Mugen Civic RR

[JDM onlyy]

I know its too expensive and no one really thinks its worth it. But check this video out, might change your tunes. :D :D


http://fifthgear.five.tv/jsp/5gmain.jsp?mnk=410&id=246&description=Honda+Civic+Mugen+RR+v+Honda+S2000

[slostang]

I absolutly LOVE the civic rr

[redpanda]

if only i had the money

[RL...]

Nice civic, but going fast in fwd car is pointless. RWD/AWD FTW!

And this comparison is horrible. A stock car v a modded car LOL. The civic better win...

[DecoyOctopus]

i dont think its pointless...i think its pretty impressive, especially when a 4dr fwd car can beat a sports car like the s2000. and whats really immperssive is that its not turbo or supah charged. NA power is really impressive to me...although i think they choose na cuz since it is fwd and if they were to put some sort of boost on it it would get torque steer.
Nice civic, but going fast in fwd car is pointless. RWD/AWD FTW!

And this comparison is horrible. A stock car v a modded car LOL. The civic better win...

[Elbow]

FWD going fast is far from pointless, and people who say a FWD can't handle like a RWD are just not very informed.

[87 Turbo II]

Still costs a lot, looks like a$$(IMHO) and the name sounds like something a stuttering pirate would say. I hate how worked up people get over a civic. A compact commuter car with a TON of money invested in R&D and tuning. Big whoop, even if the S2000 lost, I'd rather be in something that was a sports car back on the drawing board then as an afterthought.

[alpine_aw11]

Still costs a lot, looks like a$$(IMHO) and the name sounds like something a stuttering pirate would say. I hate how worked up people get over a civic. A compact commuter car with a TON of money invested in R&D and tuning. Big whoop, even if the S2000 lost, I'd rather be in something that was a sports car back on the drawing board then as an afterthought.

Completely agree with you here. Ok, it beat an S2000. Isn't it 60k? I mean **** give me any model of civic and 60k and you're god damn right I'll spank an s2k anyplace anytime.

[DecoyOctopus]

hellz yea its over priced like crazy but still its pretty cool that it could beat it with a smaller motor and the whole fwd thing.

[alpine_aw11]

hellz yea its over priced like crazy but still its pretty cool that it could beat it with a smaller motor and the whole fwd thing.

It is an impressive car, I'm not necessarily downing it or anything but it shouldn't be 60k. It's just paying for the Mugen brand name. And I really don't consider fwd bringing a vaild argument, a fwd car can be made to handle extremely well for far less than what you would pay for a Mugen RR. Just my :2cents:.

[DecoyOctopus]

hell yea i know what you mean. mugen chit is expensive for no reason.
It is an impressive car, I'm not necessarily downing it or anything but it shouldn't be 60k. It's just paying for the Mugen brand name. And I really don't consider fwd bringing a vaild argument, a fwd car can be made to handle extremely well for far less than what you would pay for a Mugen RR. Just my :2cents:.

[One_Bad_SHO]

Geez, and I thought Hyundais new $30,000 family cars were over priced....

[EJ25RUN]

Nice civic, but going fast in fwd car is pointless. RWD/AWD FTW!

And this comparison is horrible. A stock car v a modded car LOL. The civic better win...

I would own you AGAIN...but you refuse to consider what anyone else says so here.

WTCC....BTCC....JTCC....Super Touring II....Speed Touring

Go learn about those, then we'll discuss your "opinion"

[Atlblkz06]

Nice traveled donkey, but I'd still buy a horse.

[RL...]

I would own you AGAIN...but you refuse to consider what anyone else says so here.

WTCC....BTCC....JTCC....Super Touring II....Speed Touring

Go learn about those, then we'll discuss your "opinion"

I don't know what wtcc...or whatever that is, and it's irrelevant. I've driven fwd, rwd, and awd cars. FWD def pales in comparison for "fun factor." And I thought you care about the "fun factor" of cars ej, as you say the gt-r wouldn't be fun because it's not offered in a stick...

Have putting 250whp though the wheels that are also steering your car makes no damn sense. Have you ever hit boost in a fwd car with 250whp going through a turn? It's not fun.

Rwd is mah ****...and please tell me how some1's opinion can be wrong, that is an oxymoron is itself...

lol @ nice civic. Much rather have a bmw...EJ, no offense, but I think sometimes you like to argue not to prove a point, but rather jsut to argue...:cheers:

[Elbow]

^LOL I seriously laugh everytime you post you have NOOOO idea what you are talking about. If you can drive then you won't have many problems with not having fun in a FWD car.

I thought Maxima's were FWD...??

[EJ25RUN]

I don't know what wtcc...or whatever that is, and it's irrelevant. I've driven fwd, rwd, and awd cars. FWD def pales in comparison for "fun factor." And I thought you care about the "fun factor" of cars ej, as you say the gt-r wouldn't be fun because it's not offered in a stick...

Have putting 250whp though the wheels that are also steering your car makes no damn sense. Have you ever hit boost in a fwd car with 250whp going through a turn? It's not fun.

Rwd is mah ****...and please tell me how some1's opinion can be wrong, that is an oxymoron is itself...

lol @ nice civic. Much rather have a bmw...EJ, no offense, but I think sometimes you like to argue not to prove a point, but rather jsut to argue...:cheers:

Watch this.....What does an F1 world champion Nigel Mansell do after F1 and Indy cars?....race FWD touring cars.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-R665bquMg

RIP David Leslie :(

Some more from the greatest era.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFfcNvwTk_U

Murray Walker announcing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCij9mYIokA

oh btw...

BTCC British Touring Car Championship
WTCC World Touring Car Championship
JTCC Japan Touring car Championship
Super Touring II - FIA Regualtions introduced in 1994 to replace group A


Much rather have a bmw...EJ, no offense, but I think sometimes you like to argue not to prove a point, but rather jsut to argue...:cheers:

No, i just feel i got some good evidence to counter that FWD is not as fun. Mid 90's Touring car racing proved that to me.

I bet you don't know that the B16 was put on the street in the mid 80's so Honda could go homoligate it against the 4age from Toyota in Japanese group A.

[Gorilla Eg!]

nice vid!... never tought they would be able to make a stock civic that was faster than a S2000 :eek:

[JDMef88]

civic FTW
sk2 FTL


dont hate on me....simply been proven in this video !!!

[Imadaman]

pretty impressive

[slostang]

LOL

I thought Maxima's were FWD...??

my thoughts exactly.:screwy:

[Atlblkz06]

The real maximas were RWD. Then they switched to FWD and lost everything.

[alpine_aw11]

civic FTW
sk2 FTL


dont hate on me....simply been proven in this video !!!

Ok, I'm finding "hating" on you too hard to resist right now. So you're honestly going to tell me that just because some 60k civic beats a STOCK FACTORY s2k now it's "s2k ftl"? Come on dude, give me an s2k, subtract the difference from 60k and give me the rest to mod it without a single Mugen part and watch me run circles around a Mugen RR. Looks like we got another JDM fanboy here.

[RL...]

my thoughts exactly.:screwy:

They are fwd, but you don't see me trying to get fast lap times in my car...:lmfao:

My car gets me to school and back, nothing more, nothing less.

[RL...]

Ok, I'm finding "hating" on you too hard to resist right now. So you're honestly going to tell me that just because some 60k civic beats a STOCK FACTORY s2k now it's "s2k ftl"? Come one dude, give me an s2k, subtract the difference from 60k and give me the rest to mod it and watch me run circles around a Mugen RR. Looks like we got another JDM fanboy here.

x2 s2k is a much better car than any civic. sports car > economy car

[OneSlow5pt0]

eh,civcs should never get out of the 20k range,thier nice cars in that range....but really 60k civic or 60k Z06?

[alpine_aw11]

eh,civcs should never get out of the 20k range,thier nice cars in that range....but really 60k civic or 60k Z06?

Or m3, or Porsche, or.....who knows. The Mugen RR is a pointless car at that price.

[allen8603]

seats look pretty pimp. sounds good too

[MR2DR]

nice... now sell it the same price as the si and we're golden

[Elbow]

They are fwd, but you don't see me trying to get fast lap times in my car...:lmfao:

My car gets me to school and back, nothing more, nothing less.

You really are a dumb ass lol, when did you get into cars? Last year? :no: These guys try going fast in their FWD cars...

http://jellybeanracing.com/John/Race%20pics/May_06_95_c_copy.jpg

http://www.velocityjournal.com/images/full/1998/s9806151/98dtgp15.jpg

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2008/04/25/085215.1-lg.jpg

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2008/04/25/085217.1-lg.jpg

http://static.racingjunk.com/1/ui/2/51/4189315106232-1996-BTCC-NATCC-Honda-Accord-RHD-Rol.jpg

http://www.chevroleteurope.com/wtcc/images/car/gallery/dl_wtcc_12.jpg

[Ran]

Nice numbers, but that car is hideous. The front bumper needs some serious redesigning, the tails are Accord-ish, and the wing is massive. I dunno, I just don't like it.

It sounded good though.

[EJ25RUN]

You really are a dumb ass lol, when did you get into cars? Last year? :no: These guys try going fast in their FWD cars...

http://www.chevroleteurope.com/wtcc/images/car/gallery/dl_wtcc_12.jpg

Here's another one from Alan Menu :yes:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/Racing_Ford_Mondeo.jpg

David Leslie Primera.
http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq16/EJ25RUN/Nissan_Primera_BTCC_1999.jpg?t=1222723344

http://faimg1.forum-auto.com/mesimages/263658/btcc406.gif

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/01/HondaMugenAccordRacecar.JPG/800px-HondaMugenAccordRacecar.JPG

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/58/Mugen-MOTUL-CIVIC-Si-racecar..JPG/800px-Mugen-MOTUL-CIVIC-Si-racecar..JPG

[EJ25RUN]

I'm taking over.......My fav FWD thread (yes they are all race cars...dont care)

http://www.subiegal.com/gallerymain/rallygallery/wildwest06/saab-rally.jpg
http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq16/EJ25RUN/Plato-renault.jpg?t=1222726446
http://www.chem.leeds.ac.uk/ICAMS/people/jcp/S40_98.jpg
http://www.johncleland.net/images/JC96Vectra.jpg
http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq16/EJ25RUN/1964-austin-mini-cooper-s-rally-01-.jpg?t=1222726896

[Mik2006]

Love the civic but that price range is way out of range for a civic.

[EJ25RUN]

Love the civic but that price range is way out of range for a civic.

you did read that that all 300 were sold out in 10 mins right?

So obviously not out of range of a Civic. Just out of YOUR range.

[alpine_aw11]

you did read that that all 300 were sold out in 10 mins right?

So obviously not out of range of a Civic. Just out of YOUR range.

Do you think it's worth 60k? Just curious, no douchebaggery here.

edit: I didn't know they made so few of them. I guess it's more of a collector's item. Not to down the performance, but in that aspect I don't think it's worth the money.

[DESTRO_91]

What happens if Mugen gives an S2K the same treatment? Mugen S2K RR? Now we account for the Mugen brand price jump, say $80K.

[EJ25RUN]

Do you think it's worth 60k? Just curious, no douchebaggery here.

4,700,000.00 JPY = 45,286.67 USD

Is it worth 45+ Grand? YES.

Here is why. I have read about 15+ publications from Japan, Europe, and even the U.S. magazines that have gotten their hands on that car.

It is being called the best fwd car ever made.

Now i have read a few of your posts and gather some things about your thinking. You are not a fan of fwd cars. So from the very start, you are gonna give this car a negative eye without caring to really go through and see what makes what.

Now it obviously isn't gonna cost Mugen 45K to build it. But that is where they make their profit just like any other company would when they make something special. But they aren't throwing a kit on a car and lettinging out the door either. And Mugen ranks much higher in the tuner world than even HKS and Trust. Remember Mugen has made F1 engines in their past and are currently responsible for building the SuperGT GT500 C32 for all the NSXs.

That is something that can be compared to Henry Royce putting your engine together. Everything at that high of a level costs a premium. There is no way you will like that car if you dislike fwd. But that car represents what the current gen Honda Civic can be.

To all the people talking about the S2K being a great drivers car: This is why me and Simon are trying to make a point on why so many race series continue to use FWD touring cars. They are more fun and provide better racing.

[Elbow]

What happens if Mugen gives an S2K the same treatment? Mugen S2K RR? Now we account for the Mugen brand price jump, say $80K.

Idk but have you ever driven say the Mugen 4 door SI? It's a pretty damn impressive 30k Civic. Not sure about the RR I mean I am sure it's 25x better but saying just because it's Mugen doesn't mean that's why the price is high, some real good development goes into these.

I will honestly go all out, and say just the Mugen 4 door SI was as fun, if not more fun, then a S2K. I have driven both fairly hard. I honestly was sold on the Mugen SI if I had the money.

[alpine_aw11]

4,700,000.00 JPY = 45,286.67 USD

Is it worth 45+ Grand? YES.

Here is why. I have read about 15+ publications from Japan, Europe, and even the U.S. magazines that have gotten their hands on that car.

It is being called the best fwd car ever made.

Now i have read a few of your posts and gather some things about your thinking. You are not a fan of fwd cars. So from the very start, you are gonna give this car a negative eye without caring to really go through and see what makes what.

Now it obviously isn't gonna cost Mugen 45K to build it. But that is where they make their profit just like any other company would when they make something special. But they aren't throwing a kit on a car and lettinging out the door either. And Mugen ranks much higher in the tuner world than even HKS and Trust. Remember Mugen has made F1 engines in their past and are currently responsible for building the SuperGT GT500 C32 for all the NSXs.

That is something that can be compared to Henry Royce putting your engine together. Everything at that high of a level costs a premium. There is no way you will like that car if you dislike fwd. But that car represents what the current gen Honda Civic can be.

To all the people talking about the S2K being a great drivers car: This is why me and Simon are trying to make a point on why so many race series continue to use FWD touring cars. They are more fun and provide better racing.

Didn't expect this long of a retort. I'm not against FWD by any means, in all likelihood my next car will be FWD. I would just prefer RWD or AWD, but I'm not going to be able to afford one that would really fit what I'm looking for right now. Everyone was saying it costs 60k, 45 is more reasonable I suppose. Thanks for filling me in.

[patrick4588]

i love the rr. if i had the money, id have one. i would rather have one than an s2k anyday. my next car will probably be an s2k though, for the fact i can afford a used one soon.

[EJ25RUN]

Didn't expect this long of a retort. I'm not against FWD by any means, in all likelihood my next car will be FWD. I would just prefer RWD or AWD, but I'm not going to be able to afford one that would really fit what I'm looking for right now. Everyone was saying it costs 60k, 45 is more reasonable I suppose. Thanks for filling me in.

Most people on this site don't ever look up what they post and end up starting a train of false info.

On the other hand there are Mugen people on this site that, well, i can say they are fans for the wrong reason but they don't know all that much about the company outside of street gear. You know, the ones left over form the JDM craze. I know NAIZBST is an exception to this and prolly knows more than me.

I keep an open eye toward every car and let it prove itself for what it is.

oh...btw.....Lets not forget that car was made for Japan and will never come to the U.S.A. That decision was obviously made by some business person that knew these cars would sell.

[TypeRPersonality]

Do you think it's worth 60k? Just curious, no douchebaggery here.

edit: I didn't know they made so few of them. I guess it's more of a collector's item. Not to down the performance, but in that aspect I don't think it's worth the money.

I do not think it's worth 60k, nor 40k which is what it sold for. But what most people don't understand is that this isn't a modified economy Civic like what we can get at the dealer. But rather a modified Civic Type R, which already holds a much higher price tag than even an Si. Add rarity and the Mugen badge and of course it'll sell. I wouldn't buy it, but it's still a great car.

[alpine_aw11]

Most people on this site don't ever look up what they post and end up starting a train of false info.

On the other hand there are Mugen people on this site that, well, i can say they are fans for the wrong reason but they don't know all that much about the company outside of street gear. You know, the ones left over form the JDM craze. I know NAIZBST is an exception to this and prolly knows more than me.

I keep an open eye toward every car and let it prove itself for what it is.

Yea I think I'm starting to have a lot of unfounded bias against most JDM companies because of the new JDM fanboy craze. I just don't see the point in dropping unnecessary amounts of money on JDM parts that can be bought for half the price from companies who are trying to establish themselves, and are just as effective. But I prefer cars that aren't **** when you get them, but have massive amounts of potential. I just have that builder's mentality. So even if I could afford an RR and by some miracle could get my hands on one, I'd rather take the 45k and go build up a teg and an mk2 Gti. I respect the cars, but ones like this aren't for me.

[EJ25RUN]

Yea I think I'm starting to have a lot of unfounded bias against most JDM companies because of the new JDM fanboy craze. I just don't see the point in dropping unnecessary amounts of money on JDM parts that can be bought for half the price from companies who are trying to establish themselves, and are just as effective. But I prefer cars that aren't **** when you get them, but have massive amounts of potential. I just have that builder's mentality. So even if I could afford an RR and by some miracle could get my hands on one, I'd rather take the 45k and go build up a teg and an mk2 Gti. I respect the cars, but ones like this aren't for me.

Mugen is not just a tuner.

Mugen has a manufactures license. This is on the same level as a RUF, Saleen, Roush, Alpine, AMG, and every other established company that started out small and became a large company. If we travel back in time, Honda was racing at the Isle of Mann before they were making economy cars.

One last thing.



bias against most JDM companies because of the new JDM fanboy craze

Buddy, that craze began in 2002ish and fazed out in 2006. Or...maybe i just see it that way.

[alpine_aw11]

Buddy, that craze began in 2002ish and fazed out in 2006. Or...maybe i just see it that way.

From everything I've seen I would say it's alive and well.

[EJ25RUN]

From everything I've seen I would say it's alive and well.

The tuner world exists outside of what you read in mags and what shows up at the Varsity. But things in the car scene usually work the same way they work with everything.

I remember when drifting began. I'm talking about the period 2 to 3 years before Tokyo drift. Back when you didn't get laughed at for being a drifter. Then, the mainstream finds out and it becomes lame.

[Elbow]

I admit when drifting kind of started I was a HUGE fan, but it started getting HUGE and I lost interest. Not just because it got big but because of some of the people it brought with it.

[EJ25RUN]

I admit when drifting kind of started I was a HUGE fan, but it started getting HUGE and I lost interest. Not just because it got big but because of some of the people it brought with it.

I remember being at all the turner field events. I think Batlground had yet to build the orange 240s. It was that silver one Dan was tossing around. OH and Andy with the BMW with no sponcers what so ever.

Those were the days. :cheers:

[Elbow]

^EXACTLY. I actually have loads of video from then I put on DVD at the time I was like sixteen then. I remember the grey Batlground car for sure, I was a HUGE Andy Sapp fan, the white Miata I think that's Doppenlanger or w/e, good stuff for sure!

[EJ25RUN]

^EXACTLY. I actually have loads of video from then I put on DVD at the time I was like sixteen then. I remember the grey Batlground car for sure, I was a HUGE Andy Sapp fan, the white Miata I think that's Doppenlanger or w/e, good stuff for sure!

yeah yeah yeah....how could i forget droptopdrift.....the one with the red rotas.
Hipsi was also very impressive back when he had the sr in there and Tiger Racing were still "local"

[Atlblkz06]

The problem is that we're all looking at it from different perspectives.

Some think its a street car that someone may drive and show off (like the GTR now)
Other think its a race-only track car.

Most of us here only care about road applications. From that perspective, this car is absolute trash.

It may be a FWD track star but no hardly anyone here is qualified to comment on that car from that perspective.
Driving pleasure and dynamics isnt something you can put a price tag on easily so hell maybe it is worth 70k, who knows.

To me its a 70k civic - hell no I'm not buying one.
But heck they're all sold, so case closed.

[Elbow]

Good times! :)

[Elbow]

The problem is that we're all looking at it from different perspectives.

Some think its a street car that someone may drive and show off (like the GTR now)
Other think its a race-only track car.

Most of us here only care about road applications. From that perspective, this car is absolute trash.

It may be a FWD track star but no one here is qualified to comment on that car from that perspective.

But heck they're all sold, so case closed.

And why can't we comment on it from a track star prospective? Also how is it trash for street??

[EJ25RUN]

Most of us here only care about road applications. From that perspective, this car is absolute trash.


Guess what? I can name many respected magazines that will disagree with you and these mags only care about the car on how it does on the street.

[Atlblkz06]

Damn you were fast - edited before I saw your post lol

Oh come on now, you're not gonna tell me you'd actually drive that thing on the street?

[Atlblkz06]

Ok maybe "trash" was a bad word. What I meant is that DDing this car is monetary suicide.

The car may be wonderful - but good luck maintaining that car without super deep pockets! 70k is only the tip of the iceberg. That's an ultra high end low production number car you're talking about.

[EJ25RUN]

Damn you were fast - edited before I saw your post lol

Oh come on now, you're not gonna tell me you'd actually drive that thing on the street?

And why not?.....it is in fact a STREET car. It is road legal in Japan. The exact market it was made for. Not the on in the U.S.

WHY ELSE DOES HONDA NOT GIVE US A STANDARD TYPE R MUCH LESS A MUGEN?

You own a Z06 over here so you don't have to worry about a couple things.

Just think about what a person in Japan would have to consider between buying
a car with a 2.0L vs on that will be heavily heavily taxed on its displacement.

And i have already stated that it is not $70 grand.

[EJ25RUN]

British magazine EVO: And why the RR got a 5/5 star rating from the best automotive magazine in the world.


EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ THIS!!!


http://www.evo.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_541/car_photo_270543_7.jpg

My first sight of the rarest and probably most desirable Honda Civic on the planet is a flash of blood-red paint and a glint of black wheel spokes a couple of hundred yards away. Even at this range I know it’s the real thing, and up close the Mugen RR is even more striking.

Its owner, Waqar Ahmed, hops out and we shake hands. The driver of the car that followed the Mugen into the lay-by has joined us on the pavement and I shake his hand too. I assume he’s a friend of Waqar’s. Waqar thinks he’s a friend of mine. Turns out he’s a stranger to both of us; he’s simply a Honda enthusiast who wants to know if the car is for sale!

‘It’s mental,’ says Waqar, who collected the car from import specialists Performance Centre Manchester just a few days ago. ‘Everywhere you stop you end up surrounded by people.’ That’s testimony to three things: the irresistible, ground-skimming stance of this limited edition Civic, the desirability of cars that marry the Honda and Mugen names, and the power of the internet.The Civic Mugen RR (be cool and say ‘double R’ rather than sounding like a pirate) went on sale in Japan last September and all 300 examples were snapped up in just ten minutes. This is the only example in the UK and is likely to remain so, as back home RRs are now changing hands at a premium, which is quite something, because while the standard Japanese-market Civic Type-R costs 2.8m yen, this Mugen was 4.8m yen.

That’s quite a hike – about £8K – for what appears, as first glance, to be a gentle massaging of the already impressive JDM Civic Type-R. The more you delve, however, the more thorough you discover the rework has been and the more plausible Mugen’s claim to have built the ultimate front-drive car becomes.

Mugen is well known for offering tuning and styling parts for Hondas, but everything on the RR is unique and will not be on sale separately. Take a chunk out of one of the 18in, seven-spoke forged alloy wheels and you’ll have to prove you own an RR to get another. Ditto the restyled front and rear bumper aprons, which are fashioned from carbonfibre, the vented bonnet in aluminium and the new rear spoiler, also carbon, with additional Gurney flap.

Despite such lightweight parts, to which you can add the carbonfibre-shelled Recaro bucket seats inside, Mugen claims the RR is just 10kg lighter than the cooking Type-R, demonstrating how lean that car already is. You won’t find a substantial power uplift either. In concept form, the RR was said to have a 256bhp, 2.2-litre version of the much-lauded K20A engine, but the production version sticks with the original 2 litres. Mind, with 237bhp it does produce more power than the stock 222bhp unit, thanks to new cams, a tailor-made 4-3-1 exhaust with high-flow catalysts, and a fat tail-pipe either side of the impressive rear diffuser.

Now, we’re big fans of the Japanese-market Civic Type-R, with its 9000rpm in-line four, limited-slip diff and road-legal grooved slicks. The Mugen sets out to be even more focused, but the cynical side of me imagines this being like the difference between a four-blade and a five-blade disposable razor, i.e. largely imagined. However, the Mugen is said to be measurably faster around the Tsukuba circuit in Japan so, with Waqar’s consent, we’re going to see if it can show the same on the West Circuit at the Bedford Autodrome.

First, though, we’re going to find out what the Mugen feels like on the road. Climbing into the lairy red-and-black interior I find the seat is a snug fit across the back even for me, and I’m pretty slim. Above the slot for the radio sits a trio of auxiliary dials, while down on the centre console is a small, simple, aluminium plate lightly embossed with the number 178.

Twist the key, push the red button and, as in the stock Type-R, the 16-valve in-line four fires and settles to an idle that’s light, smooth and rather timid. The short-throw Mugen shift feels wristily notchy and stroking along gently there’s still no hint that the engine has another side. Immediately attention-grabbing on these B-roads is the firmness of the ride. It feels a fraction stiffer than the already tough standard set-up and the RR looks lowered too, though that might be an effect of the lower-slung sills. Certainly it’s a resilient chassis, but while the ride is very tightly controlled it’s never crashy.

The steering is surprisingly light and tugs gently as the Bridgestone RE070s’ large tread-blocks find bumps and cambers, but instantly impressive is the feel of the brake pedal; Mugen has fitted its own grooved discs and braided hoses to the Brembo system and there’s instant, progressive power from the very top of the travel. It’s among the best I’ve ever felt.

Torque is thin down low but that suddenly seems of no consequence as the tacho needle swings through 6000rpm. The note gains weight, the shove in the back hardens to a punch and the whole car seems to pull into focus. Peak power is quoted at 8000rpm but this engine seems to deliver useful urge right up to the limiter, a gnat’s short of 9000rpm. As ever, it’s an engine you have to keep on the boil – it’s still odd to be tacking through a series of unsighted bends at a frantic 6500rpm in second, waiting to nail it when the road opens out.

There are, of course, no such problems at the Bedford Autodrome. I can’t detect much difference between the RR and the Type-R, except that the Mugen feels a bit stiffer, so I’m not expecting to see the Type-R’s 1:31.0 beaten. However, despite feeling a fraction less adjustable and as though its front end is dealing with just about as much power and torque as it can, it takes just a couple of laps for the RR to get down to that time.

The Mugen has only around 500 miles on the clock, but so did the regular Type-R we tested around the new West Circuit a couple of issues ago, so it’s all even. After a couple of laps to cool it down we go for it again and the RR pulls out a 1:29.3. Amazing. Analysing the traces of both cars, the Mugen attains fractionally higher speeds but gains most by carrying more speed into the fastest corners at the end of the lap.

Is the Mugen RR the ultimate front-drive car, then? On lap times, I suspect it has laid down a marker that will stand for a very long time, and making the Civic faster on track was one of Mugen’s objectives, so it’s job done, then. Personally, I prefer the feel of the slightly more compliant regular car on both road and track, but there’s no question, as an object of desire the Mugen RR is untouchable.

[Elbow]

Good post EJ and good read!

[Atlblkz06]

Wow you're not kidding. They pay taxes based on displacement!

Thought I'd share this about Mugen:

"...Mugen is owned and run by Hirotoshi Honda - the son of Honda founder Soichiro Honda - who has been the major shareholder in Honda since his father's death.

Mugen was founded in 1973 by Hirotoshi Honda and Masao Kimura (who is now managing director). Its purpose was to design and develop racing engines for sale and to develop engines and parts for Honda road cars.

The company has a strong racing heritage as Hirotoshi Honda began building his own racing car in a workshop at his house, shortly before he graduated from Nihon University in 1965. Kimura is a veteran of more than 50 race victories in Honda sportscars and single-seaters and worked for Honda R&D and then Honda Racing Service before he helped Hirotoshi establish Mugen."

[EJ25RUN]

Good post EJ and good read!

Unbiased and tells it like it is. Compare that to if Super Street was writing about this car. :rolleyes:

The guy says the car accomplishes what it was designed to do. It is worse on the street than the standard type R which is already fantastic and hard to improve upon both on the track and B roads. But it does pull itself as a better car to attack a corner and if much more of an experience to own as the car will get many looks and that is a big factor for some people. Me included.

[EJ25RUN]

Wow you're not kidding. They pay taxes based on displacement!

Thought I'd share this about Mugen:

"...Mugen is owned and run by Hirotoshi Honda - the son of Honda founder Soichiro Honda - who has been the major shareholder in Honda since his father's death.

Mugen was founded in 1973 by Hirotoshi Honda and Masao Kimura (who is now managing director). Its purpose was to design and develop racing engines for sale and to develop engines and parts for Honda road cars.

The company has a strong racing heritage as Hirotoshi Honda began building his own racing car in a workshop at his house, shortly before he graduated from Nihon University in 1965. Kimura is a veteran of more than 50 race victories in Honda sportscars and single-seaters and worked for Honda R&D and then Honda Racing Service before he helped Hirotoshi establish Mugen."

You know you are accomplished when it is Mugen that is given the right to build the Supergt race engines vs Honda's very own in house HRC. They also handled F1 duties after Honda left in 1992. They are simply the most accomplished race engineers outside of the actual manufactures like TRD, NISMO, and HRC.

[josh green]

I personally am a FWD enthusiast, I dont know why I just like them. Its easy to go fast with turbos and awd. The cars are more about being as fast a possible from being smooth. The amount of R&D is just amazing, I would LOVE to have a Mugen SI, $30k or not. This car was built to show what Mugen can do with a fwd, this car deserves mad respect. It makes the same power as the s2k, but it makes more torque. Its a 2.0, thats remarkable that they can produce "more power" reliably than the "god sent" F series and for a daily drive-able car.
Honestly this would be the car to have if you had children and was still active in spirited driving. Its the perfect balance in speed, reliability, and economy. I personally like how it looks in all aspects.
EJ, doesnt come in here to put anyone down, he is one of the few that is passionate about motorsport and corrects misinformation.

[EJ25RUN]

EJ, doesnt come in here to put anyone down, he is one of the few that is passionate about motorsport and corrects misinformation.

Thanx man. :cheers:

[Me86Rob]

looked REALLY bumpy in there. but id drive it

[Atlblkz06]

EJ, doesnt come in here to put anyone down, he is one of the few that is passionate about motorsports and corrects misinformation.

Agreed 100%. I think he spends 20/24 hours in a day researching things no one knows just to show off on IA :lmfao: