Honda CR-Z

it’s the first hybrid ever to make it into the line-up for our annual performance car shoot-out – but the Honda CR-Z is here very much on merit. The sleek petrol-electric model is designed to mix the spirit and style of the legendary CR-X
with the efficiency and low emissions of a hi-tech powerplant.

So has the Japanese giant come up with a winner?

Styling inspiration has clearly been taken from the CR-X, with the split rear window and sloping roof, but under the skin, the 112bhp 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol powerplant is bang up to date. It’s supplemented by a 10bhp electric motor, which helps to boost power and torque.

The big news for driving enthusiasts is that the Honda is the first hybrid to be fitted with a conventional six-speed manual gearbox – and engineers have created a 3-Mode Drive System to go with it. The latter provides a choice of Economy, Normal and Sport settings – with Sport sharpening throttle response and giving the power-steering more weight, as well as harnessing more assistance from the electric motor.

As a result, the CR-Z is a lot more enjoyable to drive than your average hybrid. All the controls have the well judged weight and precision that we’ve come to expect from Honda, and there’s plenty of fun to be had on the track, too.

Performance isn’t exactly startling, yet the coupé turns into corners positively, and while the heavy rear-mounted batteries do affect the handling, once the body has settled, the car is composed through corners. The hi-tech cabin is an acquired taste, and it’s strictly a two-seater, but the CR-Z is enjoyable to drive – and fully justifies its inclusion here with a solid 16th-place finish.