Honda Says No Mugen CR-Z

Brace yourself, car fans, because there’s some bad news from Honda. Top Gear recently reported that the automaker has decided not to bring the CR-Z Mugen RR Hybrid Concept to production–ever. There had been indications that the Mugen CR-Z wouldn’t go into production, but a lot of industry watchers were hoping against hope that Honda would reconsider in the face of consumer demand. Apparently, though, car enthusiasts will have to soldier on without the option of owning one of the hybrid.

Mugen serves as Honda’s official tuning arm, but it also engineers and produces unique models of its own, based on Honda vehicles. The CR-Z Mugen offers 197 horsepower, ready and rarin’ to go, and makes the trip from zero to sixty in 6.6 seconds, thanks in part to its reliance on carbon fiber. The CR-Z’s hood, fenders, doors and body tray are all made of carbon fiber; and when the vehicle is driven in Eco mode, it delivers a walloping 50 mpg.

The hybrid CR-Z, designed by Mugen’s European division, was unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this year. Although the CR-Z kept the hardware of the previous model—including the iMA electric motor and the 1.5-liter gas engine—the vehicle’s performance was increased more than 50% as it was loaded with a supercharger and lots of internal upgrades. The Mugen CR-Z not only gets about 200 horsepower, but also boasts 158.6 pound-feet of torque.

Mugen’s engineers also widened the CR-Z’s tracks and added 5-step adjustable dampers, larger brakes, and a limited-slip differential—all of which combine to improve the CR-Z’s driving dynamics. The vehicle’s charms are enhanced by a twin central-exit exhaust and vented front bumpers. The four-piston monobloc brake calipers are painted a bright and distinctive orange, and paired with 18-inch forged alloy wheels. Mugen engineers modified the exterior and the interior of the CR-Z, too.

Honda didn’t play coy; the automaker always said that they had no plans for a production model. But they indicated that they might reconsider, depending upon the customer feedback they received.

Honda decided, and the CR-Z is not to be.

Source;
http://automotivediscovery.com/honda-says-no-mugen-cr-z/9210447/