When: June 2011
Where: Rockingham, England
What: Prototype Honda CR-Z Mugen
Occasion: First drive
Overall rating: 4/5
Honda's sporting hybrid might promise economy mixed with enjoyment, but it has taken Mugen's input - and a supercharger - to produce Type-R levels of entertainment. The CR-Z Mugen is a one-off, for now, but if Honda gets enough interest it might just build it.
Pricing: Not in production as yet
Engine: 1.5-litre petrol engine, Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) with Mugen iCF system
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: two-door coupé
Rivals: Renaultsport Clio Cup, Opel Corsa OPC, MINI John Cooper Works
0-100km/h: 6.6 seconds (estimated)
Power: 202hp at 6,300rpm
Torque: 214Nm at 5,500rpm
In the metal 4/5
The CR-Z's a smart enough looking coupé in standard guise and the Mugen styling add-ons do little to enhance it. Indeed, if anything they detract from the standard car's look; the huge rear wing and busy front spoiler and side skirts upset an otherwise neat shape.
It's all about taste though, and while the Mugen add-ons aren't perhaps to ours, the work is impressive, as are details like the carbon-fibre doors and bonnet - helping the CR-Z Mugen drop 50kg from its kerb weight. A significant 31kg of that comes from the doors alone, while the bonnet saves a further 6kg. Inside, there are no rear seats and there are a few more Mugen badges and dials to differentiate this version.
Driving it 4/5
Get in, pull the featherweight door shut and start it up and it's evident immediately that this Honda CR-Z is something entirely different from the standard car. The huge exhaust fills the cabin with a sound that's quite unexpected from a 1.5-litre four-cylinder unit. Just as surprisingly, the CR-Z's hybrid system is retained. Mugen's people admitted that the low-rev response and assistance it gives far outweighs the weight penalty.
Despite power upped to 202hp, pulling away is easy, though the hard-worked clutch does feel like it's had a tough time at Rockingham Raceway. The gears engage quickly and easily enough, and the CR-Z Mugen feels like a mini touring car to drive. The suspension has been tweaked extensively and it feels like it could do with further finessing; the front offers loads of grip, but too great a self centring effect on the steering wheel for road work.
Mugen's people confirm that's probably down to the tyres as much as anything else: they're road legal, but track-biased. The front feels a bit soft too, with a fair bit of roll on turn in. There's nothing that couldn't be sorted out with a bit more time to adjust and test it, though the real event here is the engine.
Delivery is strong throughout the entire rev-range, though it's at its most potent in the upper portion of the tachometer needle's sweep. The result is a surprisingly easy car to drive, it feeling very dual natured with easy docility at day-to-day speeds and more entertaining performance when you've a track at your disposal. There's no quoted combined economy figure, but Mugen's Colin Whittamore suggests 5.6 litres/100km (50mpg) is possible, though admits you'll have to be trying hard - and why bother?
What you get for your money 2/5
This car is very much a one-off so the figures associated with it is mind boggling. You could have a Ferrari for the money it has cost to develop. If there is enough interest then the Mugen parts could be made available to customers - the body styling kit already is.
Worth Noting
The supercharger in the CR-Z Mugen is driven by traction oil rather than a chain or belt. It's the supercharger that's helped double the power. The IMA hybrid system remains unchanged, adding around 15hp and 77Nm to the output. Mugen reckons it could add more assistance from the IMA system.
Summary
The Mugen CR-Z is a one-off engineering exercise that, if interest is great enough, might be offered in some limited production capacity. It's an odd mix, creating a car that offers Civic Type-R performance with 5.6 litres/100km consumption. Pricing is likely to keep it out of reach for the masses, but if you're loaded and like performance Hondas then Mugen may be able to build you one.
Overall rating: (4) Overview: Honda’s sporting hybrid might promise economy mixed with enjoyment, but it has taken Mugen’s input - and a supercharger - to produce Type-R levels of entertainment. The CR-Z Mugen is a one-off, for now, but if Honda gets enough interest it might just build it.