From cute hybrid to hot hatch: Trackside with the HPD supercharged Honda CR-Z - CNET
The transformation starts where the rubber meets the road with the replacement of the CR-Z's stock 195mm width eco all-seasons with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires ($1,054 for the set) sized 215/40ZR18. The new wider, stickier tires are wrapped... From there, the chassis sits atop an HPD sport suspension kit ($1,550) that lowers the ride height by 10mm. An HPD rear diffuser ($400) performs triple duty: improving aerodynamics, enhancing the CR-Z's appearance, and framing the new HPD full... The jewel of this performance overhaul is the addition of the HPD supercharger kit ($5,495) to the CR-Z's engine bay. The kit replaces the stock intake with a centrifugal-type supercharger breathing through an air-to-air intercooler. The supercharger leaves the IMA electric motor and lithium ion battery pack untouched, so the CR-Z retains all of its the hybrid functionality. I've heard no word on how the new additions affect the CR-Z's 31 city, 38 highway and 34 combined mpg estimates. The forced induction system boosts the total system power of the 1. 5-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder and electric motor to 197 horsepower, and torque to 176 pound-feet, for 2013-2014 model year examples with a manual transmission. Source: www.cnet.com
