Honda Crz Mugen

Strictly speaking the Honda CR-Z, or 'Compact Renaissance Zero', is not a new car, having made its world debut at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The model was intended to introduce new fundamentals of compact car design for the Japanese automaker.
In 2012, Honda Philippines held a 'preview' for the CR-Z compact hybrid and the 2012 Philippine International Motor Show, and finally made its market debut in August of this year. The release delay was due to the arrival of the facelifted and upgraded version of the CR-Z, and now it headlines Honda Cars Philippines, Inc.'s latest offering in the market as part of its Earth Dreams campaign for greener and more sustainable motoring .
The design of the CR-Z pays homage to the venerable CR-X hatchback sold for two generations from 1983 to 1991. Compared to the pre-facelift model, the updated CR-Z features a new front and rear bumper design as well as interior improvements. This being the Mugen version, the CR-Z gets an updated body kit compared to the pre-release show car we drove earlier this year. It features a more aggressive front apron, side skirts and a revised rear apron. The rear wing remains the same. Daytime running lights are now integrated on the fog lamp garnish instead of the front grill which looks much better. A new set of multi-spoke 17-inch wheels Mugen is also fitted in place of the "Mugen GP 'wheels found in the show car.

The sport hatchback features a very futuristic driver centric cockpit with an all black interior. The Mugen variant gets red and maroon colored accents on the door trims and seats, carbon fiber Mugen Mugen shift knob and floor mats to add to the raciness of the car. 

Under the hood is a 1.5-liter SOHC 16-valve i-VTEC engine capable of 114 PS LEA and 145 Nm of torque. The Mugen version adds a sports exhaust system to give extra oomph and a throatier exhaust note. This is aided by the Integrated Motor Assist, pumping out an extra 22 PS and 45 Nm of torque. The Philippine release features the updated IMA system which added 12 PS and 16 Nm more torque with a 144-volt Lithium battery pack. The new Plus Sport System functions like a 'push to pass' with the 'S +' button on the steering wheel to give a temporary 'power boost' for five seconds. This works when the battery is charged to at least 50% and the car is running over 30 km / h.

At the press of a button, the ECU automatically switches from car to either Eco, Normal or Sport Modes further identified by the ring light on the tachometer which changes from green, blue and red colors. The modes alter the throttle response of the drive by -Wire system and the mapping of the ECU from economical to spirited driving requirements.

On Eco mode, the car feels a bit reserved (bordering on sluggish, actually) with the car optimized for frugality rather than all-out fun; It prioritizes economy by restricting throttle response and A / C adjustments. I found it quite a bore, so I switched to Normal for a test, yielding an easy drive around the city with just the right amount of response, gearing, nimbleness, well-tuned suspension that balances handling and comfort. The transmission also has easy clutch engagement with precise short-throw shifting, making for driving in traffic more bearable despite being a manual.

Switching on Sport mode gives a livelier throttle response evidenced by a more aggressive exhaust note from the Mugen muffler and a more spirited drive. The mapping of the ECU is also adjusted accordingly along with the electric steering, making it heavier to compensate for anticipated speed and driving.

Up to our favorite mountain pass to fully enjoy the car, the CR-Z did not disappoint to say the least. It handled impeccably corners with its well-tuned suspension coupled with the Michelin Pilot Sport tires. The suspension on the stickered Mugen CR-Z Mugen 2012 was unfortunately deleted from the release version due to cost constraints. There is a slight feeling of wanting more power, but it's not necessarily slow either as the electric motor kicks in to give some extra juice.

The brakes are top notch, providing impeccable equally good pedal feel and stopping power. It also charges the lithium battery packs for your 'S +' boosts and motor assisted blasts down the straight. Of note is the pedal placement commended as in our previous reviews of the other variants; Well optimized for heel and toe like the more performance oriented Honda Civics in the past.

In terms of fuel economy, my weeklong stint consumed a little over a tankful of fuel averaging about 11km / L on the fuel computer with a mix of moderate traffic, spirited driving, and minimal highway driving.

Honda Civic (FD)

The Japanese market Civic Mugen RR (FD2) went on sale on March 30, 2007. For the first time, the JDM Civic was sold as a four door sports sedan rather than a three-door hot hatch. Using the Japanese market four-door sedan as a base model, meaning the new Mugen RR is now bigger, wider and heavier. More importantly, the wheelbase has grown from 2,570 mm (101.2 in) to 2,700 mm (106.3 in), giving the FD2R a more stable stance in high speed cornering. The new Japanese model's engine output is higher than the European version's, with 225 PS (165 kW; 222 hp) being developed at 8,400 rpm and 215 N · m (159 lb · ft) of torque peaking at 6,100 rpm (versus 201 PS (148 kW; 198 hp) at 7,800 rpm and 193 N · m (142 lb · ft) at 5,600 rpm for the European model). 

Tetsu says, "The parts for the Mugen RR are special parts for the Japanese market. Mugen is not selling any parts Mugen RR for the Civic Type-R now." This means you can not call a Mugen distributor for these parts, even if you've swapped the JDM front and rear end pieces onto your US Civic; the only way you're going to get these is if you buy the Hong Kong knock-offs or are one of the lucky 300 in Japan who can actually order one and nearly $ 50K USD. As if things could not get any worse, we should let you know now that the Mugen RR sold out in 10 minutes.

The Mugen RR gets more than a faster engine. Mugen takes what was once a mild-mannered sedan and adds on a carbon composite front bumper and grille, a lighter aluminum hood, fog lights, side skirts, a carbon rear wing, rear under spoiler with a diffuser and even rear fog lights; they even repaint it a classic favorite honda color: Milano Red. Mugen also gives you a five-way adjustable suspension, 18-inch Mugen wheels with stickier Bridgestone tires, slotted rotors, stainless brake lines and carbon cooling ducts to help cool down the front brakes. All the other factory CTR components, like Brembo brakes and limited slip differential, remain untouched. Inside, Mugen provides you with carbon Recaro reclining seats, a new shifter and shift knob, as well as a Mugen instrument panel and meter gauges. Yep, the Mugen RR is the Mugen Civic we wish honda would sell here in the States.