The coupe category look set to be strengthened by fresh blood, albeit derived from the old guard, with the introduction of the Honda CR-Z concept at the Tokyo Motor Show last month.

As you should already know, the Honda concept is but a name as it'll go into production and be released into the Japanese market next February. North America will be next to receive it in fall and we, along with the rest of the world, will get it in 2012.

The Honda CR-Z is a step (and two alphabets) forward from the compact coupe Honda CR-X of the '80s.

The sleek bullet will use Honda's Integrated Motor Assist system, Honda's hybrid car technology already found in the Civic hybrid and the Insight.

For the first time in hybrid car technology, the Honda CR-Z will employ a six-speed manual transmission and powering it will e a 1.5-litre inline-4. The exact figures have yet to be released but as far as we can tell, it sounds like a hoot to drive.