Deep Dive: Getting intimate with the 2010 Honda CR-Z’s powertrain

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Hybrid, Technology, Honda

When the 2011 Honda CR-Z hits the streets this Fall, it will feature the latest iteration of the company’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) mild hybrid system. The basic concept of IMA hasn’t changed since the original Insight debuted in 1999, but it has been refined to improve performance and efficiency while reducing overall cost.

There’s a wide spectrum of hybrids in the market, ranging from low-end, belted-alternator-starter (BAS) mild hybrids to the full-blown power-split strong hybrids at the top. The latter category includes systems from Toyota, Ford and General Motors (two-mode), while Honda’s IMA provides a healthy boost in overall efficiency compared to a conventional powertrain, but falls well short of the best power-splits. Read on to learn more about the IMA system and how it’s implemented in the CR-Z.

Gallery: 2011 Honda CR-Z Powertrain