Mugen Honda Civic Type-R confirmed for Euro consumption
Mugen Honda Civic Type-R - Click above for high-res image gallery
Earlier this summer, we caught whiffs of rumormill pandering that Mugen was planning to launch a high-performance version of Honda's Civic Type-R. Those rumors are now facts as the well-known tuning firm has just announced that the Ultimate Civic Type-R is headed to a European country near you for a pocketbook-stretching £38,599 (that's $64,000 at current exchange rates, not that it matters).
Included for that whopper of a bottom line is a horsepower boost to 237 from the stocker's 198 along with a welcome 10-percent torque improvement across the rev range. New pistons, camshafts, intake manifold, and a stainless exhaust system are responsible for the added ponies while a completely revised suspension system with limited-slip differential take care of the handling mods.
Rounding out the package are a bespoke bodykit with a monster wing out back and forged alloy wheels capping four-piston mono-block racing brake calipers. Want one? Better get all your ducks in a row in short order – Mugen is only planning on building 20 Ultimate Civic Type-R hatchbacks. Hit the jump for the official press release.
Gallery: Mugen Honda Civic Type-R
[Source: Honda]
PRESS RELEASE
MUGEN EURO CONFIRMS PRODUCTION OF ULTIMATE CIVIC TYPE R
MUGEN Euro has confirmed a limited production run of the Civic Type R MUGEN, following huge interest in the concept version from the UK and overseas.
An exclusive run of up to 20 cars will be hand-built in the UK by MUGEN, the long-standing tuner of Honda engines for motor racing. Production of the road-legal super hatch will take place at MUGEN Euro, based in Northampton – with customers receiving a unique, involved experience during the build process of each car.
Using over 20 years of experience and engineering expertise gained at the forefront of global motorsport, engineers from MUGEN in Japan and Europe analysed every component of the Swindon-built 3-door Civic Type R – before developing one of the quickest normally-aspirated front drive cars in the world.
"Each Type R MUGEN will be an exclusive, hand-built race car for the road," says Hiroki Toyoda, Vice President of MUGEN EURO. "When we launched the Civic Type RR saloon in Japan, we sold out of all 300 units in just six minutes. Given the interest we have already had from car enthusiasts in the UK and abroad, we hope to repeat that achievement."
Race engine for the road
The 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine is the first to reap the benefits of MUGEN's time in Formula 1 and GT racing, as well as hundreds of development hours and testing time with the Honda K20A engine on the world-class MUGEN engine dyno. New camshafts and a modified intake system increase power by 20 per cent to 240PS, and boost torque by 10 per cent throughout the rev range. A change of pistons also helps by increasing the compression ratio, and breathing is enhanced by fitting a custom stainless steel exhaust system and MUGEN airbox. Meanwhile, a bespoke MUGEN map for the ECU allows the engine to take full advantage of the modifications.
"MUGEN engineers pay incredible attention to detail, often measuring to one thousandth of a millimetre when tuning and rebuilding an engine, and this process typically takes approximately seven days of work," says Hiroki Toyoda.
"When our engineers aren't building customer engines, they are at circuits with top level race and rally teams helping to manage and prepare race engines. We are very proud to bring our motorsport experience to the road with this high performance Honda engine, the very first time that a MUGEN-tuned engine has ever been offered for use on the road in the UK."
The extra power of the tuned engine is transferred to road or track via a limited slip differential, and grip and handling are also significantly improved through a completely revised suspension set-up, with custom-made springs and dampers employed.
Improving the stopping power are bespoke four-piston mono-block racing brake callipers, which sit under high-density, lightweight forged alloy wheels. These weigh just 7.85kg each (32 per cent less than the production wheel), contributing to a significant reduction in unsprung weight.
Integrated style
MUGEN was keen to amend the already-aggressive original styling of the Civic Type R with modifications that are integrated. A large wing adorns the back of the car, and plays a role in increasing downforce at speed, to improve stability. Other measures to improve the car's overall aero efficiency include replacing front and rear skirts with high-quality composite items. At the front, a new grille wearing the MUGEN emblem enhances the nose.
Every Civic Type R MUGEN will be painted in Honda's famous Championship White – the traditional racing colour of the brand, in which its first Formula 1 car was painted back in 1964. To authenticate the car's exclusivity each will wear a special badge inside on the centre console, listing the serial number of each unique model.
To make the ultimate Type R even more extreme, particularly for circuit use, MUGEN is offering an optional 'Track Pack'. This package includes front Recaro seats, removal of the rear seat bench with a composite blanking panel fitted to reduce weight, water and oil temperature/pressure gauges, data recording equipment, and track-ready road-legal tyres.
Concept development
While early engineering and development was carried out by MUGEN in Japan, a considerable amount of time has been spent honing the car for UK conditions. Engineers from the UK and Japan carried out 36 hours of suspension testing on 2200km of British roads during September, to further tune the set-up. In addition, MUGEN's engine specialists adjusted ECU mapping and throttle response – and a new exhaust system was fitted to improve resonance. Plus, the team worked on brake feel, seeing a 30 per cent improvement after three days of testing.
The production model has also benefitted from feedback gathered from UK media, and Type R enthusiasts in the UK. This information was fed into the development process and helped decide the final spec of the 20 production units.
Price confirmed
MUGEN Euro has set the price for the Honda Civic Type R MUGEN at £38,599 OTR.
This price includes an unparalleled purchasing experience, which involves direct contact with MUGEN engineers throughout the car's build. This will be a package tailored to individual customers – similar to the service offered when buying a racing car. Each of the Type Rs will be built to the customer's exact specification, including their choice of options. Even ECU mapping can be adjusted to suit specific customer tastes or driving style.
The price also takes into account MUGEN racing engine building expertise and heritage. Put it into context, MUGEN would typically charge around £165,000 + VAT for a full racing Type R, with the engine costing about 10 per cent of this price. Only a select few have had the chance to sit behind the wheel of a Honda-MUGEN, and even fewer have owned one, so this is an extremely unique opportunity.
For more information, customers can call the dedicated customer service line: 0845 200 8007, or visit: www.typermugen.co.uk.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
jits14 3:39PM (10/23/2009)
I would like to know how revised the torsion beam suspension in the rear is from the type-r since that was its greatest drawback from the EP model. Its still a honda fit under that skin.
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David 3:42PM (10/23/2009)
Needs more wing! Looks like it is ready for BTCC
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Citizen Chin 3:50PM (10/23/2009)
This is one of those cars that I'd be satisfied driving in Gran Turismo. And speaking of Civics, isn't almost time for Honda to introduce a completely redesigned model?
http://escapefromjersey.blogspot.com/
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Aki 3:52PM (10/23/2009)
Before the posts come streaming in, you can't simply convert GBP to USD for car prices, because prices there in general are 25-50% higher than equivalent cars in the US.
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tankd0g 4:14PM (10/23/2009)
Also, that model isn't even available here so what's to compare?
Aki 4:16PM (10/23/2009)
Nothing really. But I tire of posts that look at the GBP price and go "zomgz that's so expensive!"
Not that it wouldn't be exorbitantly expensive were it to come out here, but figured a preemptive post was in order =)
PJ 4:42PM (10/23/2009)
The wing is silly, but I still want one. I'll never understand why Honda didn't bring the CivicType-R to the US and cash in on the near-legendary reputation it had among youth from the late-'90s-mid-'00s. No amount of marketing can create that kind of enthusiasm, and now it's mostly fizzled.
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Fazzster 4:09PM (10/23/2009)
My Mazdaspeed3 makes 265 hp / 280 ft/lb torque.....I am just saying..
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Tourian 4:03PM (10/23/2009)
And my Evo listed for $34K. I'm just sayin'....
Franz 4:07PM (10/23/2009)
Comparing a naturally aspirated 2 liter four banger to a turbocharged 2.3 liter one... hmmm... doesn't really seem sensible to me. Not a fan of this particular Civic, but I'm just saying...
tankd0g 4:15PM (10/23/2009)
Ya, who would compare similarly priced 4 cylinder hot hatches, that's just retarded.
Franz 5:01PM (10/23/2009)
Similarly priced?
LesPaul1 5:41PM (10/23/2009)
It never ceases to amaze me the comments people make. First of all Franz is right, you can't compare the cars, completely different animals. Secondly.. I'm pretty sure honda can build a cheaper, faster, turbo charged car than the mitsu evolution. I don't know how much AWD tech honda can develop with R&D but a civic si with a supercharger can smoke evos in a straight and at high speed runs. while costing $10,000 less including aftermarket parts and ecu reflash.
Franz 5:57PM (10/23/2009)
Thank you, LesPaul1. You can't even compare them on price, because the Civic is a UK only affair & we already know that direct currency translations are ridiculous & invalid in instances such as these. Second, the Mugen Civic is basically a hand built fwd race car for the street, put together by the same technicians & engineers who used to be responsible for pretty much all of Honda's racing mills (including F1). Did you guys bother to read the press release?
"This price includes an unparalleled purchasing experience, which involves direct contact with MUGEN engineers throughout the car's build. This will be a package tailored to individual customers – similar to the service offered when buying a racing car. Each of the Type Rs will be built to the customer's exact specification, including their choice of options. Even ECU mapping can be adjusted to suit specific customer tastes or driving style.
The price also takes into account MUGEN racing engine building expertise and heritage. Put it into context, MUGEN would typically charge around £165,000 + VAT for a full racing Type R, with the engine costing about 10 per cent of this price. Only a select few have had the chance to sit behind the wheel of a Honda-MUGEN, and even fewer have owned one, so this is an extremely unique opportunity."
Let's pretend for a second here that we're actually grown up car enthusiasts, and not some pimply faced, magazine reading bench racers. Horsepower & torque numbers aren't the end all... especially when you factor in weight. The Mazdaspeed 3 weighs pretty close to 3200lbs. The Civic doesn't even reach 2800lbs. And that's just scratching the surface with the numbers. We don't know which one stops or handles better... and don't get me started on the million other subjective reasons. They may both be hot hatches, but citing the power & torque advantage of a higher displacement forced induction motor to a naturally aspirated one is silly no matter how you slice it. And seriously, some of you guys need to stop knocking other people's choices just because they're different to yours. We are never the standard by which everyone else should be judged. That's kinda like sitting in Subway eating a sandwich and laughing at the poor schmucks who bought a burger or some chicken for their $5... after all, I prefer a sub & they're all food so It's smart to ridicule other people's choices and make direct comparisons, right?
Tourian 9:25AM (10/24/2009)
@LesPaul
And an Evo with a reflash, TBE and I/C piping can smoke that modded Civic in the straights and on high speed runs. Comparing modded cars to stock cars is pointless.
Assuming that Honda can build a better FWD turbo then a Mazda 3 or a better AWD turbo then an Evo just because they're Honda is also just pointless fanboy internet trash talk. When they actually build one then we'll talk.
Farmboy 4:13PM (10/23/2009)
Umm....the Europeans can keep that one...thanks.
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FitFan 7:48PM (10/23/2009)
I agree. I've drooled over previous Type-R Civics, but this just ugly.
jv2k 4:13PM (10/23/2009)
Big ass spoiler + Hatchback = retarded
The whole point of a hot hatch is it's practical and fun, you can't even see out of the back of that damn thing.
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MemphisNET 4:20PM (10/23/2009)
Wow... you gotta really love Civic's to drop 60'ish grand on one. I thought those buying 30kCND Si's were insane...
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NSCANDriver 4:23PM (10/23/2009)
I hate FWD cars with huge *ss wings
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