What is it?
This is the production version of the “concept” that we drove a month ago. That was an experimental car created to gauge the reaction to a Mugen-tuned Civic Type R. Mugen Europe’s UK-based engineers have listened to those reactions and modified the car to produce this, the firm’s first road car, which has been developed at Mugen Europe’s Northampton HQ.
It’s also the only Honda that costs nearly £40,000, a price tag Mugen says reflects the car’s hand-built nature (the engine alone takes seven days to finish.)
It’s based on a Championship Civic Type R, so it comes in white only and has a limited-slip diff. Mugen has thoroughly reworked the engine with new pistons, ECU, camshafts and exhaust to give it 237bhp (up on the standard car’s 208bhp) and a smidgen more torque.
They’ve also added bespoke brakes, suspension and an aero kit, along with reinstating the back seats and toning down the concept’s overly harsh ride as a reaction to feedback from those who drove it.
That lot adds up to an eye-watering £38,595, although your money buys you a certain kind of exclusivity as Mugen will build just 20 – European boss Hiroki Toyoda is adamant that the firm will not do any more – and they’re for the UK market only.
Join the debate
Cheltenhamshire
Re: Honda Civic Type R Mugen
Lovely car, but it is just a silly price. Yes, it is wonderful that highly trained engineers have lovingly hand crafted the engine, including licking it clean of dust (so I heard) .... but the fact that nearly £15k of engine work has given it just 30BHP more shows why the turbo / super charger was invented. Yes it would change the character of the car ..... but it would give it torque, and much more power for about £3k extra.
No brainer really.
Richard H
Re: Honda Civic Type R Mugen
I keep thinking I've stumbled in to EVO or a Japanease Mods forum Pointless reveiw, a bit pricey is a massive understatement!
Loconinja
Re: Honda Civic Type R Mugen
The engine in the Japanese market Civic Type-R (FD2) has 237bhp. Why didn't Mugen simply drop one of those in?
The fact that this car exists proves that the Type-R brand has moved away from its original values.
JackB
Re: Honda Civic Type R Mugen
This car is even more pointless than the Lexus LFA. Come to think of it, why not create a hand-built Corsa 1.4 with 5 bhp power hike and a 25k price tag - rarity factor ensured!
NobbyUK
Re: Honda Civic Type R Mugen
There are going to be a lot of people missing the point on this car. But I can see a bunch of real track day enthusiasts who want THE best driving experience they can get, around their favourite tracks and still give them the same feeling and performance on their way home.
This is a race engineering company applying decades of expertise (right up to F1) for the ultimate visceral thrill - with the durability of a Honda road car - that's why it's special, and not everyone's going to be able to appreciate (or afford) it.
I hear they sold 300 of the Japanese 4 door Civic in 6 minutes for £30-something, and, although this car has been totally engineered for UK roads, I reckon there'll be enthusiasts across the world who will see it as good value for something so unique.
tannedbaldhead
Re: Honda Civic Type R Mugen
[quote NobbyUK]good value [/quote]
Good value is the £16K clio 200 cup. For the price of the Mugen you could buy two of the little buzzbombs (one for yourself and one for a mate to race) and with the change pay for weekend trackdays for months if not years.
Submariner Redux
Re: Honda Civic Type R Mugen
Yes, it's silly money by any rational standard and would never sell in any volume at that price. But there are probably 20 people out there who fancy a highly-developed hand-finished car of this nature and for whom money is not a barrier. And 20 is all they are looking for.
Loconinja
Re: Honda Civic Type R Mugen
[quote NobbyUK]But I can see a bunch of real track day enthusiasts who want THE best driving experience they can get, around their favourite tracks and still give them the same feeling and performance on their way home.[/quote]
That is what the Type-R badge used to stand for.
simonali
Re: Honda Civic Type R Mugen
[quote Loconinja]The engine in the Japanese market Civic Type-R (FD2) has 237bhp. Why didn't Mugen simply drop one of those in? [/quote]
Only the Mugen FD2 had 237bhp but that was hideously expensive, too!
Intense
Re: Honda Civic Type R Mugen
[quote simonali]
[quote Loconinja]The engine in the Japanese market Civic Type-R (FD2) has 237bhp. Why didn't Mugen simply drop one of those in? [/quote]
Only the Mugen FD2 had 237bhp but that was hideously expensive, too!
[/quote] All FD2's that have been imported seem to be producing 230+bhp standard on the rollersAdd your comment