From cute hybrid to hot hatch: Trackside with the HPD supercharged Honda CR-Z

The HPD supercharger kit adds almost 70 horsepower to the CR-Z's bottom line.

Honda's CR-Z hybrid gets an aftermarket performance overhaul by the automaker's HPD division. We take a look at the upgrades on the track at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

by by Antuan Goodwin of www.cnet.com
 
The Honda CR-Z is certainly sporty, but it's certainly no sports car. And I definitely didn't expect to see a 2014 example parked alongside the Dodge Challenger Hellcat, Mercedes-Benz GLA 45 AMG and Alfa Romeo 4C at a recent media track day at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. I was even more surprised when it turned out that the little Honda turned out to be one of the most fun cars on the track that day.

It turns out that this particular CR-Z has been modified with a host of bolt-on performance parts from Honda Performance Development (HPD), the automaker's aftermarket parts and racing division. We sat down with HPD find out how any CR-Z owner can literally supercharge their Honda, transforming it from a loveable little hybrid into a bonafide hot hatchback.

First, HPD addresses handling and grip upgrades. The transformation starts where the rubber meets the road with the replacement of the CR-Z's stock 195mm width eco all-seasons with of Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires ($1,054 for the set) sized 215/40ZR18. The new wider, sticker tires are wrapped around 18-inch HPD alloy wheels ($1,260 for the set) and peeking between the new spokes is an upgraded HPD front brake kit ($2,100) that should help the hatchback stop shorter and resist fade. From there, the chassis sits atop an HPD sport suspension kit ($1,550) that lowers the ride height by 10mm.

An HPD rear diffuser ($400) performs triple duty: improving aerodynamics, enhancing the CR-Z's appearance, and framing the new HPD full cat-back exhaust system's ($1,400) twin, center-exit tips. That new exhaust should flow better, freeing a bit of extra power, but it mostly sounds pretty good at full throttle with a deeper, raspier tone than stock.

Next, HPD adds lots and lots of power! The jewel of this performance overhaul is the addition of the HPD supercharger kit ($5,495) to the CR-Z's engine bay. The kit replaces the stock intake with a centrifugal type supercharger breathing through an air-to-air intercooler. The supercharger leaves the IMA electric motor and lithium ion battery pack untouched, so the CR-Z retains all of its the hybrid functionality. I've heard no word on how the new additions affect the CR-Z's 31 city, 38 highway and 34 combined mpg estimates.

The forced induction system boosts total system power of the 1.5-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder and electric motor to 197 horsepower and torque to 176 pound-feet for 2013 to 2014 model year examples with a manual transmission. That's nearly a 70 horsepower jump over the hybrid's 130 stock horses. 2011 to 2012 models have lower total estimates of 180 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque. At time of my testing, the 2015 model year is currently awaiting emissions certification of the ECU software required for supercharger compatibility.

For the rest of the article, follow this link;
http://www.cnet.com/news/hpd-honda-cr-z-at-the-track/

Here is right from Honda what the HPD CR-Z includes;

 

Track Proven. Street Reliable. HPD Performance.

Honda Performance Development (HPD) adds performance to every product we develop, from grassroots to pinnacle; from the track and now to the street. The same innovation that has driven two decades of unprecedented success in pinnacle motorsports is at the core of HPD’s street performance brand. HPD’s products are for those who truly desire proven performance without sacrificing the reliability that comes with the Honda name. Click here to learn more about HPD Street Performance.

Accessories:

• HPD Emblem / Decal Kit
• HPD Sport Suspension Kit
• HPD Front Brake Kit
• HPD Supercharger (6MT models only)¹
• HPD Limited-Slip Differential
• HPD Clutch
• HPD 18-Inch Alloy Wheel²
• HPD Sport Exhaust / Diffuser Kit
• Front Lip Spoiler
• Decklid Spoiler

¹The HPD Supercharger System boosts the 2013 and 2014 CR-Z’s total powertrain output up to 197 hp (vs. 130 hp in the stock 2013 and 2014 CR-Z).

The HPD Supercharger System is available exclusively for the CR-Z manual transmission models ONLY and DOES NOT apply for CVT transmission equipped models.

The HPD Supercharger requires unleaded gasoline of 91 octane or higher, and an ECM/PCM software update. Use Honda Ultimate Synthetic 0w-20 engine oil.

Dealer requirements for Executive Order D-728 issued for the HPD CR-Z Supercharger by the Air Resources Board; the HPD CR-Z Supercharger System may not be installed on a new motor vehicle before the vehicle has been sold to a customer, or concurrent with the sale of a new vehicle to a consumer. This system may be installed (1) on a pre-owned vehicle at any time, or (2) on a new vehicle only after the vehicle has been sold to a consumer and as part of a separate transaction.

²Replacement tires required. Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires (215/40R18 89Y) are recommended but not included.

Specifications:

Engine
Engine Type:
Displacement:
Horsepower (estimated):
Torque (estimated):
Differential:
Clutch:

Chassis
Front Brakes:
Wheels:
Tires:
Suspension:

Supercharged In-line 4-Cylinder
1497 cc
197-hp* @ 6250rpm
176 ft-lbs* @ 4850rpm
Advanced Limited-Slip Helical Gear Type
Carbon Semi-Metallic Six-Puck Street Performance Type


4-piston Aluminum Caliper / 300mm, Directionally-Ventilated Rotors
18-Inch Alloy Wheels
P215/40 R18 89Y
Lowered by 10mm
Front Spring Rate: 26.3 N/mm (150 lb/in)
Rear Spring Rate: 29.4 N/mm (168 lb/in)

HPD Supercharger Parts

• Centrifugal Supercharger
• Supercharger Pulley Set
• Supercharger Traction Oil Cooler
• HPD Airbox System
• HPD Air to Air Intercooler
• High Flow Injectors
• HPD Washer Bottle
• Centrifugal Supercharger
• ECU Re-Flashed by HPD