Auto For Speed

Japanese tuner Noblesse has been steadily releasing numerous aftermarket bits and pieces for the new CR-Z ever since Honda launched its hybrid sport hatch . Among other parts, the company has developed a ground aero-kit with front and rear bumper aprons, side skirts, a rear diffuser and a large roof wing. These can be complemented by a lightweight carbon fiber hood, underbody aero parts, larger alloy wheels and a sport exhaust system. You can check out photos of Noblesse‘s Honda CR-Z offerings along with a video of a test car doing a circuit round right after the jump.

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Six short years ago, the minivan segment was thriving. Sales were a million strong and nameplates were as diverse as the sweet selections in a box of See’s chocolates. From Japan (Honda Odyssey, Mazda MPV, Nissan Quest, Toyota Sienna) and Korea (Kia Sedona) to the good ol’ US of A (Buick Terraza, Chevy Uplander, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan, Ford Freestar, Mercury Monterey, Pontiac Montana, Oldsmobile Silhouette, Saturn Relay), the minivan menu offered savory — and, let’s face it, some unsavory — choices for every mom and dad.

And then something happened. A seed called the three-row crossover was planted, and it sprouted like bamboo on a Miracle-Gro drip. Suddenly, automakers were clamoring to harvest these hip, urban transporters and many decided to axe their no-longer-so-cool minivans. Sales of the sliding-door transporters tumbled to around 400,000 in 2009. Since then, however, the numbers have steadily increased, and they’re trending to more than 500,000 in 2011.

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