Unleashing the Power: The CR-Z Mugen Transformation

CR-Z MUGEN! When it first hit the market, the Honda CR-Z became an overnight sensation in Japan, selling out immediately, and for months after its launch, the demand far exceeded the supply. However, this wasn't the case in America, where the car received a lukewarm reception. For the average American, the concept of a sporty hybrid didn't quite resonate. But for enthusiasts, there was one persistent complaint—not enough power. And it's for those power-hungry naysayers that Mugen says, "Take another look at the CR-Z, then say it to the CR-Z RR."

The CR-Z Mugen style promises more allure and power to satisfy the cravings of performance enthusiasts. Mugen has introduced significant changes to the CR-Z, making it more enticing and ready to deliver an unforgettable driving experience. So, if you ever doubted the CR-Z's capabilities, it's time to give this impressive RR version a second chance.

 

If history teaches us anything, it's that whenever Mugen adorns a vehicle with their double-R badge, you can be certain it's going to be incredibly impressive, not to mention quite costly. The most recent addition to the RR lineage was actually conceived by Mugen's UK division and made its debut at England's renowned Goodwood Festival of Speed. This car delivered a substantial increase in power courtesy of a supercharger, and it perfectly complemented this newfound power with a body kit that drew inspiration directly from the Super GT, all adorned with a striking metallic orange paint job.

 

While all the technical details and reasoning behind it were certainly interesting, what enthusiasts truly cared about was whether they would have the chance to own one. At the time, the CR-Z RR was still just a concept vehicle—an exercise, as Mugen claimed, to explore new technologies. At that point, it seemed that the majority of the tuning industry, myself included, assumed that the CR-Z RR would follow in the footsteps of its NSX RR cousin, ending up in the permanently extinct category. It wasn't until the Tokyo Auto Salon this year that our emotions were once again stirred by the sight of the second CR-Z RR, dubbed the "pre-production model."

The green car featured on these pages happens to be the first example of what Mugen hopes will become a stylish road-ready package. Surprisingly, on the exterior, the majority of the aggressive body kit remains largely unchanged, with only a few minor alterations, mostly towards the rear bumper. The dry carbon front splitter, side splitters, rear diffuser, and underbody panel all remain, as do the dry carbon hood, doors, tailgate, and wing. The custom forged wheels and 4-pot calipers also stay in place. In fact, at a quick glance, the main thing that is missing from the original exterior are the rear flares.

 

Inside the cockpit, the similarities between the two versions continue with matching carbon fiber trim pieces and color-coordinated accent stitching and gauge lighting present in both models. Additional signature Mugen items like their stylish pedal kit and sport floor mats are also part of the package. The most notable difference between the original concept and the pre-production version is the seats. They have been upgraded from reupholstered factory versions in the orange car to custom Mugen edition Recaro carbon bucket seats, which, according to Mugen, create a more comfortable driving environment. Another significant interior change is the shift knob, which has been replaced from a color-matched aluminum unit to a carbon one with a matching pin stripe.

Undoubtedly, the burning question on everyone's mind is, "What happened to the supercharger?" Fear not, Mugen enthusiasts, the boosted setup is here to stay and comes with full dry carbon intake ducting, an intercooler, and a striking center-exit exhaust system. If that's not enough, consider that Mugen has also adjusted the gearing for improved acceleration and added a top-of-the-line mechanical limited-slip differential. With the power bumped up to 190hp and 209lb-ft of torque, this is certainly not your average CR-Z, and Mugen has proven it by shaving off 5.8 seconds from the lap time of the standard CR-Z at Tsukuba Circuit.

So, if you're eagerly anticipating this, two questions still linger: Will it be available in the US, and what will it cost? At the time of writing, Mugen is seriously considering bringing the CR-Z RR to the US market and offering it for purchase online as a complete vehicle with a full factory warranty. However, due to exchange rates and the cost of high-end materials (keep in mind that most of the car is now dry carbon), the price tag may place it in the realm of fairly serious sports cars. Whether or not it can compete in the US market remains uncertain, but many enthusiasts are hoping that at least some examples will make their way across the ocean. Only time will tell.