- Honda (U.K.) and tuning partner Mugen Euro have revealed the first official photos of the supercharged CR-Z Mugen hybrid that will be publicly unveiled this summer at the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed.
- In tests of an early prototype, Mugen said 0-60 acceleration times were "around that of the Civic Type R."
- Since then, Mugen said it has increased engine output by another 15 percent and pared chassis weight by 110 pounds.
LONDON — Honda (U.K.) and tuning partner Mugen Euro have revealed the first official photos of the supercharged CR-Z Mugen hybrid that will be publicly unveiled this summer at the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The development partners earlier this year released a sketch of the one-off performance car, saying there are no immediate production plans.
Mugen Euro, which developed the 238-horsepower Civic Type R Mugen in 2009 for Honda (U.K.), said in March that its tuned CR-Z would deliver "Type R-like performance." In its latest dispatch on Wednesday, Mugen said 0-60 acceleration times with a "mid-tune engine" were "around that of the Civic Type R." Since then, Mugen said it had increased engine output by another 15 percent and pared chassis weight by 110 pounds.
Earlier this month, Mugen said the CR-Z will be supercharged to deliver 198 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. The CR-Z's IMA electric motor and 1.5-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder gas engine have been rebuilt to Mugen specs with upgraded and strengthened internal components, resulting in an increase of more than 50 percent in output and torque over the factory specs.
Mugen said it has retained the standard CR-Z's three driving modes, including a highly efficient "eco" mode, along with a special "Mugen" mode that enables the supercharger to boost the performance of the car's gasoline engine while still delivering surprisingly good fuel economy.
Mugen also has upgraded handling and performance, fitting adjustable shocks and large disc brakes, increasing track and reducing weight. Mugen GP 17-inch forged alloy wheels are part of an exterior package that includes front and rear airdams, side skirts and a rear wing.
Inside Line says: A little screamer — and still a gas sipper.
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mindspin311 says:
12:41 PM, 05/22/2011
I'll bet that Honda plans to bring the US some version of this car insted of a Civic Type-R as the hardcore model that the Si no longer is. I remember reading something about a CR-Z Si turbo months ago, but I guess it's a supercharger instead. Cool.
neusp33d2 says:
09:56 PM, 05/19/2011
That rear wing reminds me heavily of the Honda rice rocket legacy from the late 90's early 2000's
aston_dbs says:
08:07 AM, 05/19/2011
I don't really understand what the problem is...
Honda,
Just replace the hybrid engine with the 201-hp SI/TSX one.
There!! Problem SOLVED!!
ed341 says:
07:21 AM, 05/19/2011
Three comments:
1. How can it have a similar 0-60 time as a 240hp somewhat lightweight CTR?
2. If you have seen the cost of Mugen products and modified vehicles, it would be a safe bet to assume this car will cost $60,000+.
3. If by some miracle it is actually made, it will never, ever see US soil.
dghstlstrdp says:
05:35 AM, 05/19/2011
@jhatmaker24
@orbit09
Call me close-minded, if you want, but if close-minded is what you call a person who advocates conscious responsibility over the engineering of consent, then so be it. This is an abomination compared to the original CR-X.
And I'm not just saying this 'coz i jumped on this "bandwagon" (I dunno about you, but people have the right to criticize a car if the facts confirm it); the facts are clear! The old timer was able to deliver great fuel economy w/o resorting to heavy electric battery and electric motor shit. That made it light and zippy. What makes anyone think that hybrids HAVE to be the way?
It's because modern society assumes that people are unwilling to change their attitudes and mannerisms, and therefore have to be the ones controlled through the technology: by using technology that ensures fuel economy even w/o your conscious effort. That way, we don't have to actually change ourselves and the way we drive; just lazy effortless fuel economy.
In the process, however, u get a damn heavy and expensive car that will stay heavier than the conventional gas engine so long as its got the superfluous electric crap. It loses out to the sporting pretensions to real cars that give the agency to the actual driver. I mean, for example, the original CR-X had four wheel independent suspension, its part of what made it so good. The CR-Z, being an expensive hybrid "sports car" has to settle for the usual torsion beam at the back. It's no wonder the base CR-Z was such a let down.
It's all about how you drive a car. Get a diesel or a small gas engine and drive it in an efficient way. It's the people that have to change, not the cars!
carlos20 says:
05:34 AM, 05/19/2011
The aftemarket industry built a empire around Honda. All Hondas scream aftermarket parts.
and the CR-Z in pure Honda fashion is the new child for the industry.
Honda fans never mind his car are 20 or 30hp less than competition, the industry have alternatives, so built a 180hp CR-Z isnt a big deal.
icecubefosho says:
04:48 AM, 05/19/2011
The real problem I have is the lack of a backseat whereas the Japanese spec has a backseat. Its a gorgeous and very striking design but it also isn't as sporty as its styling suggests. It really is just a hard sale. Though I don't know how much the mugen is, I don't know if the fuel savings of this car vs. a used Cayman/Miata/Z4 would pay off.
alex38 says:
01:45 AM, 05/19/2011
in typical honda fashion these days...just awful to look at from the outside. The interior is still nice tho - that steering wheels looks awesome, i'll give it that. Pretty much the ONLY thing i like tho
dgs4 says:
01:01 AM, 05/19/2011
"Some of you are missing the point here...whether you like it or not, the automotive industry is moving towards more fuel-efficient/electric/hybird/etc cars. It's a fact. And with that comes cars with more weight due to the current technology restraints."
The problem is the CR-Z is far from class leading fuel economy, and it's "slightly" more sporty to drive than a Prius, so it fails at both missions. I am all for sporty and fuel thrifty, and in many ways feel my 2009 Honda Fit sport manual transmission is just that. In real world driving I bet I'm getting close to what the CR-Z would get gas mileage, and my Fit is more fun to drive. Plus I can still get four real adults in my car and plenty of stuff. The CR-Z is again like this weird compromise of hatchback but limited space. It want's to be all things and it fails at all things.
I was completely underwhelmed of my test drive of a 6-speed manual CR-Z, it's a big disappointment in its current state.
ambee514 says:
03:30 PM, 05/18/2011
AWESOME! I am gonna guess that it isnt going to be for sale in the US though.