Skip advert
Advertisement

Honda CR-Z Mugen hybrid review

Honda has created a hot hatch hybrid with the CR-Z Mugen complete with supercharged engine. It's green, but is it good to drive?

Evo rating
  • A unique performance car experience
  • It's a one-off, for now...

What is it?

 

The Honda CR-Z hybrid coupe, with added Mugen performance. It’s a one-off prototype worth about £150,000, but if reaction is good, a limited-run hot hatch (like the £40K Civic Type-R Mugen) could follow.

 

Technical highlights?

 

Lots. The CR-Z’s combination of electric motor and 1.5-litre petrol power remains, but the latter gains a supercharger, upping total power and torque figures to 197bhp and 158lb ft, respective rises of 75bhp and 30lb ft.

 

There are also new five-way adjustable dampers, a wider front track, more powerful brakes (320mm vented and grooved discs with four-pot calipers up front) and 52kg less weight compared to a standard CR-Z. This comes courtesy of a carbon bonnet and doors, sports front seats and the deletion of the rears. Overrall it’s enough to yield a 185bhp/ton figure, which is a whopping 80 per cent more potent than the standard car.

What’s it like to drive?

 

Pace is impressive, the electric motor’s low-down grunt enough for some amusing torque steer before the supercharger comes on song and you’re carried up the road with a useful lick of pace. The standard six-speed gearing is a disappointment, though; hang onto all the revs and when you change up a ratio, you drop just out of the supercharger’s powerband, so acceleration can feel a little stunted.

 

Cornering ability is much stronger than a regular CR-Z, and closer to Honda’s Type-R range for both entertainment and composure, with body-roll far less evident. The fitment of semi-slick Yokohama Advan tyres endows this Mugen with more grip than power; we’d prefer a good set of road tyres and a bit more playfulness.

 

Nearly a finished article, then, and the mixture of electric whistle, supercharger whine and Darth Vadar-like induction roar makes the driving experience very unique indeed.

 

How does it compare?

 

A Renaultsport Megane 250 is more powerful, practical and much cheaper. But potential buyers are likely to be those happy to pay used M3 money for a limited edition hatchback, much like Mugen’s Civic Type-R, so chances are if you want one, you’ll be digging out Honda’s phone number now.

Anything else I need to know?

 

The Honda CR-Z Mugen makes its public debut at the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 1.

Specifications

EngineIn-line 4cyl, 1497cc, hybrid, supercharged
Max power197bhp @ 6300rpm
Max torque158lb ft @ 5000rpm
0-606.6sec (est)
Top speed145mph (est)
On saleNot yet!
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Ford Focus ST (Mk3) – the car world's greatest misses
Ford Focus ST Mk3
Features

Ford Focus ST (Mk3) – the car world's greatest misses

We’d hoped the 2015 Focus ST would share a good dose of its little brother’s magic. Sadly, it didn’t
28 Apr 2025
The Ferrari 296 Speciale has arrived, and it could be the most thrilling Ferrari ever
Ferrari 296 Speciale – front
News

The Ferrari 296 Speciale has arrived, and it could be the most thrilling Ferrari ever

The 296 Speciale is the latest in Ferrari's line of mid-engined road racers, packing 868bhp and LaFerrari-beating pace on track
29 Apr 2025
Manthey Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RS 2025 review – the ultimate Nürburgring toy
Porsche 911 GT3 RS Manthey front
Reviews

Manthey Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RS 2025 review – the ultimate Nürburgring toy

Did the 992 GT3 RS need to be made more extreme? Posssibly not. We're glad Manthey Racing has done it, though.
28 Apr 2025