We already showed you the first leaked (from a brochure) images of images of Honda's CR-Z hybrid sportster a couple of weeks ago, but now additional photos have surfaced that reveal the car's interior.

What the new pics show is a pseudo-futuristic cabin with a large centrally mounted tacho-cum-digital speedo, and possibly the largest gearshift lever in history.

The theme of the cabin is "Hi-tech and Sporty", and the instrument panel can glow in three different colours, depending on which driving mode is activated (Econ, Normal or Sport).

To recap: the CR-Z's motive power comes from a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine with 84kW at 6000rpm and 145Nm of torque at 4800rpm, and these outputs are boosted by the 10kW/78Nm eked out by a supplementary electric motor, delivering a total of 94kW and 223Nm.

The leaked brochure quotes a 0-100km/h split of 9.7sec, which isn't on the sporting end of the scale, but the CR-Z at least outsprints its Insight hybrid sibling (which takes 12.5sec to knock off the increment).

However, enthusiasts will no doubt be hoping for an eventual Type-R version, although Honda has not provided any indication that such a variant will eventuate.

Economy is obviously a forte, with consumption figures of 4.5L/100km and 4.0L/100km for the auto and manual versions respectively. Both transmissions are six-speeders.

The CR-Z rolls into Japanese showrooms in February, but there's no word as yet on an Australian launch date.

Going on what we've seen so far, we applaud the CR-Z's styling, which succeeds in recapturing the pert sportiness of the much-loved first-gen CR-X (1983-91)... even if the performance doesn't. However, the spendthrift/enviro-conscious shoppers Honda will no doubt be targeting may not care about the lack of oomph.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at www.carsales.mobi