From day one, we all knew what was missing from the Honda CR-Z – feel free to say it out loud with us: Power, Power and Power. With the exception of some limited-run production models prepared by Honda’s in-house tuner Mugen for Japan and Britain, the automaker has not addressed this problem.
At the 2012 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Honda is displaying yet another concept model for a faster and more focused version of the CR-Z, which it describes as, “a further exploration of the performance potential of the CR-Z Sport Hybrid”, but does not say if it has any plans for production.
Developed by Honda Performance Division (HPD), the tricked-out CR-Z gains a supercharger along with a new sport exhaust system that boost output of the 1.5-liter petrol engine and IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) package from 122hp and 128 lb-ft to 185hp and 169 lb-ft respectively.
HPD also made enhancements to improve handling and stopping by adding a sport suspension, designing new alloy wheels shod in high performance tires and fitting the hybrid model with a beefier brake system.
PHOTO GALLERY