FastMotoring Motor News In Speed

A scenic Thursday of 21 February 2013, Honda Malaysia launched the new 2013 model of hot-hatch hybrid CR-Z at Setia Alam Convention Centre in Shah Alam. As previously mentioned by FastMotoring, Honda will be launching 5 new models in Malaysia for 2013. Thus, this new CR-Z facelift is the first new model to start off.

Speaking at the launch of the New CR-Z, Mr. Yoichiro Ueno, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Honda Malaysia said, “The New CR-Z is an ideal balance of technology, performance and design. With its enhanced features and styling, it is now even sportier in looks, truly embodying the concept of a “Sport Hybrid”. The New CR-Z is a car that draws attention with its outstanding body lines with upgraded styling of new colours, new materials and beautiful finishes in interior as well as exterior that further enhance its emotional appearance.”

“The New CR-Z will give an ultimate joy of driving experience to Malaysian car enthusiasts. It is the ideal car for those who recognize the value of advanced technology, desire an eye-catching car and care for the environment,” said Mr. Ueno.

The new 2013 Honda CR-Z features a several new enhancements, notably improved powertrain and IMA hybrid system for increased performance. The exterior styling and interior finishing are both updated. For interior, the red stitching on the new semi leather seats, steering wheel and gear knob similar to the Type R series. Exterior-wise, the front façade and rear bumper are both redesigned for sharper and sportier look.

For folks that really bothered to have HID headlights, the new CR-Z comes with HID headlights as standard and rear LED lights with blue clearcoat decoration.

The new 2013 Honda CR-Z comes with a 1.5L i-VTEC engine that is connected with a more powerful electric motor. Central to the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) Hybrid System is the new lithium-ion battery, which helps preserve additional electricity in its compact and durable cells. This high performance lithium-ion battery is able to increase 2x the energy capacity output compared to the previous NiMH battery. With this boost, the New CR-Z gives a more dynamic and energetic driving experience.

To extend the joy of the sporty performance and fun driving, the New CR-Z is equipped with the Plus Sport System, which gives a better acceleration feeling. This system is perfect for overtaking and it can be used in the 3 different driving modes of NORMAL, ECON and SPORT.

Other new features of the New CR-Z are as follows:-

In terms of the safety standard, the New CR-Z is remained equipped with Dual Front SRS Airbags, Side Curtain & Side Airbags with Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), G-Force Control Technology (G-CON), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE).

In view of the good market acceptance, Honda Malaysia targets to sell 300 units of the New CR-Z a month in 2013.

The New CR-Z is available in both 6-speed Manual Transmission and Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) with 7-speed paddle shift and comes in four exciting colours – Premium Northern Lights Violet Pearl, Premium White Pearl, Polished Metal Metallic and Milano Red.  Pricing-wise, the new CR-Z 6-speed manual model is priced at RM 119,000.00, while the 7-speed CVT model is priced at RM 123,000.00 in Peninsular Malaysia.

Honda Malaysia is now offering a 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage for the new 2013 Honda CR-Z, including the IMA Battery. In addition, a new free service package comprising up to six free labour services alternating with paid services until 100,000 km is offered to all owners of the New CR-Z as well.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Honda CR-Z Launch in Malaysia

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.