Honda CR-Z Goes Cabrio

The Honda CR-Z is a huge gamble, as the Japanese automotive producer is convinced that a hybrid can be a machine that delivers interesting driving sensations. The eco conscious hatchback is the result of this belief, but the car is actually more than that.

You see, the CR-Z is also a spiritual successor for the CR-X, a sporty compact from the 80s’ that comes with a huge fanbase and serves as a base for a large number of aftermarket projects.

But what if Honda would decide to add another ingredient to this cocktail, offering us a topless incarnation of the CR-Z? Such a vehicle is already here, but it doesn’t come from Honda, nor was it brought to life by a tuning company.

Ok, so what options have we got left? If you’re thinking “virtual world”, you’ve gone too far. The CR-Z cabrio that can bee seen in the adjacent image is actually a die-cast model.

Of course, building such a car in real life would bring both advantages and disadvantages for Honda. Both the pros and the cons are based on the fact that the the CR-Z is actually all that sporty.

The good part would be that removing the top would increase the vehicle’s fun factor, thus moving the focus away from the performance area into the entertainment area.

On the other hand, dropping the top would require the vehicle to be strengthened, which would add a weight and really send the CR-Z down on the performance scale. Adding more hp to compensate that wouldn’t be a bright idea, as that would kill the vehicle’s eco ambitions. What can we say, the story is pretty complicated...