Honda Remix Project

Whether you want to admit it or not, Honda wrote the rules of sport compact performance, developing fast and agile cars that broke all previous horsepower per liter records. The 1990s was all about performance compacts and Honda led the charge for an entire generation with vehicles like the Civic, the CRX, the Acura Integra and, of course, proved to the world they could hang with exotics in the NSX.

Since then, Honda has undergone major changes. Who would have thought that there would be a truck in the lineup or that the Acura nameplate would be comprised of sedans and three SUVs? As radical as they are, they have been successful for a reason and now they have created yet another market sector with the World’s first Sport Hybrid.

Beyond the sleek body lines is a technological tour de force that reveals the different approach Honda Engineers took regarding Hybrid technology. The CR-Z is powered by a 1.5L i-VTEC motor with the patented Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) technology. The batteries that power the IMA system are, of course, set low in the chassis to maintain optimal center of gravity and weight distribution. The compact system also alleviates the need for a separate starter motor and alternator using its own infrastructure to save weight and provide greater simplicity. The electric motor, starts the engine, pushes the car for instant acceleration, recharges the battery and provides regenerative braking.

PASMAG wanted to be on the forefront of today’s tuning and teamed up with Honda Canada to build a custom CR-Z. We selected International Automotive and Custom (IAC) in Woodbridge, Ontario to make all of the exterior, interior and performance mods to the car. The sponsor parts onboard were selected on the basis of more power, less weight, improved efficiency and styling and we had to go as far as California and Japan make it happen.

Under the hood are all the essentials. An AEM Cold Air Intake was installed to let the engine breathe freely and improve power across the RPM range. Since the car was so new, finding parts were a challenge. To that end, IAC had to custom fabricate a stainless steel exhaust running a Magnaflow muffler. An NRG ground kit was added to clean up the power and provide reduced interference.

The specialized team over at IAC disassembled the entire vehicle in order to add a seamless trademark matte white paint finish along with matte black paint accents. Team IAC worked tirelessly to create a unique and finely crafted paint scheme to get noticed at events. When the paint process was completed, a Seibon carbon fiber hood was added to complete the aggressive look. The stock wheels were swapped in favor of Enkei Wheels Fujin alloys. These stylish black wheels are constructed using the M.A.T forging process, which makes them extremely strong, yet lightweight. The wheels have been wrapped in the Yokohama S.Drive, an impressive tire both in terms of performance and versatility. To provide the proper finishing touch, Shinzo Media Group provided vinyl graphics to recognize all of those involved in the project.

Under the skin, the suspension received an upgrade. The natural sporty feel of the CR-Z was improved upon with installation of BC Racing ER-Series coilovers. This coilover system can adjust suspension dampening from hard to soft and lower the ride height dramatically. The brakes have been replaced with Wilwood 4-piston calipers clamping down on cross-drilled 2-piece rotors on all corners that help stop the car like no other.

Inside the cabin, Team IAC wanted to make a statement in terms of functionality and technology. The factory seats have been replaced with Momo race seats and Sparco harnesses. Sparco also contributed a sport shift knob, and the factory gauge cluster has been augmented with new ATI gauge pods and gauges from their impressive STRI lineup to keep tabs on all the vitals. The mood of the interior is dramatically altered with a set of brilliant Eurolite interior LED lights.

The audio and multimedia upgrades were handled by the experts at 20 Hz Audio Sound and Security in Etobicoke, Ontario. With the help of his talented crew, shop owner Frankie ‘Crazy’ Valenti was able to create another masterpiece in a “crazy’ three-day deadline. When the dust had settled, all the creative vinyl trim work and lighting were revealed. The OEM stereo was replaced with JVC’s top of the line KW-NT30HD navigation headunit, which does absolutely everything; CD and DVD playback, iPod and iPhone USB connectivity, HD Radio tuner and Bluetooth wireless technology. The gorgeous 6.1-inch touchscreen offers up vivid image quality and an intuitive GUI, plus the industry’s only fully detachable Double-DIN faceplate for extra security. JVC’s high-end Arsenal-branded 8000 Series full-digital amplifiers were used for their exceptional audio quality and extreme power in an ultra compact design. Two full-digital mono-blocks power a pair of Arsenal 12-inch subwoofers and a matching 4-channel power a quartet of four Arsenal speakers around the cabin. Stinger Audio provided all the necessary cabling for power distribution for high audio fidelity and HushMat sound deadening (provided by Gem-Sen Distribution) was used to keep the sound in and road noise out. Should anyone want to try to steal the audio gear, the AutoGuard 2-way alarm has it all covered with piercing sirens and pager alerts to the owner.

With only six weeks to build the Remix CR-Z in time for its premiere at the Toronto Autoshow, there was no time to waste. Despite the tight deadlines, the project was completed in record time thanks to the outstanding efforts of International Automotive and Custom and 20 Hz Audio Sound and Security. The results speak volumes for what can be accomplished when you choose the right partners.