Honda launches world's 1st hybrid sports car

Honda Motor Co. rolled out the CR-Z, the world’s first hybrid sports car, in a bit to attract new customers as the second largest Japanese automaker seeks to expand its line-up of gasoline-electric hybrid cars amid growing demand for green cars in the sluggish domestic auto market. The car, which will go on sale in Japan ahead of its global launch, is equipped with a 1.5-liter engine and matches the performance of a 2.0 liter gasoline engine car, Honda said. Honda also said it achieves fuel efficiency of 25 kilometers (km) per liter, compared with about 12 km per liter for Honda’s gasoline-engine sports cars in a similar class. Honda said it aims to sell 1,000 units a month in the domestic market. The retail price of the four-seater ranges from 2,268,000 yen (US$) for the basic model to 2,498,000 yen (US$) for the high-end model. (February 25, 2010)