Honda Says No Mugen CR-Z

Brace yourself, car fans, because there’s some bad news from Honda. Top Gear recently reported that the automaker has decided not to bring the CR-Z Mugen RR Hybrid Concept to production–ever. There had been indications that the Mugen CR-Z wouldn’t go into production, but a lot of industry watchers were hoping against hope that Honda would reconsider in the face of consumer demand. Apparently, though, car enthusiasts will have to soldier on without the option of owning one of the hybrid.

Mugen serves as Honda’s official tuning arm, but it also engineers and produces unique models of its own, based on Honda vehicles. The CR-Z Mugen offers 197 horsepower, ready and rarin’ to go, and makes the trip from zero to sixty in 6.6 seconds, thanks in part to its reliance on carbon fiber. The CR-Z’s hood, fenders, doors and body tray are all made of carbon fiber; and when the vehicle is driven in Eco mode, it delivers a walloping 50 mpg.

The hybrid CR-Z, designed by Mugen’s European division, was unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this year. Although the CR-Z kept the hardware of the previous model—including the iMA electric motor and the 1.5-liter gas engine—the vehicle’s performance was increased more than 50% as it was loaded with a supercharger and lots of internal upgrades. The Mugen CR-Z not only gets about 200 horsepower, but also boasts 158.6 pound-feet of torque.

Mugen’s engineers also widened the CR-Z’s tracks and added 5-step adjustable dampers, larger brakes, and a limited-slip differential—all of which combine to improve the CR-Z’s driving dynamics. The vehicle’s charms are enhanced by a twin central-exit exhaust and vented front bumpers. The four-piston monobloc brake calipers are painted a bright and distinctive orange, and paired with 18-inch forged alloy wheels. Mugen engineers modified the exterior and the interior of the CR-Z, too.

Honda didn’t play coy; the automaker always said that they had no plans for a production model. But they indicated that they might reconsider, depending upon the customer feedback they received.

Honda decided, and the CR-Z is not to be.

Source;
http://automotivediscovery.com/honda-says-no-mugen-cr-z/9210447/

Carscoop Find; Honda CR-Z Mugen Concept Video

With development of the new Honda CR-Z Mugen concept nearing its end, the Japanese automaker decided it’s time to release the first video of the supercharged hybrid model on the road before its world premiere at the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.

The prototype CR-Z is the collaborative work of Honda UK and its in-house tuning shop Mugen Euro. The hotted-up hybrid sports car feature modifications to the 1.5-liter i-VTEC petrol engine with the addition of a supercharger as well as to the Honda IMA system.

Mugen remains tightlipped at present over output numbers, but given that the regular model delivers a combined output of 122-horsepower, the supercharged model should flirt with the 200-horsepower mark.

“Performance figures already look promising for this supercharged Honda CR-Z, as early tests with a prototype car based on a standard CR-Z and a mid-tune engine giving 0-60mph times around that of the Civic Type R,” Honda said in a statement.

The tuning firm has also stripped out 50 kg or 110 pounds from the chassis and made changes to the suspension, alloy wheel / tire combos, brake system and the car’s aerodynamics.

Source;

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/06/mugens-supercharged-honda-cr-z-hybrid.html