Although the CR-Z is not yet available to the public, a select few have been making the rounds with the press in the past few weeks for initial driving impressions. When the press first saw the car last January, most were pleased with its looks, but were skeptical about our claim that a hybrid could be fun to drive. Once members of the press actually got behind the wheel of the CR-Z, their doubts were often replaced by the pleasant realization that the CR-Z does, in fact, offer a unique and enjoyable driving experience. We’ll stop short of saying “we told you so,” but it’s nice to know that multiple third parties are pleased with what the CR-Z has to offer. Check out these early impressions.

The CR-Z and Gran Turismo 5 join forces

The CR-Z and 3-D Gran Turismo 5 have a lot in common. First and foremost, the new CR-Z is one of the vehicles players can drive in GT5. They both deliver a pure driving experience. And they were both introduced to the gaming community at E3 in Los Angeles. If geography or your day job prevented you from attending the massive expo, then take a look at the following video. For the record, the production model of the CR-Z debuts August 24—more than two months before the digital model.

Going where no other hybrid has gone before.

A hybrid and the curvy mountain roads of Mulholland for a first encounter and chance to drive the new 2012 Honda CR-Z seemed unnatural. You see, hybrids have been known to be strictly ultra-efficient econo-boxes. Don't get me wrong—current on-the-market hybrids are great cars that have fabulous functionality, but most will not put a smile on your face when looking for a fun, sportive drive down the road, especially a stretch of pavement that twists and turns around the Santa Monica Mountains of California.

The genesis of the CR-Z.

Often, the final product has no similarity to the original sketch. In the case of the CR-Z, the final product is, perhaps more than any other car in recent years, the incarnation of the designer's dream.