For a total of 53 episodes from 2000 to 2001, Jason Barlow was one of the co-hosts of BBC's Top Gear TV series. Now, aside from being an editor-at-large for BBC Top Gear magazine, a contributing editor to Britain's GQ magazine and a columnist for The Sunday Times, Barlow has also undertaken the role of the host of Honda's new promotional film CR-Z hybrid wannabe sports coupe.
"Jason Barlow, former Top Gear presenter [that's the attention grabber...], takes the new Honda CR-Z on a journey of discovery through Japan," Honda Europe notes in the video release. Watch the film and tell us what you think about it after the jump.
17 Comments:
why do hybrids insist on having the back end like that of a prius? what is the reasoning behind it exactly?
I hate this lousy "sports coupe wannabe".
It looks so bad...the front ....the rear.
It can't be a sports car if it takes over 10 secs to do 0-100.
What is the point of making it a good handling car if the goes sooo sooo slow???
with a review like that, its no wonder he's a FORMER presenter... not surprised really. its basically like the review from Fifth Gear -- a compromised car, that forces you to compromise your definitions of 'sporty' and of 'fuel efficient hybrid'...
when are we going to see reviews from the States? not from Japan or Britain from reviewers used to anemic engines and compromises...
Prius has the most desirable back design in terms of aerodynamics, i heard. That's probably why CR-Z's back end is similar.
"Less CO2" is the righteousness these days... and Honda
had to make something different, I think.
But as far as I'm concerned, it's the end of car enthusiasts.
I hate Top gear specimens so too American reviewers's (anon 3) hell they can pass of a Chevy as craftsmanship.
Too biased.
I happy with the car though. Some of the terms used here as wannabe, slow do not get the point or are pretending. The car is what it is...a 1.5 with about 122 bhp an 128 lb-ft of torque.
Its a 'good' compromise on efficiency, drive factor, fun, power.etc,etc. Its targeted at its specific groups who want such a mix.
And no..im no Honda PR.
Whoa, he's lost quite a bit of weight.
Actually, to respond to the comment about his presenting skills, I think the reason they nixed him was because his segment was frankly too boring -- he just talked about haggling with dealers and finding good used car deals. You can imagine it doesn't fit into the show.
I'm sure there was a blog on here a while back that stated the Audi A4 had less drag than a Prius. It is almost like the design ethic for "eco" cars is to look bad.
i want the cr-z BAD
The front looks just ok, side just ok, the back is ugly. It's slow, small, and visually just ok, nothing inspiring. Maybe they should call it the CR-Zzzzzz.....(yawn)!
I like it! My guess it's miles ahead of the Prius in terms of driving pleasure. That's more than worth a loss in mpg for an affordable car. It's all about the drive and without driving one I think it's impossible to make comments about this car other than its looks. I'd take one any day just to be different from all the Prius "sheep" out there. I don't need to wring every last mile out of a drop of gas. Besides, have you seen the mileage a Prius is capable of when pushed? Less than 30 mpg!
hondas are fun! nice...
This video confirms that this car is indeed, ugly.
I believe this is a good start, for creating some sort of performance hybrid. Hybrid technology has potential, it's just that the public views this type of technology and goes "oh, it's a hybrid, it's going to be like the Prius."
I will admit I did not like the CR-Z being a hybrid, but my views are being changed little by little. I'm just happy that Honda at least made the effort to give the option of a manual transmission on this car.
I always loved the CRX, this is similar but I'd rather have a CRX
honda jus doesnt impress me at all!!!
it's gorgeous...as for the back?...gee, maybe it has something to do with a the CRX design it references...the first layout of it's kind...get over toyota already...
...who cares if it's is a hybrid...it gets great mileage, doesn't pollute, looks great, and is apparently a ball to drive...it's the last two that nothing else in its class can touch...
What is the point of making it a good handling car if the goes sooo sooo slow???
Because mazda mx5 did it with its low power 125HP version 0-100km/t 9,5sec
The rear roofline produce less lift (more downforce) than then standard cars.
Lobes C4 rally car has gret road hugging abillity, you see.
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