Mugen CR-Z Makes Video Debut
With the first photos of the Mugen-tuned CR-Z hitting the net a few weeks ago, the European division of the famed Honda tuner has now released a short video profiling the concept car.
While it doesn’t have the K24 many a Honda fanboy had been begging for, its powerplant might just be better, with a supercharged version of the 1.5-liter 4-cylinder that retains the factory Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system. The result is 200-hp and 181 lb-ft of torque in a package that now weighs 110 lbs less than the showroom CR-Z thanks to modifications like light Mugen alloy wheels and a carbon fiber hood.
Mugen claims a 0-60 mph time of around 6.0 seconds, although this car’s real forte should be in the handling department with plenty of suspension upgrades, not to mention some more impressive brakes.
Continuing to use the 3-mode hybrid drive system, the Mugen version of the CR-Z will reportedly match the stock car’s fuel economy in ECON mode, while a special “Mugen mode” gives full power.
A one-off, the Mugen CR-Z will debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. There is a strong possibility Mugen will offer many of the parts on this car for retail sale in the near future.
GALLERY: Mugen CR-Z
With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.
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CR-Z with Mugen add-on's just cost way too much. For the same amount of money a much faster car can be had. Only a hardcore CR-Z fan will go crazy with Mugen parts. The CR-Z needs bigger engine with much more power, until then the CR-Z wont be turning heads too often.