Honda Civic Type R MUGEN: Confirmed

Jay Williams - 27/October/2009

Northampton, England - Honda’s tuning arm, MUGEN, has released details of a limited production run of the Civic Type R MUGEN. After showing huge interest in the concept version from the UK and overseas.

When we say 'limited' we really mean it, only 20 cars will be hand-built in the UK by MUGEN.

"Each Type R MUGEN will be an exclusive, hand-built race car for the road," says Hiroki Toyoda, Vice President of MUGEN EURO.

"When we launched the Civic Type RR saloon in Japan, we sold out of all 300 units in just six minutes. Given the interest we have already had from car enthusiasts in the UK and abroad, we hope to repeat that achievement."

MUGEN has been tuning Honda engines for motor racing since the 70's. And now MUGEN engineers have refined the 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine to increase power by 20 per cent to 179kW and boost torque by more than 10 per cent throughout the rev range.

The people over at MUGEN have installed new camshafts and pistons which increase compression ratios, as well as a modified intake system and custom steel exhaust system for better air-flow.

“MUGEN engineers pay incredible attention to detail, often measuring to one thousandth of a millimetre when tuning and rebuilding an engine, and this process typically takes approximately seven days of work,” says Hiroki Toyoda.

“When our engineers aren’t building customer engines, they are at circuits with top level race and rally teams helping to manage and prepare race engines. We are very proud to bring our motorsport experience to the road with this high performance Honda engine, the very first time that a MUGEN-tuned engine has ever been offered for use on the road in the UK.”

The extra power is transferred to the road via a limited slip differential, while grip and handling are also significantly improved through a completely revamped suspension set-up, with custom-made springs and dampers.

Improved stopping power is achieved by using bespoke four-piston mono-block racing brake callipers, which sit comfortably behind the lightweight forged alloy wheels which weigh just 7.85kg each.

The exterior of Civic Type R MUGEN is easily distinguished by its large rear spoiler,  new front and rear skirts and a new grille that features the MUGEN logo.
Each Civic Type R MUGEN will be coated in Honda’s famous Championship White – the traditional racing colour of the brand. A special badge inside the vehicle, on the centre console will list the  unique serial number of each model to authenticate the car’s exclusivity.

MUGEN will also offer an optional ‘Track Pack’ perfect for the track enthusiasts. The track package includes front Recaro seats, removal of the rear seats, water and oil temperature/pressure gauges, data recording equipment, and track-ready road-legal tyres.

UK customer can expect to pay £38,599 or around $70,000 Australian – for the Civic Type R MUGEN.

Related Links:
- Mugen Honda Civic Type R 3D: New Pictures (2009)
- Mugen Honda Civic Type-RR (2008)
- Honda Accord Euro Type S (2009)
- Honda FC Sport (2008)
- Honda Civic Hybrid (Road Test)
- Honda OSM Concept (2008)
- Honda Civic Type R (Road Test)
- Honda HF-S Concept (2007)
- Honda Accord Tourer Concept (2007)
- Honda Accord USA (2008)
- Honda Civic Type R - sedan (2007)