Video: Honda CR-Z Mugen in action

First photos of Honda CR-Z Mugen concept

Honda CR-Z Mugen concept (2011): first photos | Car Magazine Online

More details about Honda CR-Z Mugen

As already reported almost one month ago, not only Honda is working on a spicy CR-Z, but apparently Mugen is doing the same. The Mugen version is being developed purely as a one-off prototype and it will deliver around 197bhp and 181lb ft of torque!!! Mugen is actually using a supercharger to deliver the extra power, and the internals of the 1.5L four-cylinder petrol engine have been upgraded.

‘The idea was to use the significant advantage of the early torque provided by the Honda IMA electric motor, then increase the torque available from the petrol engine gradually, to first maintain and then increase this,’ says Mugen Euro’s project manager Colin Whittamore. ‘A supercharger and complementary electronics allow us to very neatly map the IMA to the extra power and torque of the engine in a unique package, giving a smooth, integrated and powerful driving experience.’

The impressive bit is the fact that Mugen may actually be able to improve on the standard CR-Z’s 56.5mpg and 117g/km CO2. Of course, and top of the list are front and rear five-stage adjustable dampers. There’s an increase in track width too, lightweight 17in forged Mugen GP alloys to reduce unsprung mass, and bigger brakes with four-pot monobloc calipers. There’s also a full visual upgrade, including Mugen-spec front and rear bumpers, a particularly large rear wing and some side skirts. And finally, Mugen is promising a ‘large reduction in overall weight’ so reckon on the removal of the back seats and a carbonfibre bonnet to cover that supercharged engine.

[Source: CAR magazine]

Mugen readies CR-Z prototype

Honda is working on a spicy CR-Z, but apparently Mugen is doing the same. Well, according to Mugen, "at this stage, the CR-Z Mugen is being developed purely as a one-off prototype, with no plans for a production version". The prototype is expected to have a Type R-like performance and it should make its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.

First photos of Mugen Fit Shuttle

The Fit Shuttle will be launched next month and already the first photos showing the Mugen bits and pieces have leaked. The Mugen Fit Shuttle is expected to be officially revealed one month later.

[Source: 頑張れ！ 三菱自動車 応援ブログと株日記]

Detailed info about Ariel Atom Mugen

The Ariel Atom Mugen (earlier post) was unveiled at the 2011 British Autosport Show and it's a special edition for the celebration of Ariel's 10th anniversary. Ariel, that has built 1,000 Atoms, will build just 10 of those special ones powered by the Honda K20Z Type R engine.

According to the press release, each Atom Mugen engine is stripped, measured and fully blueprinted at Mugen Europe’s Northampton headquarters. The engines are reassembled with high performance, higher compression pistons, high lift camshafts and new valve springs. A longer freeflow inlet manifold is fitted with a bigger diameter throttle body together with race grade spark plugs.  The engine also features a full baffled sump and is finished with a carbon fibre Mugen cover. 

After assembly, each engine is tested on the Mugen dynamometer and carefully run in prior to full power test. After 7 days of work on every engine they are bore scoped and inspected prior to sign off. A lightened balanced flywheel is fitted together with a limited slip differential to the close ratio Honda 6 speed gearbox prior to installation in the Atom.

More info and photos after the jump!

Ariel Atom tuned by Mugen is coming!!!

Ariel's super fast Atom is well known, but now it's coming tuned by Mugen (無限)!!! The Mugen version, which is coming out to celebrate the model's 10th anniversary, is going to be powered by a Mugen-tuned Honda K20Z Type R engine, an engine that has been used in regular Atoms since 2007. Power will be increased by 25 hp and total output will be 270 hp!

Only 10 cars will be built, each featuring a special livery and a numbered plate signed by the Mugen and Ariel technicians responsible for its build. The Ariel Atom Mugen will be shown at the Autosport show in January, when full prices and final spec will be announced.

[Source: Autocar]

Mugen introduces new parts for refreshed Fit

Following the launch of the refreshed Fit (earlier post), Mugen released also new styling kits dedicated to each model, including the Hybrid and RS models.

Latest scale model arrivals

During the last few weeks, the following models have been arrived from Japan:

• Honda Civic Type R FD2 (2007) in Championship White by Ebbro

• Honda Civic Type R FD2 (2007) in Crystal Black Pearl by Ebbro

• Honda Civic Mugen RR FD2 (2007) in Red by Ebbro

• Honda Civic Type R FN2 JDM in Championship White by Ebbro

• Nissan GT-R R34 V-SPEC II (2000) in White Pearl by Ebbro

• Nissan GT-R R35 V-SPEC (2009) in White Pearl by Ebbro

• Toyota Supra RZ (1996) in Gungray by Ebbro