Honda is most likely going to kill the CR-Z within a year or so, which is a bit of a shame. This totally original idea car looks just like one of those Civic CRX coupes from the 80s, but it never quite caught on like other classical remakes (500, MINI or DS). Despite being powered by a hybrid system borrowed from the Insight, one of the slowest cars around, the CR-Z is supposedly inspired by the MINI when it comes to driver enjoyment and by Lotus when it comes to lightness.
Honda's marketing teams claimed the CR-Z is the world's first hybrid that's fun to drive. So, is it a precursor to hybrids that are actually very competent on the track, like the BMW i8 or the Porsche 918 Spyder? No. In reality, the sports hybrid coupe is not a real track tool, which is what this guy learned over the weekend.
When the weather permits it, people from all over Europe gather to the Nurburgring track for what's called the Touristenfahrten, a track day for amateurs where you can race whatever you like. The upside to that we always get to see a couple of them crashing. The downside is… well… they crash.
The CR-Z driver is carrying to much speed into a corner. He brakes hard and the weather does the rest. As the rear tires lose grip, the Honda grabs the tall track rib. As the driver overcompensates by tugging his wheel to the right, his little hybrid is pretty much doomed to hit the barrier. Thankfully, the damage doesn't look too bad.
We're going to go off on a really long limb here and suggest that the guy racing a CR-Z on the Nurburgring is Youtuber Xezze, who commented on the crash video. He has the right color of car, does track days in it and even fitted a Remus exhaust on his little hybrid. Zezze is a big fan of bikes, which would also explain why he bought such a strange car for track use. The second video belongs to him and shows what it's actually like to race a 125 hp hybrid against Porsches and Golfs on the 'Ring.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News