The “Fun to Drive” 2011 Honda CR-Z is as safe as it is fuel efficient.
Wayne Gerdes -
CleanMPG - Aug 29, 2010
2011 Honda CR-Z during Euro NCAP Crash Test - w/ a 6-speed stick, it is rated at 47 mpgUS combined on the NEDC. 34 combined on the 08 EPA.
The Honda CR-Z is now rated one of Europe‘s safest cars, following on the success of the Honda Insight, according to the new independent crash testing results from Euro NCAP.
Euro NCAP's rating scheme focuses on the vehicle's overall safety performance which gives consumers an easy to understand single score. The system considers occupant protection in frontal, side, pole and rear impacts, child protection, pedestrian protection and the availability of driver aids. The Honda CR-Z has been awarded the maximum 5-star rating.
The new ratings, introduced in February 2009, use a weighted score, combining many aspects of a car's safety performance: adult (50%), child (20%) and pedestrian (20%) protection assessment results with the availability of safety assistance devices (10%). To qualify for inclusion, safety assistance devices (VSA for Honda) must be fitted as standard equipment across 90% of the EU 27’s, 2010 model range.
The CR-Z is the most recent in a string of Honda cars to receive top marks. Since the introduction of the new rating system, Euro NCAP has tested 4 other Honda models; Civic, Accord, Jazz and most recently, Insight. All 5 models achieved 5 stars, with the Honda Insight also being named "safest hybrid vehicle" as well as the 2nd safest vehicle tested in 2009.
Euro NCAP's new assessment reflects Honda's commitment to overall vehicle safety, complimenting Honda's long standing in-house safety testing which seeks to improve real world safety. Honda's car-to-car crash test facility at the Tochigi R&D centre analyses impacts between models of different sizes and weights and develops solutions to mitigate injuries for both for passengers and pedestrians. The omni-directional vehicle-to-vehicle crash test facility opened in 2001 and is the world's first indoor all-weather facility of its type.
Honda CR-Z Standard Safety Features
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) is designed to assist the driver in maintaining control during cornering, acceleration and sudden man oeuvres by applying braking assistance to any of the wheels as necessary and modulating the engine torque output as required.
14" ventilated front and solid rear disc brakes ensure road stability, which is further enhanced by the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA).
Developed in the car-to-car crash testing facility at Tochigi, the Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure is now a well-established strength of Honda's safety credentials.
The ACE body structure is a Honda exclusive body design that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal collisions. The ACE design utilizes a network of connected structural elements to distribute crash energy more evenly throughout the front of the vehicle. This enhanced frontal crash energy management helps to reduce the forces transferred to the passenger compartment and can help to more evenly disperse the forces transferred to other vehicles in a crash.
The CR-Z also incorporates many features designed with pedestrian-protection in mind. Research has shown that these features can dramatically improve a pedestrian's chance of survival if struck by a moving vehicle. Features include windscreen wiper pivots designed to break away on impact, energy absorbing front wing mounts and bonnet hinges, as well as an unobstructed area beneath the bonnet allowing greater space for deformation.
On all models the driver and passenger Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) front and side airbags are complemented by full length curtain airbags to protect all occupants. There are three-point Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) seatbelts in all seating positions, the front seatbelts also have 2 stage Energy Absorption (EA) load limiting pretensioners. Additionally in the rear ISOFIX points ensure secure and correct installation mounting of child seats.
The CR-Z is equipped with front seat active headrests which reduce the likelihood of neck injury in rear impacts. As the occupant is pushed against the seat back, a rigid plate in the seat presses a link to the headrest pushing it up and forward to support the head.
While Honda has been found to be lacking in the roof crush strength tests here in the US, its record in Europe is remarkable.
The CR-Z
The Honda CR-Z is a uniquely styled two-seater combining the advantages of an efficient hybrid powertrain with a 6-speed manual transmission. It is also the first car to combine a 1.5L i-VTEC engine and IMA, allowing excellent fuel economy with an emphasis on driver enjoyment.
Linear Mode
