Autoblog

Report: Mugen CR-Z powertrain details come to light

Chris Shunk — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 09:40:00 EST

Mugen Honda CR-Z sketches - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Honda CR-Z is an interesting little hybrid that has mostly disappointed us with a dire need for more power if it ever hopes to live up to its promise as a sports coupe. The tuners at Mugen have promised to change all that with a souped-up version of the unique little hatch, and CAR reports the result is a 50-percent power increase via forced injection.

The British mag says the Mugen Euro will feature a supercharger mated to the standard 1.5-liter four-cylinder, which bumps the power output to 197 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. That's a far cry from the stock 113 ponies and 107 lb-ft, yet the engineers at Mugen reportedly managed to find a way sync Honda's integrated hybrid assist system. That should make for a fairly efficient little screamer, and Mugen is reportedly hoping induction and exhaust upgrades will help its hot hatch improve upon the CRZ's 38 miles per gallon. Not if you're using all 197 of those ponies on a regular basis.

Additional upgrades reported by CAR are a host of weight-saving tech including 17-inch forged Mugen GP wheels, front and rear adjustable dampers and upgraded brakes. Expected visual updates include Mugen-spec front and rear bumpers, a massive rear wing and side skirts.

When the Mugen Euro CR-Z makes its official debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, we're told to expect Type-R levels of performance. Sadly, we won't be holding our breath for a U.S. launch any time soon.

Gallery: Mugen Honda CR-Z Sketches

[Source: CAR]

Report: Mugen CR-Z powertrain details come to light originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Emissions regs to kill Honda Civic Type-R in most of Europe at end of 2010

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Honda

Honda Civic Type-R - Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda Europe has announced that sales of the Civic Type-R throughout most of the Continent will cease by the end of 2010. The 2.0-liter, 198-horsepower hatch debuted as a production model in late 2006, and in its current form the engine doesn't meet the new Euro-V emissions standards which apply throughout the European Union.

The Type-R is only produced at Honda's Swindon factory in the UK and production will continue for other markets, including Japan, where it went on sale earlier this year after production of the Type-R sedan ended. If you're in the market for that rapidly vanishing species known as the hot Honda, you'll have to move fast.

Gallery: Honda Civic Type-R

Continue reading Emissions regs to kill Honda Civic Type-R in most of Europe at end of 2010

Emissions regs to kill Honda Civic Type-R in most of Europe at end of 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Mugen planning two-seat RR-based Civic Type-R hatchback?

Chris Paukert — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Hatchback, Honda, UK, Rumormill, Specialty

Mugen Honda Civic Type-RR (JDM) - Click above for image gallery

Honda's space-egg Civic Type-R hasn't exactly managed to build the same sort of enthusiast following as its predecessor, but that hasn't stopped U.S. motorheads from fawning over its edgy three-door shape, or from carping about how we don't get one in the States. While that isn't set to change, there may soon be a new model that's really worth crying over, as EVO is reporting that renowned tuner Mugen is fixing to build an even hotter Type-R variant.

According to the UK publication, the Mugen-spec Type-R will build on the success of the Mugen RR sedan (shown), taking some of its key bits (upgraded suspension, perhaps the bigger Brembo brakes, 18-inch wheels). It will likely also inherit that car's lightweight Recaro buckets and ditch the rear seats altogether for weight savings.

EVO notes that the current Mugen RR sedan's 2.0-liter engine makes 237 bhp (versus 198 bhp from the factory), with 160 pound-feet of torque ¬- a 10% increase over a stock Type-R. The mooted three-door liftback would likely receive similar power.

In the UK's typically price-inflated market, EVO reckons the Mugen CTR will probably cost more than £35,000 - a gobsmacking $58,000.

Gallery: Honda Civic Mugen RR (JDM)

Gallery: Honda Civic Type R hatchback (EU)

[Source: EVO]

Rumormill: Mugen planning two-seat RR-based Civic Type-R hatchback? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MUGEN accessorizes your wall

Alex Nunez — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:32:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Japan, Honda, Lifestyle

Click image to enlarge

So you settled for the USDM, factory-built Honda Civic MUGEN Si because: a.) you don't live in Japan and b.) even if you did, you probably wouldn't have gotten your filthy mitts on a limited-edition MUGEN RR anyway. However, if you're still looking to get yourself something related to the RR, you're in luck. MUGEN has found another way to ~~vacuum up fanboy dollars~~ appeal to its enthusiast customers by offering up original artwork. First up in "The Art of MUGEN Power" series is "The Art, MUGEN RR", a 300-piece limited-edition print that shows the car in cutaway form. ¥39,000 ($368) puts one on your wall. Want a numbered plate for the frame? Tack on another ¥2,100 ($19.80). It's art a la carte, courtesy of MUGEN. The company website has all the details (in Japanese, natch -- the English pages are perpetually "under the construction").

[Source: MUGEN Power]

MUGEN accessorizes your wall originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda UK releases e-zine version of 'dream' customer rag

Erin Mays — Mon, 21 May 2007 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Motorsports, Convertible, Coupe, Budget, Hybrid, Minivan/Van, SUV, Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Hatchback, Honda

Honda has released an electronic version of its popular customer rag, dream. The pretty pictures and interesting articles are still there, but the fun begins when one delves into the interactive sidebars, chock-full of formula one cars, British scientific expeditions to Antarctica, and even a special appearance by an ASIMO. Thanks to the online functionality of the magazine, interactive features, including movies, sound bytes and virtual tours, abound.

The pilot of the magazine went out in January 2007, and Honda reports that readership was high, and a whopping 25 percent of readers provided feedback.

Features of this edition include:

Living at -80°C with the British Antarctic Survey and Honda's All Terrain Vehicles
Jenson Button's test drive of the new Civic Type-R
Review of the FR-V in Copenhagen
Built to Move - getting from A to B with innovation in the 21st century.

360 degree photorealistic views of the Honda Family as it is available in the UK brightens up the standard vehicle lineup page, as well. Check out the full press release after the jump.

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Honda UK releases e-zine version of 'dream' customer rag

Honda UK releases e-zine version of 'dream' customer rag originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 May 2007 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yes, already: Mugen does up the new JDM Civic Type-R

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:54:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Japan, Honda

Way back yesterday, we brought you the official information about Honda's new JDM Civic Type-R. Not a day later and Mugen, the motorsports arm founded by Hirotoshi Honda, son of Honda Motor Company found Soichiro Honda, has released 16 different performance parts, from aero kits to upgraded brakes.

On the outside, a Mugen modified CTR will come equipped with a vented hood, redesigned grill, front spoiler, rear diffuser and trunk mounted wing. Under the hood, tuners can nix the stock intake box with a new high flow unit, along with a less restrictive air filter and sports exhaust.

Two brake pad compounds are available, as are new rotors, "Micromesh" brake lines, a sports suspension (no details yet) and 18x7.5-inch aluminum wheels.

We'd expect more information to come out soon, but in the meantime, head on over to Nihon Car and Bike to check out all the new bits installed on Honda's newest hotness.

[Source: Nihon Car and Bike]

Yes, already: Mugen does up the new JDM Civic Type-R originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Winding Road gets seat time in the JAS CTR

Damon Lavrinc — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 11:40:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Hatchback, Honda

As 2006 drew to a close, a few details and pictures about JAS Motorsport's race-prepped Civic Type-R hit the web. Little was known at the time about what modifications had been made to the Euro hatch to ready it for an assault on the world's race tracks, but our fortunate friends over at Winding Road were able to get some seat time while the CTR underwent testing on the Autodromo do Estoril circuit in Portugal.

Unfortunately, we'll have to wait for a full rundown of Matt Davis' time in the hot seat, but until then, we'll direct you to the video, posted after the jump, to see what well a sorted FWD racer is capable of.

[Source: Winding Road]

Continue reading Winding Road gets seat time in the JAS CTR

Winding Road gets seat time in the JAS CTR originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Feb 2007 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Honda Civic Type-R

Stuart Waterman — Fri, 19 May 2006 13:45:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hatchback, Honda

World Car Fans has a gallery of new spy photos of Honda Motor's Euro-Civic hatchback, apparently in Type-R trim. The lightly disguised Civic looks like it should be a worthy competitor in the european market's hot hatch wars.

Although WCF reports that all models of the new hatch will get sportier suspension tuning than the sedan, the real fun is reserved for the Type-R, which gets a 197 hp 2-liter engine - good for a 0-100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds.

The Civic hatchback hits U.K. showrooms this summer, after its debut at the British Motor Show. The Type-R should appear next year. Follow the link for lots more photos!

[Source: World Car Fans] Thanks for the tip, Ebm14!

Spy Shots: Honda Civic Type-R originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 May 2006 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Screaming Yellow Zonker: Honda Civic Type-R breaks cover before Geneva debut

Chris Paukert — Fri, 24 Feb 2006 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Coupe, Geneva Motor Show

Perhaps figuring that they'd need a very dark sheet indeed to conceal the searing yellow paint on their latest Civic Type-R Concept, some Honda press images have apparently snuck out in advance of the car's debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week.

While officially just a concept, the hot hatch is likely a sincere indicator of the 2007 CTR, which (as ever) isn't slated for U.S. consumption. The showcar is allegedly powered by the same 197-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder that motivates the current Type-R, though it isn't known for sure whether the production version will be a carryover piece as well.

In light of the escalating small arms race taking place among hot hatches around the globe, it would be rather surprising if Honda failed to make any major improvements to the CTR's power supply. That said, if this word is indeed accurate, consider it more grist for the rumor mill clamoring about an even hotter Civic Type-RR.

Honda of Europe President and CEO Takeo Fukui will introduce the car with a little help from Jenson Button, one of Honda's most popular Formula One drivers.

[Source: Eurocarblog.com]

Screaming Yellow Zonker: Honda Civic Type-R breaks cover before Geneva debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Feb 2006 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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