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Realizing that you can't please everyone, Mugen instead focuses on the needs and wants of the FWD tuning crowd, slapping a supercharger onto the hybrid's 1.5-liter gasoline engine and IMA electric motor, boosting total output to 198 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. The gasoline engine also receives internal upgrades to cope with the power enhancement. Further increasing the power-to-weight ratio is a reduction of 110 pounds from the curb weight. Performance of the CR-Z Mugen is said to be on par with the high-revving Honda Civic Type-R.
Outside of the engine bay, the CR-Z Mugen also has also receives upgraded Mugen parts for its suspension, brakes, and body components, as well as 17-inch forged alloy Mugen GP wheels. As the IMA hybrid system is still intact, the CR-Z still retains its three modes of operation, including a fuel saving Eco mode, Standard mode, and Sport mode. However, there's now also a fourth, Mugen, which we're assuming allows the CR-Z Mugen to take full advantage of that supercharger's maximum output.
Unfortunately, the CR-Z Mugen that rolls out at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in early July will be a concept that will likely never grace the showroom floor of your local Honda dealer. Still, it doesn't hurt to dream. So is this the CR-Z that Honda should have built in the first place? Maybe, but maybe not. Try dropping the additional weight of the IMA drive and its supporting battery pack and building a superlight performance concept and then we'll talk.
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