Honda to soon offer CR-Z with turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine

As part of plans to heighten the appeal of the Honda CR-Z in key world markets, the carmaker will equip the compact coupé with an all-new, turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine option. The CR-Z is currently only offered with one engine option: a hybrid that features a 112bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine mated to a 14bhp electric motor. The CR-Z is expected to get an all-new turbocharged 1.6-litre powerplant that is currently being developed at Honda’s Tochigi R&D centre. The new engine is an essential part of a downsizing program initiated at Honda.

This engine is also meant for the Jazz, Civic and Accord. This engine is meant to offer the performance of a typical 2.0-litre engine from a capacity of only 1.6 litres. It features forced induction and Honda’s patented VTEC-i fully variable camshaft timing system. According to Autocar sources in Japan, the new engine will probably come in two versions: a standard 160bhp model and a highly tuned 200bhp version meant to match the now defunct 2.0-litre VTEC engine in the Civic Type R.

It’s likely that this more powerful spec will form the basis of a CR-Z Type R, tentatively slated to be released late next year. As sales of the two-door coupé have begun to drop in the company’s domestic market, Honda had to come up with plans for more than a hybrid engine for the Japanese Car of the Year.

Courtesy : 4wheelsnews