Civic Type-R - Modified Magazine

Suspension development has been very high on the agenda to transform the CR-Z into a more focused drive. Specially developed MUGEN dampers offer a slightly stiffer ride and five adjustments to fine-tune the setup from fast road use all the way to circuit use. As MUGEN's staff told us, the rear dampers use the same size piston as the ones found on the Civic Type-R, so you can gauge from this just how potentially good the car will feel. Performance-wise, the little 1.5-liter engine gains a completely redesigned MUGEN carbon airbox that utilizes a much larger performance-oriented panel filter. This, combined with the after-cat stainless steel exhaust system with triangular tip, offers a marginal gain in performance. But as we know with MUGEN, due to its official tie with Honda, the company doesn't actually declare performance figures. The CR-Z will feel more responsive, and from what we've heard, has a deeper, throatier sound compared to the stock car.

The MUGEN parts also cater to the interior and inject more of a sports car feel in the very futuristic - and maybe a little too eco car-oriented - cockpit. Sitting on top of the central dash area is the triplet of MUGEN gauges displaying water and oil temperatures as well as oil pressure. The short-throw 6-speed manual has been fitted with a MUGEN aluminum shift knob that offers a meatier feel, thanks to its heavier weight. The MUGEN tire pressure monitoring system and special MUGEN floor mats complete the interior lineup.

The little CR-Z is already generating massive interest within the tuning world; Ichishima-san at Spoon has created his very own demo car that's ready to hit circuit events soon. It's very exciting to see the introduction of hybrid technology on sports cars, and with the way things are going it's definitely something we can't avoid.

Specs & Details
Mugen Honda CR-Z
Engine Honda LEA 1,496cc, 4-cylinder, MF6 100V DC brushless motor assist IMA

Wheels, Tires & Brakes MUGEN GP Bronze 7JJx17" +48 (f/r), lightweight wheel nuts, Type-Sport brake pads, slotted brake discs, micromesh brake lines, brake fluid; Bridgestone RE-11 205/45ZR17 (f/r)

Numbers 113 + 13 (electric) hp, 107 + 58 (electric) ft-lbs of torque

Interior MUGEN assist meters (oil/water temp, oil pressure), i-TCMS tire pressure monitor, carbon room mirror cover, aluminium shift knob