Supercharged Mugen Honda CR-Z Type R to make 197-hp

Mugen Honda CR-Z Type R
Mugen Honda CR-Z Type R

We recently tested the 2011 Honda CR-Z and were fairly impressed by the hybrid hatchback. However, we kept finding ourselves yearning for more power and more zip for a hatchback that looked as aggressive as the CR-Z.

Well, our thirst is about to be quenched… sort of. Honda’s tuning arm Mugen has officially confirmed that it is working on a one-off supercharged Honda CR-Z Hybrid, which will make it world debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. Mugen said there are no plans of production yet.

Power for the Mugen Honda CR-Z will come from a 1.5L i-VTEC gasoline engine that will get a supercharger, helping it produce 200-ps (197-hp) with a maximum torque of 181 lb-ft.

Click here for more news on the Honda CR-Z.

“The idea was to use the significant advantage of the early torque provided by the Honda IMA electric motor, then increase the torque available from the petrol engine gradually, to first maintain and then increase this,” says Colin Whittamore from MUGEN Euro. “A supercharger and complementary electronics allow us to very neatly map the IMA to the extra power and torque of the engine in a unique package, giving a smooth, integrated and powerful driving experience.”

Other performance enhancement features include tuning to the chassis dynamics, with 5-step adjustable dampers fitted front and rear, an increase in track width and a large reduction in overall weight. Stopping power will come from larger brake discs and 4-pot monobloc calipers.

Click here for our review on the Honda CR-Z.

Refresher: The 2011 Honda CR-Z is powered by a 1.5L i-VTEC mated to Honda”s Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system. It produces a total of 122-hp and a maximum torque of 128 lb-ft. When mated to a 6-speed manual, the CR-Z returns an EPA-estimated 31/37/34 mpg (city/highway/combined). With the CVT transmission, the CR-Z returns 35/39/37 mpg. Prices in the United States start at $19,200.

Mugen Honda CR-Z Type R:

Mugen Honda CR-Z Type R Mugen Honda CR-Z Type R Mugen Honda CR-Z Type R Mugen Honda CR-Z Type R

Review: 2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid:

Review: 2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid Review: 2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid Review: 2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid Review: 2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid

All Photos Copyright © 2011 Omar Rana, Nikolina Kostrevski – egmCarTech.

– By: Omar Rana