Honda CR-Z Hybrid Refreshed

Honda Motor Co. is tweaking its slow-selling CR-Z hybrid sporty car. The new model will bow in Japan in October and arrive in the U.S. later this year.

Exterior changes include a more aggressive front end with a sculpted fascia, new grille, LED headlights (not included on U.S. models) and enlarged fog lights.

The facelift also includes revised side skirts, a new rear bumper and a wider rear track.

The size of the wheels and disc brakes each have grown an inch, and a more open wheel design is used to show them off. New springs and dampers enhance stability.

The CR-Z's hybrid powertrain, which teams a 1.5-liter engine with a small electric motor, is unchanged. The combination produces 130 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque.

On the inside, the refresh includes an electronic parking brake, modified steering wheel, push-button ignition and a new center console. The audio system gets an upgrade that includes an engine sound amplifier to let drivers hear the car's acceleration. An active noise system reduces road noise in the cabin.

U.S. sales of the CR-Z plunged 34% year-over-year through July to less than 1,600 units. Honda hopes the makeover will increase demand to as much as 5,000 units in the U.S. from about 3,500 last year.