How hard is it for Honda to drop the engine from the Civic Si or from an Acura product into the CRZ? We all like the cool-looking body shell, so why not offer some oomph? It worked for the CRX HF and Si. Why not offer different versions, a strategy that worked for you for years?
I've been hoping for a K20 CRZ for a long time. It will never happen. Honda lost its way a long time ago. They're no longer an engineering-driven company, they are a market-driven company.
Mr. Soichiro Honda is rolling over in his grave.
Acura starts a Le Mans program and does pretty well. Great, that's awesome. But instead of capitalizing on all of that success and brand exposure (like Audi did with the R8) we get angry can-opener grilles on all Acuras and an RL that can't hold a candle to its competitors. And the NSX replacement never materializes.
The S2000 is killed off. The Accord swells enough to be considered a full-size car. The Civic lost the double wishbones.
Ten years ago I could have been easily convinced while blackout drunk to get a Honda badge tattoo. Now I drive my CRX HF with all 72 angry horses and mutter to myself about the good old days when Honda had soul.
Honda really needs to do something because their brand loyalty won't last forever. Hyundai is outdoing them in the reliable transportation department. Their styling stopped being appealing in '08-ish. The only thing with real sporting intentions they build now is the Civic Si and it's not as good as it was 12 years ago.
Also there is this option..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAqGYP2AXjQ
gamby
SuperDork
10/21/11 6:42 p.m.
clutchsmoke wrote:
Honda really needs to do something because their brand loyalty won't last forever. Hyundai is outdoing them in the reliable transportation department. Their styling stopped being appealing in '08-ish. The only thing with real sporting intentions they build now is the Civic Si and it's not as good as it was 12 years ago.
Agreed.
A 170hp Fit with 4-wheel discs and a lowered sport suspension would be a hoot (and the biggest theft magnet on Earth), but they'll never do that, either.
gamby wrote:
A 170hp Fit with 4-wheel discs and a lowered sport suspension would be a hoot (and the biggest theft magnet on Earth), but they'll never do that, either.
fitswap.com
Now you have me thinking about swapping my own Fit.
gamby
SuperDork
10/21/11 11:23 p.m.
In reply to jimbob_racing:
Forum is down.
I've seen those K-swaps, but in the real world no one is going to spend a minimum of $5k to put an old engine into their newer Fit.
I want a factory-installed hot motor--no mickeymousing of a swap. Anyway, Honda DOHC are still so sketchy in terms of legitimacy.
I've often wondered if making a Fit Si or CR-Z Si would cut into sales of the regular old Civic Si.
It seems like a lot of folks would pay decent money for the same running gear crammed under either of those cars.
Oh well, another one of those lottery car dreams.
Racer1ab,
since Honda at one point offered a Civic Si AND a CRX Si (not sure of the overlap without checking my reference books), I don't think they are afraid of losing market share. I'm not sure, but I think I read somewheres that Mugen has or is thinking of doing a CRZ with a K series engine. Of course, with the Mugen brand attached, the price would be outrageous.
Ooops, I just found the article and Mugen is working on a SUPERcharged engine for the CRZ that would bring hp up to 197 while retaining the hybrid "bits".