Honda Reveals the CR-Z MUGEN

For once, the hype and the rumors surrounding a car or project proved to be is as cool as it sounded, as Honda has revealed the first pics of the MUGEN version of the CR-Z hybrid. Unfortunately, the project is ongoing, so we can’t tell you to much about it, but the first tests have shown a lot of promise, especially from the performance point of view... as well as fuel consumption. We would have gotten away with perfection, were it not for those tree-hugging kids and their dog.

Early tests with a prototype car based on a standard CR-Z and a mid-tune engine have resulted in 0-60mph (0-98 km/h) times around that of the Civic Type R, thanks in part to the magic of supercharging. That’s all that Honda said, so we had to digg deeper to find out that translates to an acceleration in the mid six-second range.

MUGEN say they’ve achieved this by adding an extra 15 percent under the bonnet compared to the ‘stage 1’ level of tune. Despite the big wing on the back, the car has also shed some 50 kilograms (110 lbs).

Unfortunately, the performance division has turned into a bit green, so the Honda press release also talks about fuel consumption. Truth be told, we are impressed, but we just can't bring ourselves to talk about mpg when we see that big wing and the orange paintwork.

"Early fuel consumption tests have also been encouraging," says Colin Whittamore from MUGEN Euro. "We've retained the three driving modes from the standard car and economy ranges from 50+mpg in 'eco' mode to mid-30 mpg when tapping into the supercharged power in a special 'MUGEN' mode."