It’s taken years, but finally Honda is offering some added muscle for its sleek CR-Z. The little hybrid has always needed more power to match its good looks, and while the after-market has been providing this since shortly after the car’s launch (as seen with this Mugen model that we reported on over two years ago), the Japanese automaker has been quite reticent in this department.
The basic supercharger kit was developed by Honda Performance Development and it includes, among others, the blower, an air-to-air intercooler, uprated injectors and a new ECU. Honda quotes maximum power of 147 kW and 240 N.m of torque (up from 91 kW and 190 N.m), which should endow it with enough oomph to keep hot hatches honest.
For more enthusiastic drivers who are keener on corners than straight-line performance, Honda USA is also offering a limited-slip differential, upgraded front brakes and stronger clutch.
Good news is that owners of current cars (but manual-fitted models only due to packaging constraints) can have the kit retro fitted to any car bought in the last two years.
We are still waiting to hear back from Honda SA with regards to the availability of the kits locally.
