HONDA CR-Z - Please build it!

Of all the terrific engines in Honda's stash, which suits this sporty little hatchback best? The 1.8L four from the Civic with 140 smooth horses? 197 horsepower from the Civic Si's/Type R's 2.0L ripper? Perhaps the torquier 2.4L four-cylinder from the new Accord, with 190 horsepower, would be a more fitting partner.

It would be wild to assume that Honda, with its knowledge of engineering lightness, would equip this pocket rocket with a 3.5L V6, even if its 268 horsepower would run rampant over all competitors. Front-heavy = no good.

This car tells me the CRX is on its way back. The CRX was tossable, chuckable, throwable. It didn't grip; it handled. The Prelude is gone; the S2000 is aging, leaving the Civic Si to fight the North American image battle for sportiness.

Here's the bigger news: the Honda CR-Z is likely portraying a foray into the growing hybrid market in North America, a market which Honda began. Except this is no Insight, this is a sports coupe. If you want The Good Car Guy on the hybrid bandwagon, build this and give me a long-termer.