Tokyo concept: Honda CR-Z Concept 2009

Honda's much talked-about CR-Z Concept 2009 is among the stars of the show. Especially as the company has said a production model will be available in Japan by February.

What's all the fuss about?

Have a look at the pictures. Honda, as well as Toyota has been so busy pursuing the CO₂ reduction dream that it's lost a bit of its fun side. The CR-Z Concept 2009 proves that things are now back in equilibrium though, the cool-looking coupe due to drop its concept tag and become a proper production model next year.

Any new technology?

The CR-Z Concept 2009 is the first hybrid car to combine a petrol-electric drivetrain with a conventional manual gearbox. That's bound to please the driving enthusiasts among you, but almost certainly caused Honda's engineers a serious headache to integrate into the petrol-electric drivetrain. It seems they're a clever bunch there though, as that's what's promised on the production car.

Will it ever see the light of day?

There's no question about it, Honda stating that the CR-Z Concept 2009 will reach showrooms in 2010. In Japan, at least. We're not yet sure when and if it'll reach the UK, because some of Honda's decision making on its more interesting models in the past has been rather odd. If you like what you see - and the idea of a 1.5-litre petrol engine mated to an electric motor and six-speed manual gearbox sounds good to us - then start lobbying your Honda dealer to get in touch with the people in Japan who control what goes where.

Kyle Fortune