The 2014 Honda CR-Z HPD promises to turn the Honda CR-Z into the performance vehicle Honda fans wanted from the beginning. HPD stands for Honda Performance Development and Honda is reportedly going to use HPD along-side developing products. Consumers will soon have more performance components for their Honda via HPD. Hopefully, this means Honda is finally listening to its fan-base.
So, why is the 2014 Honda CR-Z HPD a big deal?
How does 187 horsepower and 171 lb-ft of torque grab you? The HPD kit provides a supercharger for the 1.5-liter, four cylinder engine. Other additions include a beefed-up clutch, 18-inch alloy wheels, 215/40R-18 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, 11.8-inch (front) high-performance-grooved brakes w/ four-piston calipers, limited-slip differential, exterior upgrades and a beefy sport suspension.
The 132 horsepower engine in the regular CR-Z was anything but exciting. The whole car was a major letdown for fans and driving enthusiasts alike. Honda pitched the original CR-Z as a spiritual successor to the Honda CR-X… it was not. Sales for the Honda CR-Z have never been particularly good; in Europe, the CR-Z was withdrawn from the European Honda fleet.
Things looked bleak for the Honda CR-Z.
Now, with the 2014 Honda CR-Z HPD kit available, things are truly looking up. Not only can you get a new CR-Z with the kit installed and warrantied, you can fit it to your current CR-Z and still get a 3-year/60,000 mile warranty. Prices have not been officially released, but expect the kit to run about 6K.
The suspension components are now available. The supercharger kit will be available in the spring of 2014.
I’m glad the 2014 Honda CR-Z HPD is giving the little guy a second chance. It’s was always a platform in search of excitement. Maybe its day has come.
Check out this video of the old-school Honda Pilot!
