Lean, mean, clean - and green

It behaves just like you'd expect.

This is probably due to the fact that Honda firstly set out to create a small sporty car which would raise its profile in the small, fun-car market and then added the cleaner, greener components to make it even more desirable.

The result is the world's first hybrid sports coupé and the first hybrid to be armed with a six-speed manual gearbox instead of a boring CVT or standard automatic transmission.

And the beauty of this cute coupé is that it feels, drives, handles and generally behaves just like a "normal" car in spite of is cleaner air credentials.

Back to the future

But over and above the environmentally friendly characteristics of its hybrid drive-train, it's the CR-Z's futuristic styling that is likely to change perceptions about hybrids forever.

At the media launch I drove the CR-Z between Cape Town and to Franschhoek and it was quite amazing to see the response from fellow motorists as they waved, hooted, smiled, gave thumbs-up signals and even naughtily clicked away on their cell phone cameras.

Comfortable - but the low seat and long bonnet mean you must be careful not to ding it.

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And who can blame them because with its low, broad stance, sloping roof-line, cocky LED daylight running lights, sporty 16-inch alloy wheels, shark fin antenna and CR-Z emblazoned black mesh grille, this baby Honda looks every bit like a desirable plaything.

But if the CR-Z scores a gold star in the looks department, wait until you settle down in the full leather cabin, sportily furnished with sculpted race-style seats, high-tech 3D instruments and unique features such as instruments which light up in blue, green or red, depending on whether Normal, Economy or Sport driving mode is selected.

The clever little Honda even tells the driver when to change gears and electronic Good Boy praise is dished out in the shape of digitally-growing trees in the instrument panel to pat the driver on the back for driving with a conscience.

Relax - the car does it all

To explain the functioning of a hybrid set-up is much too technical, but in short, the drive-train is a combination of a 1,5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine and a small electric motor, all cleverly coordinated by what Honda calls Integrated Motor Assist.

What makes it all go... 174Nm means the CR-Z is quite enthusiastic off the mark.

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What this boils down to is that the car manages the operation so well that only voluntary intervention from the driver is required.

The electric motor and the normal engine work in tandem, with the electric motor providing about 78Nm of additional torque from as low down as just 1000rpm.

The combination of electric and engine torque amounts to 174Nm and because of the immediate kick-in support from the electric motor the CR-Z is quite enthusiastic off the mark.

Although no robot racer, Honda claims its new coupé will do the 0-100km/h dash in 10 seconds and deliver a top speed of 200km/h, which is not at all shabby.

Nicely balanced

Certainly the car shows willingness to gallop and it sits confidently on the road, even through tight twisties, particularly when in Sport mode.

The steering has a solid, positive feel and the ride is a pleasant balance between comfort and performance.

The instruments light up in blue, green or red, depending on what driving mode you select.

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The gearbox is slick en the ratios are nicely divided between quick response in lower gears and easy cruising in fifth and sixth gear which means the car is quite at home whether in crowded city traffic or heading out on the R62 through Karoo.

Where the CR-Z scores massively is on fuel consumption of a claimed 5,0-litre/100km and emissions rating of just 117g/km which places it below the government's poorly thought-out emissions threshold of 120g/km, accompanied by punitive tax penalties due to be introduced in September.

(The new tax is a harsh R85,50 for every 1gm of CO2 emitted more than 120g and not R75 which the government would like us to believe because if VAT is added to the R75 it pushes the payment up by a further R10,50).

Not much room in the back - unless you're a shopping bag, but hey - who needs anyone in the back?

But as much fun as it is to drive and no matter how frugal it is, there are a few niggles about the CR-Z: the sharply sloping bonnet and low seating make it impossible to see the front of the car so parking close to kerbs (or even other vehicles and solid objects) can be a bit of a gamble; the instrument panel, although attractive, will take quite some time to become fully acquainted with; the rear view is severely restricted because of the narrow back window; the suspension is thumpy on uneven roads; the 2+2 configuration means big, heavy, wide opening doors; access to the rear is difficult; back "seating" is a myth, unless you are a Woolworths shopping bag, a six-pack of beer or a legless garden gnome and getting in and out of the low front seats is not easy or elegant - and definitely challenging for wearers of short skirts, older, high mileage occupants, and sufferers of gout, arthritis and wonky backs.

All the bells and whistles

The nanny-nature of the car (growing trees, suggestions for gear changes) could irritate some drivers although most owners will probably appreciate the fun side and the feel-good feeling it generates.

At R299 000 the CR-Z is not cheap but then it does have a list of fancy equipment that is even longer than the ANC's excuses for poor service delivery.

It boasts a super sound system with MP3/WMA capability and USB interface, automatic climate control, push button windows and outside mirrors, cruise control and a fancy onboard trip computer.

Red - but still green.

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For a car so small the luggage compartment is not too cramped and with a little manipulation you can even get two golf bags into the back.

Active and passive safety features include a brace of airbags, ABS brakes with EBD and EBA, vehicle stability assist (which is not too intrusive), hill start assist and ISOFIX rear child safety seat mountings.

Also part of the deal is a three-year/100 000km warranty and a five-year/90 000km service plan.

Service intervals are at 15 000km and Honda says they have no warranty issues with cars being driven on gravel (remember the restriction when the Toyota Prius was launched in South Africa?).

On its own pedestal

Overall the CR-Z has cutesy-conscience appeal and its striking looks will probably find fancy with the younger, more tech-savvy, environment-conscious end of the market while the well-off, more mature segment would probably buy it for its dinner party brag value and to use it as a second car, particularly on Saturdays when they pop over to their local organic food market.

A sound system to blow your mind - and your ears.

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But also don't be surprised to see trendoids, sports personalities, musicians and society page pretties whizzing around town in one these soon-to-become-trendy hybrids.

Honda says it will "sell as many as we can get" and the initial batch of 50 is expected to go quickly.

Because of its rather unique nature it is never going to be a mass seller and although it has no direct opposition the CR-Z probably vies for the consumer rand with the likes of the Alfa Mito, VW Scirocco, Audi TT, Mini and the Volvo C30.

But to Honda's advantage this means that its uniqueness, stylishly different looks, slinky, sporty character and clean air credentials place it on a pedestal all on its own.

Specifications

Engineering - Honda CR-Z Engine and IMA

Honda CR-Z Hybrid Coupe - Official Footage

Jason Barlow, former Top Gear presenter, on the new Honda CR-Z

Fifth Gear Honda CR-Z review