The Honda CR-Z will begin 2013 with a facelift, which Honda has released the first images of, ahead of the Paris Motor Show. Full details are still to be revealed, although this image does show that front-end changes are limited to a new mesh grille and a revised front bumper. A new wheel design has also been teased.
Honda has confirmed that both the CR-Z’s 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine and its electric motor will be tweaked for more power. This means we can expect power to climb beyond its current 91 kW and 174 Nm of torque, although, with the CR-Z always having been underwhelming in the performance stakes, we don’t expect the power increase to raise any eye-brows. In the UK market, a Mugen CR-Z is available, squeezing 128 kW from the powertrain and cutting the 0 – 100 km/h time to the low 6 seconds.
A previous teaser image of the 2013 Honda CR-Z showed a ‘S+’ button inside the cabin. While the car already has Eco, Normal and Sport modes, which alter the car’s throttle response accordingly, it’s unknown what exactly the S+ mode will be for. While the CR-Z already has a ‘sport’ mode, we can only hazard a guess as to what the S+ will offer: improved throttle response would be expected; possibly less assistance from the power steering for tighter steering feel; and likely some changes to the CR-Z’s bevy of colour LCD displays when S+ is selected. In addition, Honda says the car’s revised cabin will benefit from aesthetic enhancements and added equipment.
More information will be available at the 2012 Paris Auto Show, which is now just two weeks away.
