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Honda Malaysia just announced the CR-Z is now available with Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) with 7-Speed Paddle Shift for Malaysian market. The CR-Z CVT with 7-Speed Paddle Shift extends the current offering option, since the CR-Z was previously launched with manual transmission only.

The Honda CR-Z CVT is available in 4 stylish colours of Premium White Pearl, Storm Silver Metallic, Milano Red, and Crystal Black Pearl. The Honda CR-Z CVT 7-Speed Paddle Shift selling at RM 119,000 on-the-road (OTR) in Peninsular Malaysia.

Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Yoichiro Ueno said, “Being the pioneer of hybrid technology in Malaysia, we are constantly studying the market to fulfil their demands. As the feedback to bring in the automatic version is overwhelming, we are now proud to introduce this CVT version to the Malaysian market. We will continue to bring in more hybrid options for Malaysians in the future. The introduction of the CR-Z CVT adds another variant to the Honda Hybrid Family in Malaysia which has Insight, Jazz Hybrid and the 6-Speed manual CR-Z. 

The Honda CR-Z CVT is powered by the same engine as the manual variant – a 1.5L i-VTEC engine coupled with Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) Hybrid System that gives a combined power of 123 PS. This efficient combination enables drivers to have a responsive and exciting driving experience. The overall engine performance provides exceptional fuel economy and a fun-to-drive performance. The CR-Z CVT retains the versatile 3-Mode Drive System, which allows the driver to switch the mode to SPORT, NORMAL and ECO depending their driving style and road conditions.

Honda Malaysia targets to sell 1,800 units of the CR-Z CVT by the end of 2012. To-date, Honda Malaysia has received 1,500 bookings for the 6-speed manual and CVT versions of the CR-Z.

“Honda will continue to provide more quality products and services to uphold customer satisfaction. CR-Z CVT customers can enjoy a 5-year or 140,000km warranty, whichever comes first, for the IMA battery,” said Mr Ueno.

Today, Honda Malaysia announced that the recently launched award-winning All-New CR-Z has received overwhelming response by Malaysian motorists recording robust sales of over 300 bookings within a month of its launch. At its launch in early November, the Hot-Hatch hybrid model was targeted to sell 100 units by end of this year.

Expressing his delight over the positive acceptance of the CR-Z by Malaysians, Mr. Yoichiro Ueno, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Honda Malaysia commented, “Honda Malaysia is very pleased and encouraged by the overwhelming response for the All-New CR-Z. We believe that the world’s first 6-speed manual transmission hybrid vehicle has broken new grounds in the automotive choices for Malaysians. In our commitment to exceed customers’ expectations, we are pleased to announce that Honda Malaysia will be bringing in three more exciting new colours to add to the CR-Z lineup and to give Honda customers more options.”

Mr. Ueno added that the new colours for the CR-Z, which are STORM SILVER METALIC, MILANO RED, and CRYSTAL BLACK PEARL are scheduled to arrive by early 2012. “With the introduction of the new colours, we are confident that the environmental friendly and fun-to-drive CR-Z will continue to appeal to customers in Malaysia. However, there are still no CVT Auto options for Malaysian market.

He continued, “In Malaysia, there is a growing acceptance towards green technologies and hybrid vehicles, especially with the support from the government in offering full exemption of import duty and excise duty for Hybrid vehicles until December 2013. As the pioneer in introducing hybrid technology in Malaysia, the CR-Z is the third hybrid model that Honda has successfully brought to Malaysians. The All-New CR-Z has been able to fulfil the demand for a stylish hybrid vehicle that is not only eco-friendly but also a performance vehicle that is fun-to-drive. Malaysians can expect to see the CR-Z on the roads from this month onwards.”

The All-New CR-Z is the first model to feature Honda’s versatile 3-Mode Drive System, which enable the driver to choose and switch modes seamlessly depending on their driving style and road situation. The three modes – SPORT, NORMAL and ECON in the CR-Z alters the responses of the throttle, steering, idle stop timing, climate control and the level of assistance provided by the IMA Hybrid System.

After adding three (3) more colours to the CR-Z line-up. The All-New CR-Z which now comes in Premium White Pearl, Storm Silver Metallic, Milano Red, and Crystal Black Pearl is priced at RM115,000 with a 5 years battery warranty or 140,000 km whichever comes first.

Recently, the long awaited 2011 Honda CR-Z made its debut and launched in Malaysia after the latest announcement in the Budget 2012 about the full exemption of import duty and excise duty for Hybrid models (for 2.0-litre or below) until December 2013. The CR-Z is the third hybrid vehicle that Honda introduces to Malaysians, after the Honda Civic Hybrid and Honda Insight.

Malaysia is the first country in Southeast Asia to introduce this hot hatch hybrid. Quite simply, I believe many boy racer and amateur car enthusiasts have waited long for such car with 6-speed manual gear stick and a price tag of slightly above RM100k mark. Thus, it is doubtless that Honda Malaysia will be able to achieve the sales of 100-units by end of 2011. The 2012 Honda CR-Z Hybrid 1.5-litre is selling at RM 115,000.00 on-the-road with insurance in Peninsular Malaysia. Does it sound tempting?

After the Honda Civic Type R discontinued from the production, the Honda CR-Z is gradually positioning to be the substitution. Although the CR-Z is not comparable with the Type R in terms of performance, but it is definitely greener and more fuel efficient. One more in common, the CR-Z comes only in one colour – Premium White Pearl.

According to Honda officially, CR-Z stands for “Compact Renaissance Zero”, which represents Honda’s commitment to go back to the basics to take on the challenge to create a new compact car without being bound by the values of a traditional hybrid.”

Technically, the CR-Z is designed to deliver exceptional fuel economy while offering an entertaining and engaging driving experience. It combines an efficient 84-kilowatt (114PS) 1.5L SOHC i-VTEC engine, a 10-kilowatt (14PS) electric motor and a sophisticated Intelligent Power Unit (IPU).

Additionally, the All-New CR-Z is the first model to feature Honda’s versatile 3-Mode Drive System, which enables the driver to choose and switch modes seamlessly depending on their driving style and road situation. The three modes in the CR-Z alters the responses of the throttle, steering, idle stop timing, climate control and the level of assistance provided by the IMA Hybrid System.

In safety aspect, the All-New CR-Z has been rated one of Japan’s safest cars in 2010, having been awarded the 6-Star JNCAP rating. The CR-Z is equipped with Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) which offers a more stable and sturdier drive while the Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure enhances self-protection. The CR-Z also complies with Pedestrian Impact Requirements where head and chest injuries to the pedestrian are minimised during an accident.

In Malaysia, the warranty structure for the Honda CR-Z’s is similar to the hot-selling Insight’s. It comes with 3-years warranty (or 100,000 km), 5-years warranty for IMA battery, 2-year warranty for standard battery. On top of that, it also comes standard with 6-month free service (or 10,000km).

Lastly, the CR-Z was awarded the 2010/2011 Car of the Year (COTY) in Japan as well as the 2010 Top Gear Green Car of the Year in the UK. Once we got the Honda CR-Z in our hands, do expect more photos and follow by a review. So stay tune with us!!

The tale of the new 2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid Sport will be launching in Malaysia is getting more solid now. According to our insider, the CR-Z is targeted to launch in Q2, 2011.

Fellow petrol head that in love with manual gear stick, you are in luck as Honda Malaysia will be importing the 1.5 Hybrid in Manual and maybe CVT transmission. Pricing wise, it remained as our estimation at the mark of RM120k.

For more information, refer to our previous post on: Honda CR-Z In Malaysia – KLIMS

Honda CR-Z that we saw in KLIMS 2010 is said to be sporty got the motoring media abit turned off, with just mere 122bhp produce by the 1.5 liter engine and the electric motor – we probably choose the VW Golf 1.4 TSI anytime over it. However it does has some eco friendly points.

For those who are us, that like to Fast Motoring with a Honda CR-Z on the streets will he glad to hear this. There’s some report online claim that the high performance turbo version of Honda CR-Z turbo is being hurried in production status. With this our hope remains, the expected Honda CR-Z turbo will likely to have 160hp and 200hp version.

Some say we will see the Honda CR-Z Hybrid R version as attached here. As the photo shown here are with scoop on the bonnet, will there be a Honda CR-Z Hybrid Turbo? Namely Hybrid R as per what you see? or will it be a pure performance engine with an efficient turbo setup? Somehow, we’re guessed that Honda heard the motoring media shout outs that this Honda CR-Z needs a more powerful heart under the hood.

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