Honda CR-Z Mugen arrives February 2012

Honda Mugen CR-Z will cost under £24k

Honda told us that the Mugen CR-Z was just a concept, but now we learn that the hot CR-Z will arrive in the UK in February 2012 from ‘under £24k’.

The Honda CR-Z is a decent enough little car; it has sporty handling and sporty looks, but it’s a real anti-climax to drive thanks to its 1.5 litre hybrid setup.

Stung by criticism of the CR-Z’s performance, Honda got Mugen to have a play with its sporty little hybrid this year, and they did what Honda should probably have done from the start – strap on a supercharger to the hybrid lump.

That supercharger upped the output of the Mugen CR-Z to a much more appealing 197bhp, but Mugen also managed to widen the CR-Z’s track, give it adjustable dampers, bigger brakes and shave off some weight. All for a ‘Concept’ Mugen CR-Z, according to Honda.

All that adds up to a proper little pocket rocket, with better handling, better dynamics and performance of around 6 seconds 0-60mph.

Of course, the plan was always to have a production run of Mugen’s take on the CR-Z, and we now know that the Mugen CCR-Z will arrive in UK showrooms in February – and that it will cost ‘Under £24k’.

Interestingly, Mugen has left the three regular driving modes of the hybrid CR-Z in place, so when you’re not in the mood for blatting you can drop the Mugen in to Eco and get over 50mpg. But stick it in to ‘Mugen Mode’ and you’ll be able to go blatting with the best, and still probably get the right side of 30mpg.

And at £24k the Mugen CR-Z should make the new Toyota GT 86 seem an expensive option.

(23 photos – click any thumbnail for full gallery)

By Cars UK