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The AutoGuide News Blog is your source for breaking stories from the auto industry. Delivering news immediately, the AutoGuide Blog is constantly updated with the latest information, photos and video from manufacturers, auto shows, the aftermarket and professional racing.

02/08/2011 | By: Jason Siu

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This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Mugen’s hot CR-Z RR Concept, but more photos have been released and there’s no reason not to share. Unfortunately, there are still no plans to releasing any of the parts or the vehicle and this version of Honda‘s sporty hybrid will remain a show car. Produced by M-TEC in Japan, the Concept shows off Mugen’s abilities to customize the function, style, performance and agility of the hybrid CR-Z.

Much of the CR-Z RR Concept consists of replacement carbon fiber body panels, including the hood, doors and rear hatch. The entire underbody also features carbon fiber while a twin exhaust shoots out the rear’s center. The suspension has been thoroughly tuned for race use while the orange 4-piston monobloc brakes may be overkill for the hybrid, but look great on the car and is consistent with its theme. Contrasting the Valencia Orange Pearl paint are black 18-inch wheels.

On the inside, the CR-Z RR Concept gets Mugen-branded leather/Alcantara seats and features a race-developed information screen that can gather data from the chassis and engine. Through the use of its satellite GPS, the system can monitor the car over two laps to learn a track after which it’ll record lap data and vehicle tracking.

GALLERY: Mugen Honda CR-Z RR

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18/05/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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To coincide with the launch of the new IS250 C and IS350 C hard-top convertibles, Lexus is releasing a line of F-Sport performance parts for both models. Manufactured in-house by Toyota’s performance parts division TRD (Toyota Racing Development) the parts are essentially the same as those already offered for the sedan models.

While there aren’t any big power adders (sorry, no TRD supercharger here), the F-Sport line does include a new exhaust system as well as an air intake. Making the driving experience that much more riveting is an F-Sport clutch and short shifter (for the IS250 C with the six-speed manual transmission).

Upgrading the car’s overall driving dynamics are a set of lowering springs (which reduce ride height by one inch) as well as a set of specially tuned Bilstein shocks. And to add some more rigidity to the chassis of these convertible models is a rear chassis brace as well as larger front and rear sway bars.

A set of 19-inch wheels not only improved the look of the car but allows for some wider 225/35/19 front and 255/35/19 rear tires. F-Sport offers a big brake upgrade with six-piston front rotors and four-piston rear calipers with 14- and 13.6-inch rotors respectively. And for extreme cases a carbon ceramic set is also available.

Other highlights in the F-Sport lineup include an aero kit, spoiler, carbon fiber engine cover and an F-Sport shift knob.

See a full list of the parts available after the jump and see our review of the IS350 F-Sport (with pricing on parts) here:

IS350 F-Sport Review

GALLERY: Lexus IS350 C F-Sport

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