Like a schoolgirl with a new secret, Honda simply couldn’t wait until the Tokyo Motor Show to spill the beans on their new compact sports coupe concept, the CR-Z.

The CR-Z is the long-awaited spiritual successor to the CRX that was beloved by many for its light weight and revvy motor. The resemblance between the two is obvious, with the dual-glass hatch being a common feature of both the CR-Z (below) and the CRX. Unlike the CRX though, the CR-Z will be powered by a petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain and feature a sleek, stormtrooper-like exterior.

Honda says the CR-Z is only a “design research model”, however we think that what we’ll see at the Tokyo Motor Show will be a production-ready car that could potentially be on the market by late 2008 to early 2009, although Internet scuttlebutt puts the sale date anywhere between 2009 and 2011. We’ll be keeping a close eye on this one once it hits the stands at Tokyo.

For more information, read on for an excerpt from Honda’s press release.

‘CR-Z’ stands for ‘Compact Renaissance Zero’—an expression intended to capture the idea of a renaissance in the design of compact cars that begins anew from fundamentals.

This design research model of a lightweight hybrid sports car features advanced technologies that deliver enjoyable driving for all while reducing the vehicle’s environmental footprint.

[Exterior design]
Designed to be ‘Futuristic and Dynamic’, the CR-Z combines powerful performance in a compact form with a futuristic image. For its frontal view, an over-sized grill with a high-performance look is offset by openings on each side that lighten the overall feel. In the rear, tube-shaped rear combination lamps ensure better rearward visibility. Design details emphasizing the CR-Z’s advanced image include door mirrors that provide high visibility in a stylish form, LED headlights patterned after luminous bodies to convey a sharp impression, and jauntyfin-shaped sub-lights. Large, 19-inch wheels are ready for dynamic driving performance.

[Interior design]
The key words for the CR-Z’s interior design are ‘Hi-tech and Sporty’. The goal was to create an all-new sporty interior that fuses the liberating feel of airy spaciousness with an advanced interface that brings out the fun of the drive. Mesh material on a simple framework construction is used throughout the interior to convey a light, sophisticated image without being oppressive. In the cockpit, the meter unit conveys the image of advanced technology ensconced in a piece of glass artwork, offering the functionality of immediate recognition while enhancing the driving experience with a futuristic and exhilarating feeling.

[Source: Honda]
[Photos courtesy of Honda]