The Hyundai Veloster and Honda CR-Z Hybrid have been compared to each other quite but that comparison stopped once Hyundai introduced the Veloster Turbo leaving the unattractive CR-Z in the dust. A few years back, I wrote about the 173hp Honda CR-Z tuned by Mugen which was a drastic improvement over the stock CR-Z but still 28 horsepower short of the Veloster Turbo. And even with the improved performance, it still wasn’t easy on the eyes.
Fast forward to 2014, and we now Honda Performance Department unveiling a supercharger kit for the Honda CR-Z. I suppose a few years too late is better than not introducing anything for the CR-Z fans. This supercharged kit by HPD increases the output of the CR-Z’s 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine to an impressive 197 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. That’s an improvement of 67 horsepower and 36 lb-ft of torque.
Besides the supercharger, the upgrades also include an air-to-air intercooler, high-flow fuel injectors, an ECU remap, a more efficient air filter, a sports exhaust system, HPD sport dampers, coil springs with reduced ride height, 300mm disc brakes, and 18-inch wheels. The cost of the entire upgrade without installation is going for $5,495. The package sounds pretty good but the kit is only available for models with the six-speed manual transmission from 2013 and 2014 models. The company is also making an optional limited slip differential available for an additional $1,375 and a performance clutch for $640.
The development of this supercharger kit has been a work in progress for a number of years now and Honda maintains that the 5 Year/60,000 mile warranty will not be affected by the supercharger kit if it’s installed at a Honda dealer. That’s absolute rubbish and a blatant money grab if you ask me but that’s the way these things work unfortunately. I mentioned that it’s better late than never but maybe I’m wrong since the CR-Z production is set to be canceled in Europe after 2015. Both the CR-Z and the Honda Insight have seen sales plummet by over 60 percent.
Honda should have released either this kit or a performance version years ago when the Veloster Turbo started to kick its ass in sales and performance. Just look at the Hyundai Veloster and Veloster Turbo, they are selling like hot cakes because the South Koreans are giving consumers what they want.
The supercharger kit for the Honda CR-Z is great but it just might be a little too late.
