2012 Honda CR-Z iCF Mugen
If you have been waiting for one of the hottest hybrids of them all, you do not have to wait much longer because Honda UK has just unveiled the 2012 CR-Z iCF Mugen. What’s so hot about it? Well, for starters it has a 1.5-liter engine that fires 173 hp (175 PS / 129 kW). They managed to squeeze that much power from that engine by installing a centrifugal forced air conduction system and also remapping the ECU.
With this kind of horsepower under its hood, the CR-Z iCF Mugen is capable of doing the 0-62 mph sprint in a respectable 6.1 seconds, en route to a maximum speed of more than 130 mph (209 km/h).
2012 Honda CR-Z iCF Mugen
You should know that the European division of Mugen is still working on the car and Honda’s UK branch said that they will definitely roll out a production model. There are eight Honda UK Mugen dealers who have been informed by the company’s headquarters that by spring next year they will have the car ready for potential buyers to take them it for a spin. The starting price for the 2012 Honda CR-Z iCF Mugen will be of somewhere around 24,000 pounds ($37,245 / 27,944 Euros).
Source: Honda UK via WCF
Post tags: Tags: Honda, honda cr-z, honda cr-z icf mugen, mugen
Powered by Crowd Ignite
Mugen Honda Jazz (rendering)
I never was a big fan of the Honda Jazz and a sporty version is not appropriate for such a car, at least that’s my opinion. Anyway, Honda’s UK-based performance tuning division has admitted that it wants to come up with a hot version of the supermini. You probably already know that Mugen is developing the limited-run supercharged version of the hybrid-powered CRZ so a sporty Jazz is not out of the equation.
Mugen Honda Jazz (rendering)
For the Japanese version of the Honda Jazz, Mugen offers plenty of styling packages, but the power increases are very small. In order to come up with a considerably more powerful Jazz, Mugen might use the supercharged hybrid configuration of the CRZ or the engine used in the Civic Type R, a 2.0-liter VTEC high-revving, normally aspirated power plant.
Mugen Honda Jazz (rendering)
I don’t think that such a car will be successful in Europe where there are dozens of alternatives to choose from. Maybe, by adding a very aggressive bodykit will make the car look more appealing. The renderings in these photos look promising, but we don’t know how the production version will look like, if there will be one. We’ll have to wait and see.
Source: Mugen via AutoCar
Post tags: Tags: honda jazz, mugen
Powered by Crowd Ignite
If you thought that the Atom V8 500 was the most powerful and fast Ariel available, you are wrong as the company just finished preparing a limited edition Atom Mugen which made its debut at this year’s UK Autosport Show. This limited edition was made in order to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Atom and only 10 units will be produced. Each of these cars will come with different liveries and will have numbered plates signed by Ariel and Mugen. The latter is known for offering many tuning packages for Honda cars.
Aside from the regular features that you find in the standard Atom, the Mugen edition comes with four pot lightweight calipers as well as ventilated discs for both the front and rear wheels. Inside, the Mugen model will benefit from a multi-functional LCD screen installed in front of the Atom’s driver and will display all the necessary and relevant info, including lap times and gearshift indicators.
As far as the engine is concerned, the 2012 Ariel Atom Mugen will feature the unit that equips the Honda Civic Type R, which is a naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter K20Z Type R, but tuned by Mugen in order to output 270 hp @ 8,600 rpm. In comparison to the standard Atom, the Mugen offers a 25 hp increase. With this engine and a curb weight of less than 640 kg, the car will be able to reach 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, onto a top speed of about 150 mph.
We mentioned in the beginning of the article that only 10 units will be produced, but we have to warn you that one was already sold. For those of you interested in the 2012 Ariel Atom Mugen, the price is $78,700.
If you are curious about the Atom’s main competitor, it is the KTM X-Bow, although the cars look very different. Both of them have very similar performance specifications and the KTM X-Bow is fitted with a 240 hp Audi-based 2.0-liter TFSI DOHC engine, offering just about the same performance figures as the Atom Mugen.
Post tags: Tags: ariel, atom, mugen
Powered by Crowd Ignite
Good news and bad news for Honda fans: Mugen decided to tackle the Honda CR-Z hybrid, but the company only released a series of accessories which just make the hatchback “look” fast and won’t improve its rather small power rating of just 122 HP.
You will get quite a lot of things to add to the upcoming hybrid hatch, including a full aerodynamic kit consisting of restyled front and rear fascias, side skirts, and a huge wing for the roof, which considering the low power of the car, just looks silly. Other style upgrades include a new grille with LED daytime running lights, triangular rear exhaust tips like the Civic hatch, and five various wheel design options. Weight will also be “saved” with the carbon fiber license plate mounting.
For the inside, Mugen revealed an aluminum gearshift knob, a three-gauge central cluster, floor mats and another brilliant weight saving option of a carbon fiber rear-view mirror cover! Handling will receive a slight upgrade through the optimized exhaust, suspension and braking system.
Until the oft-rumored Mugen-tuned high performance Honda CR-Z hot hybrid hatch appears, you’re going to make do with these offerings.
(more…)
Post tags: Tags: Honda, honda cr-z, mugen, Tuning
Powered by Crowd Ignite
When Honda announced the CR-Z hybrid sports coupe, I’m sure most of you, including us, were expecting something a bit more aggressive in terms of power than the current setup of a 102 HP 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine coupled with a 20 HP electric motor.
But even though the stock model might not have blown our minds, many hardcore Honda and hybrid fans are beginning to ponder if the Japanese company will reveal a Type R performance model, or, better yet, if its traditional tuning partner, Mugen, will thoroughly give the CR-Z a power make over.
Although nothing is confirmed, the guys at AutoExpress have come forward with a few interesting rumors and speculations on the future performance CR-Z hybrid. According to them, the engine’s output will be taken to a more respectable 150 HP, but seeing as how the hybrid setup can’t be taken out of the body, the electric motor will also receive an upgrade, taking it to around 50 HP.
Other handling upgrades, like a revamped suspension, better brakes and aerodynamic accessories will also be added to the 200 HP hybrid coupe. A new Sport Plus driving mode, which will modify things like throttle response, steering and how the electric motor helps the engine, will also be added, to increase driver pleasure.
It’s quite likely that at least a Honda CR-Z Type R will appear in the future. Whether or not it will have these power figures is still unknown though. What do you think? Would 200 HP of hybrid power get you interested in the three-door hatch?
(more…)
Post tags: Tags: Honda, honda cr-z, honda cr-z type r, Hybrid, mugen, Tuning
Powered by Crowd Ignite
Mugen-tuned edition of Honda CR-Z also leaked through a brochure
Well that was certainly fast, after just a few days since a leaked brochure showcased the production version of the upcoming Honda CR-Z hybrid model, a new leak reveals the customization options available for the Japanese model from Mugen, a traditional Honda tuner.
No concrete details about performance were available, but it seems that the company will offer a complete body kit, including front bumper and splitter, side skirts, a rear bumper plus a wing. New wheels, possibly 17-inch, are included, which may be wrapped in a set of performance tires.
Chances are you might also see some enhancements made to the regular engine of the CR-Z or even to the electric motor, in order to prevent the new Honda model from being all show and no go. Expect official word at the beginning of next year, when the CR-Z will enter production.
(more…)
Post tags: Tags: Honda, honda cr-z, leaked-photos, mugen, Tuning
Powered by Crowd Ignite
Next year’s Honda CR-Z hybrid sports coupe is looking pretty good, and promises to deliver some respectable performance figures for a hybrid Japanese car.
But it seems that Honda’s performance and tuning department, Mugen, believes that there is a lot of wasted potential in the hybrid hatchback, and says that a custom prepped version might hit the market after the release of the CR-Z, which will happen all around the world next year.
Hiroki Toyoda (imagine the jokes he gets with that name), the vice president of Mugen’s European branch, revealed that there is a lot of potential in the hybrid powertrain used by the CR-Z, and that the company will study a lot of performance upgrades for it.
If the Honda CR-Z has awaken your interest, would a Mugen-prepped version make you even more interested? Drop a comment with your view.
(more…)
Post tags: Tags: Honda, honda cr-z, Hybrid, mugen, performance, Tuning
Powered by Crowd Ignite
If you’re in the market for a brand new pocket rocket and want something truly exclusive that any boy-racer can’t even dream, then perhaps you should know that Honda’s performance division, Mugen, has announced that it will be developing an even more powerful version of its hot hatchback, the Honda Civic Type-R.
Dubbed the Ultimate Civic Type-R, the new car will benefit from an increase of power from 198 to 237, and 10% more torque all across the rev range. Other improvements include new pistons, camshafts, intake manifold and, of course, a new stainless steel exhaust system. Add a revamped suspension system with a limited-slip differential and you’ve got yourself one of the most hardcore Type-R Civics.
Of course Mugen couldn’t neglect the outside of the car, and besides the new bodykit, they added a massive wing in order to generate downforce and make it look that much cooler. Adding to said “cool” factor will be a set of forged alloy wheels, which will allow air to pass to the new racing brake calipers.
In case you’re eagerly awaiting this new model, be warned that only 20 will be made, each with the asking price of £38,599 or €42,348.
(more…)
Post tags: Tags: europe, Honda, honda-civic, honda-civic-type-r, mugen, ultimate
Powered by Crowd Ignite
Last week, the new Honda Accord made its official debut in Japan and only a few days later, Honda specialist Mugen already presented the first details regarding the upcoming package for the car, both sedan and wagon versions. The Accord Mugen will a full new bodykit, with new front and rear spoilers, ‘aero’ bumpers, side sills and a huge rear wing, plus four alloy wheel designs available in 18 and 19 inches size. Performance upgrades include a new sport suspension kit, high-performance brake pads and rotors, plus a new sport exhaust system. No word wether the 2.4 liter engine or the 5-speed automatic transmission received any upgrades.
Photo Gallery: New Honda Accord by Mugen
(more…)
Post tags: Tags: Honda, honda-accord, japan, mugen, Tuning
Powered by Crowd Ignite
Unfortunately, this year, the Tokyo show took place in the same time as the Detroit Auto Show, and of course it didn’t get the press coverage it deserved, which is a shame, because there were a lot of cool cars presented there too. And of these cars is this, the Honda Civic Mugen Type-RR Experiment Spec. Yeah, I know, long name. The car is powered by a 260hp (194kW) 2.2L K20A engine, which basically is a modified i-VTEC 2.0L unit, with reduced friction on the internals and redesigned camshafts.
The gearbox has been changed, the standard model’s manual box being replaced with a six-speed sequential unit, which shifts gears in 80 milliseconds. The car still retains a clutch but this is only used when launching from a standstill. Other modifications include uprated brakes, shocks and springs and Mugen’s new ‘I-TCMS’ tire monitoring system.
View more photos after the jump.
(more…)
Post tags: Tags: Honda, honda-civic, honda-civic-type-r, mugen, tokyo-auto-show, Tuning
Powered by Crowd Ignite
With the 2008 Honda Fit/Jazz scheduled to be released this week in Japan, Mugen, Honda’s tuning partner, already came up with two tuning program for the little fellar. These modifications consist of newly designed body kits, plus some other performance mods like sports exhaust system, sport suspension, brake pads and high-performance air-filter. The two available kits, called the L/G Aero Kit and the RS Aero Kit (the more aggressive one) include restyled front and rear bumpers, a roof spoiler, side skirts and chromed exhaust pipes. And if that’s not enough for you, Mugen also offers alloy-wheels, aluminum pedals and extra gauges.
View more photos after the jump.
(more…)
Post tags: Tags: fit, Honda, jazz, mugen, Tuning
Powered by Crowd Ignite
