Honda are again proving that in order for a car to be environmentally friendly it must also be ugly and/or weird looking. Honda are showcasing two new environmentally friendly concepts at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show.

The first concept, rivals the Nissan Pivo 2 for the prestigious title of "Ugliest Car I've Seen Recently". The Honda PUYO is a fuel cell vehicle which Honda suggest was designed based on "out-of-box thinking". I'd argue that the PUYO was designed to LOOK like a box!

The Honda designers attempted to create the PUYO as a cornerless "Seamless Soft Box" design. Apparently they were trying to draw comparisons with "an adorable pet". The PUYO features a gel body (made from soft materials), which is an interesting choice.

I'm not sure what the designers were on, but I have to be honest, the PUYO is not a good looking car! Fortunately the CR-Z follows somewhat more traditional design cues. The CR-Z is branded as a next-generation lightweight sports car, that comes equipped with Honda's original petrol-electric hybrid system that balances clean performance and a high level of torque.

So, what does the CR-Z stand for? 'Compact Renaissance Zero'. The CR-Z is designed for a futuristic and dynamic look. The large 19 inch wheels give it a sportier look, as do the fins on the body.

Compared to the other environmentally friendly concepts kicking around at the moment, I think you'd probably agree when I say that the CR-Z is a step in the right direction.

Popularity: 35% [?]