I was at Rockinham today as I was lucky enough to be invited to drive Mugen's CR-Z one-off prototype.

Supercharged hybrid 200 HP, 1085 kg, over 50 mpg and zero road tax.






















Sat and had lunch with Matt Neal--seems like a really nice bloke, told us some interesting stories/info.

Chris.

 

And what about the car???

Great? Fantastic? Pile of poo?? Somewhere in-between?

 

I hope it drove better than than it looks

 

 

Nice ironing board for 200bhp .....

What's the price of being cool - 40k? 50k?

 

Is it just me or does it look like the body and the chassis were not designed to be on the same car?

 

Phoenix in Stirling have a white Mugen crz in stock but I think it has the standard power pack, lot of cash for that one, looks ok but not S2k ok though.

 

I've never driven on the Rockingham circuit before so do not have a point of reference to compare the car.

Nevertheless, I was very impressed with the car. The handling was very polished and the car was very balanced. It gripped very well around the tight corners--not surprising considering the A048s and plated diff. It was a lot of fun

The brakes could not have been better--they're the same Mugen/Nissin monoblock callipers and grooved reverse bench disks as used on the M20.

Performance was on par with a K20 powered Civic Type R, which was Mugen's goal. The exhaust was very very loud, but this will be rectified in due coarse.

I admit that the car does look quite lairy--it looks a lot better in real life. I've even grown to quite like the metallic orange.

Unfortunately I'm not at liberty to discuss what price a production version of this car might cost. But to put things into context the dry carbon fibre doors cost Mugen £10k.........

If anyone is going to Goodwood the car will be on display and will be going up the hill. Mugen will also have something else even more lairy on display

Chris.

 

There is a lot of detail going on with the car, and pricing aside, that has to be a good thing to see Honda being involved with. The Recaros look too aftermarket in terms of fitment, but I like the rest of it. CF doors are impressive!

I worry about who it will appeal to though. It will be too pricey for the hot hatch sector, and too lairy for anyone middle aged with some pennies to pull off.

 

| wouldn't worry too much Mark

It wasn't the only Mugen car I drove on the day.......

Chris.