Before it will be sent for further testing to Mugen's Northamptonshire European base, the Japanese tuning division welcomed on Motegi's south circuit test facility, in an exclusive first look, the guys from pistonheads.com and together set out to test the car.
Mugen hopes to place the specially made Civic FN2 Type R in the top of the super-hatch territory, alongside rivals like the Renault Megane R26 R and the Ford Focus RS.
Form a first look anybody can tell the Mugen Type R means business. The source confirmed the body kit doesn't just look menacing, but was also carefully engineered to improve the car's aerodynamic and cooling characteristics. The two scoops on the front hood shows the car is announcing itself as quite the competitor.
The car has been lowered by 5 mm and its track was widened by 10 mm. Pistonheads also reported a modification to the springs and dampers for improved handling and stability.
Under the hood the Civic Type R Mugen has a F20A 2.0 liter VTEC engine, which outputs 237 bhp. The engine is said to be the same as the JDM Civic Mugen RR special edition from 2007. The torque is mentioned to have increased too, displaying now a “healthy” 162 lb-ft (219 Nm). The Civic Type R Mugen Concept will also benefit from a new torsen limited-slip differential, in order to take optimum advantage of the engine's uprated power.
Without giving us anymore details, the lucky guys from pistonheads.com, who had the opportunity to see the concept before all the other Westerners, assured us the car is as good as it looks and has been expected of it.
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