smallcarsonly.org » 80′s Cars

Honda CRZ Hybrid vs the 1987 CRX Si – Does Honda Have Another Great Small Car?

admin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:17:18 +0000

The Honda CR-Z, Honda’s newest sporty hybrid was reviewed by Insideline recently; as all of us Small Car Fans were curious as how this modern rendition would compare against what inspired the car’s design, the original CRX SI.

A 5th Gear Review – note the game that Honda incorporated with Trees.

On the WTH List;

While compared to the original Si, its very similar. For a low hp, modern hybrid – MPG still is behind the pack. Mid 30 mpgs.
With no back seat, the Honda CR-Z falls into a segment which does not exist.
The 0-60 time is seconds slower (about 1 second) compared to the original Crx Si
At 1830 pounds; the Honda CRX was the lightest of any car back then
At 2700 pounds; the Honda CR-Z weighs as much as Mini Cooper S and current Si coupe, with the massive sunroof

Compared to any vehicle right now, the CR-Z is considered quite slow. With a hatch full of groceries and supplies, and another body, this car could easily be a 10 second car. While we know this era of technology does not have its focus on full performance anymore, the need for a car to do everything well is still important.

Honda CRZ next to Honda CRX

With the 2011, Ford Fiesta proving 40 mpg, 2011 Mini Cooper estimated 40 mpg, and the Fiat 500, achieving low 40 mpg, (but the Mazda 2 missing the point @ 35 mpg), while having back seats and a more user friendly overall design, Honda may have officially screwed the pooch here in the US. However, the Honda CR-Z in Japan has been a strong seller ; and with Spoon taking the task of a modified hybrid seriously, this random guy writing this on the intewebs may actually be the noob. Only time will tell.

Honda Hybrid CR-Z Spoon

VW Changes the Rabbit’s name back to VW Golf in 2010

admin — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 00:07:47 +0000

Somebody in Volkswagen’s marketing/focus case study group is probably hoping not to get a pink slip tomorrow morning.

VW renamed the Golf to Rabbit 3 years ago, to remind nostalgic 80s kids when the Rabbit ran around (and was actually cheap, and quick, and light.) Originally the Golf was renamed the Rabbit in 1984 because everyone associated the name with sub par quality.

In 2010, the Golf is coming back. Yay?

2010 Golf Returns!

Top Gear’s Project Sipster; 70 mpg/0-60 7 sec/under 7k

admin — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 22:24:55 +0000

This is GREAT television!

Project Sipster is something I would love to do when I actually have a garage. Oh the woes of living in a 100 year old building.

0-60 in 7 seconds
Under $7,000 to build your own
70 mpg

Feel free to comment with projects of your own guys. By the way; American Top Gear is dead. No stations picked it up.