This is the best Honda CR-Z we’ve ever driven. We’re pretty sure it’s the best CR-Z anyone has ever driven. Goose the gas and the unmuffled exhaust’s ear-splitting buzz is pierced by the jet-engine scream of the giant turbocharger that practically bursts out of the comically bulged hood. The instrument panel is awash in yellow warning lights, the car’s ECU dimly aware something is amiss with the hybrid system. It doesn’t know exactly what’s wrong, but we do: It’s been fooled into force-feeding extra juice to the CR-Z’s electric motor.
Downshift to second and drop the hammer—yeah, it’s a stick— and the “Hot Rod Hybrid” responds with a rush of air, fuel, electricity, noise, and acceleration, hunkering down on its lowered suspension and tearing through the corner. The CR-Z evokes village-idiot-sized grins—it’s fantastic! And better yet, it was created in the serious scientific pursuit of better fuel economy.
Who could have created such a marvelous monstrosity? To die-hard fans, the car’s duct-tape wrap is an instant giveaway: This Honda has MythBusters written all over it.
Cars and car-related myths were an integral part of the original MythBusters series, and the new Motor MythBusters show (it premieres August 4 on the MotorTrend app) focuses exclusively on automotive-related myths.
This story is from the September 2021 edition of Motor Trend.
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This story is from the September 2021 edition of Motor Trend.
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TECH YA NECK
1990s breakthroughs that paved the path to today's driving world
TUNING IN
In the 1990s, the Compact Car Tuning Scene Went From Niche to Nuclear
RELENTLESS PERFECTION
The 1990 LS 400 Was a Swift Kick to Mercedes' Solid Gold Reputation
ENGINES OF CHANGE
With the 1990 Corvette ZR-1, Chevrolet Created a Giant-Slaying Tradition
COLOR THEORY
One of the Raddest VW Golfs Began as a Sales Failure
COMPLETING THE CIRCLE
26 Years Later, the Civic Type R Has Finally Learned All the Integra Type R's Tricks
GREAT EXPECTATIONS: THE SATURN STORY
SATURN WAS MORE THAN JUST A CAR. IT WAS AN ATTEMPT TO RADICALLY REINVENT GENERAL MOTORS, THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND WEALTHIEST AUTOMAKER
TOMORROW'S SUV, YESTERDAY
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SWEET DELETES
Three Decades Later the M3 Lightweight's Power Deficit Is Forgotten and Forgiven
MORE THAN A FINAL GASP
Porsche's 993-Series 911 Still Holds Its Own
ROADS SCHOLAR
NEWLY STUDIED IN MATTERS UNPAVED, THE HONDA PILOT IS NOW AN ACE BOTH ON-AND OFF-ROAD
ROADS SCHOLAR
NEWLY STUDIED IN MATTERS UNPAVED, THE HONDA PILOT IS NOW AN ACE BOTH ONAND OFF-ROAD.
MINIVANS AND BEST-LAID PLANS
MODERN MINIVANS OFFER MANY OF THE AMENITIES FOUND IN HIGH-END LUXURY CARS. WE PLANNED A TOP-SHELF OUTING TO PROVE IT, BUT THEN THINGS WENT AWRY.
Breaking the Minivan Mold
With newfound refinement and off-road chops, the redesigned Pilot buries its minivan roots and becomes a more desirable mid-size SUV.
REALITY CHECK
A MORE RATIONAL 2023 HONDA ACCORD EMBRACES HYBRIDIZATION TO IMPROVE WHERE IT COUNTS.
What Everyone's Been Waiting For 2023 XL750 TRANSALP
Honda's Transalp lineage dates back to the late '80s as the XL600V. We saw the motorcycle only briefly in the U.S., and then it disappeared in the great adventure dual-sport extinction event of the early '90s. Although, some aspects have been carried over from the 700V model, like the large dash area and color options (which we'll discuss later), the all-new platform comes with a host of modern features. So, what's the 2023 XL750 Transalp all about, and how will it stack up against the competition? Let's dive in....
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Overseen by Honda chief engineer Shigeru Uehara (the father of the original Acura NSX and the Integra Type R, two cars that embodied Japanese performance in the '90s), the Honda S2000 is a two-seat roadster we described as "the car of your dreams."
Honda Unveils First All-Electric SUV, Built on GM's Battery Platform
The Honda Prologue battery-electric SUV arrives in 2024 and will use the Ultium battery technology developed by General Motors.
JAPAN'S HONDA SEES DECLINING PROFITS ON SEMICONDUCTOR CRUNCH
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IT USED TO BE SO SIMPLE
THE HONDA CRX S IS WHERE ALL THE GOOD STUFF STARTED.