Tuesday, June 22, 2010

2011 CR-Z SI or electric versions not in Honda’s plans

Honda’s 2011 CR-Z model will start selling on August 24 in the US. Honda revealed that pricing is estimated to range from under $20,000. (US)

Honda also said that it isn’t planning to produce an Si variant or an electric version of the CR-Z and that a federal tax credit will not be offered with the sporty hybrid coupe. In response to an e-mail query, Honda spokesman Chuck Schifsky said that the CR-Z will not qualify for an alt-fuel federal tax credit because each company is limited to only 60,000 hybrids and Honda hit this number “a long time ago.”

Earlier this month, Honda confirmed during a press conference that a CR-Z Si will not be launched this summer. John Mendel, Honda’s US executive vice president of sales, was asked pointblank if there is a Si variant currently being developed. Mendel replied, “Nothing official.” With regards to the idea of an electric CR-Z, Mendel commented that he “[doesn’t] think” that there are plans to make a purely electric vehicle.

He also said that the success of the pure EV or BEV [battery-electric vehicle] will depend upon the application, charging times and range. Formal pricing information on the CR-Z has not been released yet but Honda executives have said that the CR-Z will be priced from under $20,000, including destination.

A fully equipped CR-Z EX with a navigation system will cost at under $24,000. Honda said that the pricing of the vehicle was kept low because it is equipped with a nickel-metal hydride battery rather than a lithium-ion battery.

Source;
http://www.4wheelsnews.com/2011-cr-z-si-or-electric-versions-not-in-hondas-plans/

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