The hybrid sportscar from Honda, CR-Z, has taken top honours in the Wheels Magazine Car of the Year awards, beating out 27 other vehicles in its ascension to the top.
The two-door Japanese sportscar makes use of both petrol and electric engines to deliver fuel efficiency and rapid acceleration, and was praised for its sporty handling in our Honda CR-Z launch drive.
As one of the world's longest running Car of the Year (COTY) awards, the coveted Wheels Magazine accolade has landed at Honda's feet five times previously -- Honda Accord (1977), Honda Prelude (1987), Honda NSX (1991), Honda Odyssey (1995) and Honda Accord Euro (2008).
"The CR-Z is a truly amazing car in a class of its own. We are extremely proud of this award, which joins other accolades for the CR-Z including Japan's Car of the Year and Top Gear UK Magazine's Green Car of the Year," said Honda Australia boss, Stephen Collins.
As the world's first hybrid to be paired with a six-speed manual, the CR-Z makes use of a modest 1.5-litre petrol engine, backed up by a small electric motor to deliver 91kW/174Nm. An automatic transmission is also available.
Wheels Magazine Editor, Bill Thomas, had this to say of the compact hybrid sportscar: "The CR-Z takes the idea of the car in a direction we think it should go. It's innovative, trendsetting, efficient and fun to drive.
"We think the spirit of Honda shines through. Cars don't have to be 'supercars' to be fun. It's the CR-Z's balance of abilities โ the combination of price, performance and fun."
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