Commercial Feature – For many years now, the hybrid car has been viewed as the vehicle of the future – the alternative to the traditional petrol and diesel cars which many had searched for.

Lots of car manufacturers have since spent millions of pounds on research and development, and we are now starting to see the results: hybrid cars are hitting the market and now represent a viable option for car owners across the UK.

Honda is just one of a number of car companies that now has a range of hybrid vehicles to offer to the public. They have the task of trying to dispel the misconception that many people have about hybrid cars: that they offer poor performance as a result of focusing on fuel efficiency. This is definitely not the case anymore, and although the use of renewable energy is a major selling point, it does not need to overly detract from the enjoyment that you can still have while sat behind the steering wheel.

The Honda CR-Z Hybrid shows that hybrid vehicles can still boast high performance as well as impressive fuel economy. A sporty hybrid coupe, the CR-Z offers customers a thrilling driving experience. It is the versatility that the CR-Z shows which will help hybrid vehicles to be successful and popular well into the future – and which will also ensure that more and more drivers make the switch from a petrol or diesel car to a hybrid one.

The versatility of the Honda CR-Z comes from the fact that the car can be driven in three different modes. The three-mode driving system helps to make it a unique car which stands out from the crowd in terms of its hybrid competitors. This system allows you to set the car up for the type of driving you want to do on a particular day. So, for everyday drives you can enjoy economical driving, while when you want to treat yourself, you can have a sportier and more exhilarating driving experience.

The three different modes are Sport, Econ and Norm. The latter is a balance between the first two modes, giving you the best of both worlds in terms of performance and fuel efficiency. This allows drivers to enjoy their time behind the wheel, while also knowing that a trip to the shops won’t break the bank in terms of fuel consumption.

In the Sport mode, the CR-Z gives drivers the best performance that the car can muster. The 1.5 litre, four cylinder i-VTEC engine helps the vehicle to seriously shift when you put your foot to the floor, and gives the engine an output of 124ps. In this mode, the response of the throttle is also improved so that greater acceleration can be achieved, while the response of the steering is similarly made sharper.

Econ mode brings Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist system to the fore. The idle stop time will now be altered along with the climate control – ensuring that the greatest level of fuel efficiency is achieved so you won’t need to fill up at the pump too often. As a driver, you’re left in no doubt that you’re in Econ mode, as the dashboard lights up green. In Sport mode, a red dashboard indicates the extra performance that you can utilise.

While the CR-Z allows drivers to enjoy plenty of performance behind the wheel, the Honda Insight Hybrid is a vehicle that is mainly concerned for its fuel efficiency credentials. The Insight promotes the idea of being a good driver and is focused on saving fuel, which will in turn save you money at the pump. This is a major concern for many drivers at the moment as the cost of fuel continues to rise, while the economic problems that the country is facing has led to money being tight for a lot of people.

The Insight Hybrid makes use of Honda’s Eco Assist system, which will not only help you to drive efficiently, but which will also give you real-time feedback so that you can improve as a driver. It’s all about using every last drop of fuel – something which can be helped by putting the car in Econ mode and consequently controlling the level of air conditioning and other features.

Real time guidance is provided for drivers on the dashboard. When you’re driving efficiently, the dashboard will be lit green, but if you brake or accelerate over-aggressively, the dashboard will turn blue to indicate that fuel is being wasted. The clever system will also give you a score at the end of your journey, and as your score increases, you’ll be reminded about how much money you’ve saved at the pump – and also the reduced amount of harm that you’ve done to the environment.

The technology that Japanese car manufacturer has developed and put to use in their range of hybrid cars shows just how far this sector of the motor vehicle industry has developed in recent years. This is only set to continue as more work is put into developing a car that can perform on a number of levels. The CR-Z is a major step towards this, and as a sporty hybrid, is likely to appeal to a large audience – convincing many people who were previously sceptical about this new type of car.

Hybrid technology has come a long way since the first tentative steps were made decades ago. Now hybrid engines can be integrated into a number of vehicles, including mass-selling cars such as the Honda Civic to produce the Honda Civic Hybrid. Whether you’re after a family hybrid or a sporty hybrid, your needs can now be met by the cars of the future.