To steal a quote from Mazda’s ad for the new CX-5 crossover, the Honda CR-Z is the rolling embodiment of compromise. Designed to be a “sports hybrid,” the CR-Z is far too numb and underpowered to be even remotely sporty, yet it isn’t particularly fuel-efficient, either. As the spiritual descendent of the much revered CRX, the CR-Z admittedly had some big shoes to fill; still, we suspect the car would be more successful if Honda had focused on either sport or economy, without trying to address both.
To go racing in Japan’s Super GT Series, Honda and Mugen have built a CR-Z to run in the GT300 class. Equipped with a twin-turbo 2.8-liter V-6 mounted amidship, the car also benefits from a Honda Racing hybrid system to provide supplemental power. We suspect the the engine and hybrid driver power the rear wheels, although we suppose the hybrid drive could have electric motors powering front wheels for added grip.
The GT300 class limits cars to 300 horsepower, so we’re fairly certain that’s what this purpose-built CR-Z puts down. We don’t have much interest in the current CR-Z, available at your local Honda dealer, but a mid-engine, rear drive CR-Z with 300 horsepower is something else entirely. We know we can’t have one, and that only makes us want it more.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
