Along with the street-legal CR-Z Concept Mugen also brought along a competition version bearing the ‘RR’ moniker. The conceptual Mugen CR-Z RR sports a more dynamic aero package comprising of bespoke parts such as the wider front and rear bumpers with air-vents, side skirts, a rear diffuser and larger rear wing.
Read more »
According to company’s European division, the CR-Z Mugen sets out to prove that hybrid cars can be exciting to drive, with the one-off special producing “Civic Type R-like performance” while also remaining true to the original, eco-friendly character of the run-of-the-mill CR-Z.
Colin Whittamore from Mugen Euro explains the philosophy behind the creation of the CR-Z Mugen:
Read more »
The prototype CR-Z is the collaborative work of Honda UK and its in-house tuning shop Mugen Euro. The hotted-up hybrid sports car feature modifications to the 1.5-liter i-VTEC petrol engine with the addition of a supercharger as well as to the Honda IMA system.
Read more »
The Japanese company says development of the CR-Z Mugen is on track, with “performance figures already looking promising”. Honda revealed that early tests with a prototype car based on a standard CR-Z and a mid-tune engine have given 0-60 mph (96 km/h) sprint times around that of the European market Civic Type R (6.6 seconds). Later on, Mugen increased output by another 15 percent and reduced the chassis' weight by 50 kilograms, so that overall performance is expected to be even better than the Type R's.
“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.
Read more »
On the other side of the fence are two models that achieved the poorest results of 2010. These are the Citroen Nemo with three stars and China's Landwind CV9 that received only two stars.
Read more »
Even more impressive is the beast that lurks under the hood as the tuner said the CR-Z concept model features a HKS supercharged version of the 1.5-liter four-banger delivering 271-horses (202.4 kW). No other details were given about the powertrain upgrades in the firm's spec sheet. You can gaze upon the rest of the pictures after the break.
At this year's event, Honda will be presenting several vehicles including the TS-1X concept study based on the CR-Z hybrid. The prototype model is the work of Honda Access Corporation, the Japanese carmaker's in-house aftermarket division.
Read more »
The two cars share the same performance enhancements including a turbocharger and upgraded IMA hybrid system, which result in an estimated combined output of 200 horsepower and 175 lb-ft. of torque. Both models also get a performance clutch, limited-slip differential, 'circuit-tuned' suspension, upgraded brakes and aerodynamic components.
From there on, the Hybrid R model was developed for street use benefiting from certain sport touches to the interior such as the red steering wheel rim and Recaro bucket seats.
