- A one-off high-performance edition of Honda's sporty hybrid will debut this summer at the Goodwood Festival of Speed — but Mugen maintains there are no plans for production.
- Tuned by Mugen Euro, the special CR-Z will develop more power and torque.
- Mugen Euro will enhance the car's gasoline engine and its IMA electric motor.
LONDON — A one-off high-performance edition of Honda's sporty CR-Z hybrid will debut this summer at the Goodwood Festival of Speed — but Honda U.K.'s tuning partner, Mugen Euro, maintains there are no plans for production.
The Mugen-tuned CR-Z will boast higher output and torque, but the U.K. arm of Honda's longtime tuning partner says it's too early to reveal final figures. It suggests, however, that the modifications to the car's 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and IMA electric motor may even enhance fuel economy and reduce emissions.
Mugen Euro, which developed the 238-horsepower Civic Type R Mugen in 2009 for Honda U.K., said its tuned CR-Z would deliver "Type R-like performance," thanks in part to uprated brakes and suspension.
To help reduce weight, Mugen alloy rims and a carbon-fiber hood will be fitted. Aerodynamic bits from Mugen, including a spoiler and revised front and rear fascias, will improve airflow.
"We wanted to extend the performance of the CR-Z," said Hiro Toyoda of Mugen Euro. "It is already a fun car to drive, with an excellent chassis, but we thought that with more power and enhanced torque delivery it could be even more exciting. However, as with all Mugen projects, we have stayed true to the Honda design and philosophy, and the electric motor is still a vital ingredient to boost performance and economy."
Inside Line says: The partners say the CR-Z Mugen "is being developed purely as a one-off prototype, with no plans for a production version." Don't believe it. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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acuratsx1 says:
01:18 PM, 03/29/2011
MUGEN, WORK MORE IN TO THE ACCCORD COUPE. AT LEAST ACCORD HAS A SOME HP TO PLAY WITH.
jmm_101r says:
04:09 PM, 03/19/2011
K55:
I AGREE WIT U.. HONDA IS JUST MAKING THINGS TO DIFFICULT FOR THEM SELFS.
k55 says:
11:34 AM, 03/19/2011
Type R? Heck, Just lose the batteries and associated cost...bring out an Si with a 1.6 DOHC , Maybe 160hp ,direct injection, VVT, 6spd auto or stick ......sell for about 21k and be done with it ( the loss of batteries and associated tech should offset some of the SI goodies,yes?)
jmm_101r says:
03:55 PM, 03/18/2011
$35,000BUX..
LIKE I SAID BEFORE.. THEIR GOES HONDA MAKIN DUMB DECISIONS ONCE AGAIN TO MAKE THIS EXPENSIVE CAR AND ITS SLOW!
IN MY EYEZ.. WIT THIS ECONOMY. THAT IS A WASTE OF TIME! THIS CAR IS A PERFECT CANDIDATE TO BE THE NEXT CAR ON HONDA'S CHOPPIN' BLOCK(LIKE THE HONDA ELEMENT)
jmess says:
03:51 PM, 03/18/2011
We can only hope the public will be able to buy the rear wing and Type R sticker?
anoncardriver says:
01:08 PM, 03/18/2011
I think that some of these car companies should release some of mark up body kits aftermarket. Slow or not. A lot of people who would want that kind of thing would probably want that kind of thing, probably would put on their own charger as well.
wx_geek says:
11:50 AM, 03/18/2011
Great, a $35,000 CR-Z that is still slow.
hotrodw says:
08:03 AM, 03/18/2011
The heck with the aftermarket . . . Honda should offer and R-spec package with turbo from the factory. No cartoonish body add-ons, 20" wheels or tacky graphics. Just a subtle appearance package and a screaming DI turbo four. They can even keep the hybrid components if they insist, but give us what we want -- real performance.