- Honda has released the first video footage of the Mugen-tuned CR-Z.
- The one-off Mugen CR-Z debuts next month at the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed.
- Mugen has supercharged the hybrid powertrain and lightened the car to improve performance.
LONDON — Honda has released the first video footage of the one-off Mugen-tuned CR-Z that debuts next month at the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The Mugen CR-Z was announced earlier this year as a joint project between Honda (U.K.) and its tuning partner, Mugen Euro.
Honda and Mugen have been dribbling out bits of information on the car's development and released the first official photos in May.
The new YouTube video shows the nearly finished Mugen CR-Z zipping along some twisty Welsh mountain roads. Among the details are the Recaro seats, white-faced gauges, carbon-fiber hood and Mugen badging.
Mugen Euro, which developed the 238-horsepower Civic Type R Mugen in 2009 for Honda (U.K.), said the CR-Z has been supercharged to deliver 198 hp 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.
Mugen said the CR-Z's 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.
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: This is definitely one of the highly anticipated highlights at this year's Goodwood festival.
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hda6spmthater says:
11:22 AM, 06/20/2011
O man. This is successor to the legendary cr-x? dissapointing
jederino says:
04:24 PM, 06/17/2011
My uncle just purchased a base CRZ, so I'll have to harass him.
I rode along in a regular CRZ on an autocross event, and I actually was surprised by the handling and feel. It was fun! I did not get to drive, but it dawned on me that Honda isn't completely fallen.
Downside: the driver had to rev the motor for a few minutes prior to each 60-second run to get the battery charged. So, err, that's not efficient...
eldaino2 says:
09:07 AM, 06/15/2011
the spoiler is a bit much, but regardless of how ugly it is, mugen (however overpriced) does wind tunnel test all its aero parts, so they are functional. (to each his own if you dont like the looks. i personally would have preferred something more subtle.)
i love the car, i'm just not a fan of the led lights on the headlights. i knew kia/hyundai and lexus ripped of audi, but i didnt think honda would jump on that bandwagon. at least they dont look as garish as some others.
eldaino2 says:
09:01 AM, 06/15/2011
gtr guy: how about because even THE STOCK version of the cr-z makes only like 12lb-ft of torque less than the k20?
the torque on this thing blows away anything a k20 can do, and at lower rpms. even the type r k20's cant touch that torque figure, and they weigh even more, and are only making about 25-35hp more.
cb_racer says:
07:23 AM, 06/15/2011
Guys, not all hybrids are made to safe fuel. Some hybrid systems, like KERS in Formula 1 cars, are made to increase power...would this be a trend??? I'm just saying...
I'd love to have a Power button, like a nitro button, to get that quick (and temporary) extra power. Very childish desire, but still cool.
dmpete says:
03:00 AM, 06/15/2011
Firstly, I hate hybrids, I think they are drummed up for the consumer to spend more money by being (green). When in fact they don't really save anything, but.... if you are going to make a hybrid, why in the hell would you drop a supercharger in it and then proclaim it as the second coming. 198hp/180trq, please. Honda just continues to disappoint me. Plus this thing looks stupid. You don't need a huge wing when you max speed is like 130 miles an hour, it's just for posers. They really need to go back to the drawing board and make a true sports car and stop trying to warm over this crap. Lastly, Mugen is highly overrated, it's another draw to get you to spend more money than you should bc it's a mugen. FAIL.
gtrguy2012 says:
10:18 PM, 06/14/2011
Yeah lets supercharge a hybrid.... why not just get rid of that dumb hybrid powertrain, if you really want to save weight, ditch those batteries and drop the K series in it and lets see what it can do.
modestlyfrugal says:
09:10 PM, 06/14/2011
And here I thought the 90's was over by two decades ago.
zeniff says:
06:01 PM, 06/14/2011
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Please wake me up when Honda does something worth reading.
fhwulala says:
05:50 PM, 06/14/2011
what's the point of a gigantic spoiler on a FWD car? It just adds more weight and hinder the performance