled to clear the hood. The differential sat directly beneath the engine and received power via a tortured maze of shafts. The reason for all this powertrain complexity was the fact that the Vigor's engine was a SOHC straight-five that wouldn't fit the engine compartment using Honda's usual transverse mounting (though both Daewoo and Volvo managed the feat with straight-six engines later on). The U.S.-market Vigor's 2.5-liter five-banger was rated at 176 horsepower and 170 pound-feet. The base transmission was a five-speed manual, but this car has the optional $750 four-speed automatic ($1,696 in 2024 dollars). This car is the cheaper Vigor LS model, so its MSRP was $24,999 ($56,539 after inflation). You could get a slightly smaller but still feature-laden '92 Honda Accord EX for just $20,175 ($45,629 now), though, and the cushier (though less nimble) Lexus ES 250 started at just $21,300 ($48,173 in today's money). American car shoppers just couldn't figure out the Vigor, and sales were weak. 1994 was the final year for the Vigor, and the TL replaced it beginning as a 1996 model. This one drove just over 160,000 miles during its life. Don't think of it as a drive to work. Think of it as a 30-minute vacation. If you get a German luxury sedan instead of a Vigor, you'll be sorry! I miss you… S. As was nearly always the case during the 1980s and 1990s, the JDM commercials were more fun.

The Honda CR-Z is on the way out, at least in Japan

The poor CR-Z, misbegotten and subsequently ignored by both customers and critics. Sales have been a trickle for years, and despite a few half-hearted attempts to kick-start interest it's clear the CR-Z lacks the goods. We've been thinking about its imminent demise for years, and it's already dead in Europe and Australia. Now, the CR-Z's lackluster run is ending in Japan. Inexplicably, that'll make the US one of the last bastions of CR-Z sales in the world. The 1.5-liter engine and electric motor make a combined 130 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque in manual-transmission trim. Yes, a manual transmission hybrid. Quite a unicorn, but don't get too excited. It won't blow your socks off, as we found out in our first drive. And the CVT model, with less power, is predictably less thrilling. Like most final edition packages, the Japan-only CR-Z Final Label gets cosmetic changes, like special edition badging, unique alloy wheels, "Final Label" logos embroidered on the seats, and equipment from the higher trim levels. The attention makes sense in Japan, where collectible special edition cars are highly sought after. It seems unlikely that Honda will bother with anything more exciting than a fire-sale promotion in the US, although we've asked the company what its plans for CR-Z in North America are and will report on what they tell us. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. News Source: Honda Japan Green Honda Coupe Hatchback Hybrid honda crz