Mugen Euro Building High-Performance Version of Honda CR-Z Hybrid

One of the biggest problems most see with Honda’s CR-Z hybrid sport hatch is the lack of a performance version. That may change soon enough as Mugen’s European division is readying a “highly-tuned” version of the CR-Z that it claims will deliver “Type R-like” performance. The faster and more powerful CR-Z Mugen prototype is being developed as a joint project between Honda UK and Mugen Euro, and it will make its world debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this July.

“This will be one quick hybrid,” said Martin Moll, Head of Marketing for Honda UK. “With more torque, more power and MUGEN’s experience of working with Honda cars, we’re expecting great things. It promises to show how hybrid cars can be even more exciting to drive.”

Honda said that the CR-Z MUGEN prototype will feature modifications to both the 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine and the Honda IMA system to boost power and torque, adding that these changes may also result in greater mpg and lower CO2 emissions during some conditions. Final power, torque and fuel economy figures are not yet known.

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Honda Confirms Development of Euro Mugen Civic Type R 240HP, Releases New Details

After weeks of media speculation that arose after the release of a teaser set of photos as well as a promotional video, Honda has finally confirmed the development of a highly-tuned Civic Type R 'MUGEN' concept prototype road car. The key word here is 'concept' as the Japanese automaker noted that "currently there are no plans for a production model" and that at this stage, the hot Civic is "being prepared purely as a prototype model."

However, judging from our past experience with these kind of press statements from automakers, we'd say that Honda's hot hatch is very, very close to production...

Besides confirming the existence of the car, the Japanese automaker also revealed some juicy new details. First of all, the hardcore three-door hatch is being developed in Japan by MUGEN EURO, the Northampton-based subsidiary of Honda's official tuning arm, and will be brought to the UK for further testing later in the year.

Honda said that the European Civic Type R 'MUGEN' will use the same powertrain as the Civic MUGEN RR saloon launched in Japan in 2007. This translates to a specially modified version of the Type R's 200HP 2.0-liter four banger producing 240-horsepower.

The Japanese firm added that as well as developing the engine, the hardcore Civic Type R MUGEN will benefit from brake system, exhaust and suspension upgrades while externally, the Civic will take on an a more aggressive stance, with a new aerodynamic package that includes a larger rear wing.

"In standard trim, the Civic Type R is a thrilling machine to drive," said Hiro Toyoda, Vice President of MUGEN EURO in a prepared statement. "It is a fantastic base model from which we hope to develop one of the quickest point to point front-wheel-drive road cars in the country."

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Limited Edition Ariel Atom Tuned by Mugen Packs 270 Horsepower

At the 2011 Autosport International Show in Birmingham, UK, Ariel unveiled the latest iteration of its “no screen, no roof, no doors” Atom, the Mugen-flavored limited edition it first hinted at back in December. Only ten units will be built, each featuring a special livery with a red chassis, white bodywork and red graphics showing the number of the car, to mark 10 years of production and 1,000 Atoms manufactured.

The highlight of the bare-essentials sports car is a Mugen-tuned 2.0-liter Honda K20Z naturally aspirated engine, delivering an impressive 270HP at 8,600 rpm and 255 Nm (188 lb-ft) of torque at 6,000 rpm.

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Ariel to Celebrate Atom’s 10th Anniversary with Mugen-Tuned Special

Ariel's much acclaimed bare-essentials sports car, the Atom, turned 10 this year. In order to celebrate the special occasion, the British maker has joined forces with Mugen's European branch to develop a special edition model, which will be launched onto the market in January 2011 in a strictly limited run of 10 cars. Read more »

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Ariel to Celebrate Atom’s 10th Anniversary with Mugen-Tuned Special

Ariel's much acclaimed bare-essentials sports car, the Atom, turned 10 this year. In order to celebrate the special occasion, the British maker has joined forces with Mugen's European branch to develop a special edition model, which will be launched onto the market in January 2011 in a strictly limited run of 10 cars. Read more »

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Honda gives away Original Civic Type R Mugen Concept to one Lucky Chap

Remember the red-colored Civic Type R Mugen Concept that Honda showed in the summer of 2009 before the model received the green light for a limited run of 20 units in the UK? Well, the one-off concept car that was used as a test-bed for the production model and which is worth over £60,000, was given away in a draw to celebrate Honda's participation in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). The competition proved quite successful attracting more than 24,000 entries.

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Honda gives away Original Civic Type R Mugen Concept to one Lucky Chap

Remember the red-colored Civic Type R Mugen Concept that Honda showed in the summer of 2009 before the model received the green light for a limited run of 20 units in the UK? Well, the one-off concept car that was used as a test-bed for the production model and which is worth over £60,000, was given away in a draw to celebrate Honda's participation in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). The competition proved quite successful attracting more than 24,000 entries.

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2011 Honda CR-Z Mugen Unveiled at SEMA, Production Limited to 300 Units

We'll soon bring you the full low-down on the customized and conceptual Honda CR-Z models from the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, but to whet your appetite, here's a brand new Mugen-accessorized version that will enter production in the spring of 2011. Only 300 of these kits will go on sale in the U.S. with pricing details to be made available closer to the on-sale date.

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2011 Honda CR-Z Mugen Unveiled at SEMA, Production Limited to 300 Units

We'll soon bring you the full low-down on the customized and conceptual Honda CR-Z models from the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, but to whet your appetite, here's a brand new Mugen-accessorized version that will enter production in the spring of 2011. Only 300 of these kits will go on sale in the U.S. with pricing details to be made available closer to the on-sale date.

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MUGEN Accessorizes the Honda CR-Z Hybrid Coupe

Honda fans, hold your 'horses'; Mugen's take on the new Honda CR-Z improves the Japanese hybrid coupe in all areas except the one that probably counts the most for you: Performance...

However, there's still hope as Honda's official tuning arm has made it clear that it is still considering the development of a high-performance version of the CR-Z in the likes of the MUGEN Civic Type Rs, but until we see the car in the flesh, you'll have to do with the firm's new range of go-fast bits.

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New Honda Civic Type R MUGEN 200: Another Limited Edition Special

In addition to the jam-packed Civic Type R MUGEN with its tweaked 240HP 2.0-liter i-VTEC, of which only 20 units will be sold in the UK at a hefty £38,599 a piece (approximately US$60,300 or €44,400 at today's exchange rates), Honda today announced that it will offer a less hardcore variant of the hot hatch without the performance upgrades.

Aptly named the Civic Type R MUGEN 200, the special edition model is based on the three-door European model and features the same 201-horsepower 2.0-liter high-revving i-VTEC as the standard model.

As its name suggests, only 200 examples of the special Type R models will be made with sales set to start in the UK in April.

So, what makes this variant stand out? Offered exclusively in a Championship White exterior finish, the MUGEN 200 features the same aero parts as the 240HP model, including a new front bumper, side skirts, a huger rear wing and a different rear bumper with an integrated diffuser housing two jumbo-sized tail pipes.

The 19-inch alloy wheels, glossy black door mirrors, Mugen badges, an individually numbered plaque and the standard limited-slip differential complete the MUGEN package.

Honda said that a range of tuning parts to enhance the chassis will also be available as dealer fit options.

More details as well as pricing on the MUGEN 200 will be revealed in March.

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MUGEN Does the Honda Civic Type R Euro: JDM Launch Sparks New Line of Aero and Performance Parts

It's only been a couple of weeks since Honda introduced the UK-built three-door Civic Type R in Japan, but the automaker's aftermarket affiliate Mugen has already released a bevy of upgrades for the hot hatch. Naturally, all performance and styling parts are inspired from the limited edition Civic Type R MUGEN 240HP, of which only 20 examples will be made.

And while Mugen doesn't offer the special edition's upgraded engine that develops 240HP instead of the standard model's 200HP, what it does provide is the same aero parts such as the front and rear aprons, ventilated bonnet, gigantic rear wing and rear diffuser plus the lightweight 18-inch alloy wheels that are available in gunmetal or bronze finish.

The tuner's offerings also include other hardware upgrades like the sport suspension and brake packages, tire-monitoring system, copper-fiber clutch set, sport exhaust system, quick shifter and even a limited slip differential.

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