Honda Confirms Development of Euro Mugen Civic Type R 240HP, Releases New Details

After weeks of media speculation that arose after the release of a teaser set of photos as well as a promotional video, Honda has finally confirmed the development of a highly-tuned Civic Type R "MUGEN" concept prototype road car. The key word here is "concept" as the Japanese automaker noted that "currently there are no plans for a production model" and that at this stage, the hot Civic is "being prepared purely as a prototype model."

However, judging from our past experience with these kind of press statements from automakers, we"d say that Honda"s hot hatch is very, very close to production...

Besides confirming the existence of the car, the Japanese automaker also revealed some juicy new details. First of all, the hardcore three-door hatch is being developed in Japan by MUGEN EURO, the Northampton-based subsidiary of Honda"s official tuning arm, and will be brought to the UK for further testing later in the year.

Honda said that the European Civic Type R "MUGEN" will use the same powertrain as the Civic MUGEN RR saloon launched in Japan in 2007. This translates to a specially modified version of the Type R"s 200HP 2.0-liter four banger producing 240-horsepower.

The Japanese firm added that as well as developing the engine, the hardcore Civic Type R MUGEN will benefit from brake system, exhaust and suspension upgrades while externally, the Civic will take on an a more aggressive stance, with a new aerodynamic package that includes a larger rear wing.

"In standard trim, the Civic Type R is a thrilling machine to drive," said Hiro Toyoda, Vice President of MUGEN EURO in a prepared statement. "It is a fantastic base model from which we hope to develop one of the quickest point to point front-wheel-drive road cars in the country."

Limited Edition Ariel Atom Tuned by Mugen Packs 270 Horsepower

At the 2011 Autosport International Show in Birmingham, UK, Ariel unveiled the latest iteration of its ?no screen, no roof, no doors? Atom, the Mugen-flavored limited edition it first hinted at back in December. Only ten units will be built, each featuring a special livery with a red chassis, white bodywork and red graphics showing the number of the car, to mark 10 years of production and 1,000 Atoms manufactured.

The highlight of the bare-essentials sports car is a Mugen-tuned 2.0-liter Honda K20Z naturally aspirated engine, delivering an impressive 270HP at 8,600 rpm and 255 Nm (188 lb-ft) of torque at 6,000 rpm.

Each powerplant is stripped, measured and fully blueprinted at Mugen Europe?s Northhampton headquarters and then reassembled using different pistons, camshafts and valve springs. Other upgrades include a new manifold with bigger throttle body, race grade spark plugs and lightened flywheel. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a close ratio Honda 6-speed manual gearbox and limited slip differential.

Once the assembly is complete, Mugen tests the engine on a dynamometer. The entire process lasts seven days and, before being signed off, the high revving four-pot is bore scoped and inspected one last time.

The Atom is known for its superb handling and the Mugen should be no different. Boasting a 4-way adjustable damper/spring package, sourced from the 500HP Atom V8, the anniversary model also comes with high performance ventilated brakes and white Ariel magnesium alloys, shod in Yokohama AO48 track-spec tires.

As you?d expect, the Atom Mugen is a very fast piece of machinery, completing the dash to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 2.9 seconds and reaching a top speed of 150 mph (241 km/h).

The open cockpit has been fitted with a new multi function LCD screen housed in a carbon fiber instrument panel. Besides showing gearshift lights and standard warning lights, it can also warn the driver if any other functions go outside their programmed values, which can be handy for pinpointing malfunctions and avoiding critical failures during track days. The driver and passenger racing buckets come with 3-inch FIA harnesses with crutch straps as standard.

?The advantages of being small are obvious in this latest Atom. It?s a hand built car, tailored to suit individual customers who we know and like as friends and who are passionate about their cars and driving. The ability for Mugen to hand build a performance engine, coupled with the legendary Honda reliability, takes this one stage further?, said Simon Saunders of Ariel.

Every Ariel Atom Mugen is built by two technicians, one from Mugen and one from Atom, with both signing off the engine and car only when they?re 100% sure everything is A-OK, reflected in a numbered build plate. No information on the pricing has been released.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Atom via Atom Club

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Ariel to Celebrate Atom’s 10th Anniversary with Mugen-Tuned Special

Ariel"s much acclaimed bare-essentials sports car, the Atom, turned 10 this year. In order to celebrate the special occasion, the British maker has joined forces with Mugen"s European branch to develop a special edition model, which will be launched onto the market in January 2011 in a strictly limited run of 10 cars.

The new lightweight model will feature distinct livery in order set it apart and every unit will come with a plate signed by Mugen and Ariel technicians, certifying their work. According to Ariel, the Atom Mugen will be as track focused as ever, using Honda’s K20Z naturally aspirated Type R engine to its full potential.

The Mugen-prepared powerplant develops an impressive 270 hp out of a 2.0-liter displacement, which should be more than enough for performance-hungry customers.

"The Type R Honda is the best 2.0-liter normally aspirated engine available. We have put our experience and know how to release even more power from the engine and we’re delighted to see our engine in the Ariel Atom", Vice President of Mugen Euro, Mr. Hiroki Toyoda said.

Every special edition model will be hand built, with one Ariel employee making the car, while his Mugen counterpart assembles the engine.

The Atom Mugen will be presented at next month"s 2011 Autosport Show in Birmingham, UK. More information, including specs and photos, will follow shortly after.

By Csaba Daradics

Honda gives away Original Civic Type R Mugen Concept to one Lucky Chap

Remember the red-colored Civic Type R Mugen Concept that Honda showed in the summer of 2009 before the model received the green light for a limited run of 20 units in the UK? Well, the one-off concept car that was used as a test-bed for the production model and which is worth over £60,000, was given away in a draw to celebrate Honda's participation in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). The competition proved quite successful attracting more than 24,000 entries.

The winner of the prized 240PS Civic prototype was Jim Morgan from Manchester. The lucky man not only won the car but he also met Honda's BTCC drivers Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden who treated him to some fast laps around the circuit. He was also given a tour of the MUGEN workshops in Northampton.

"I still can't quite believe I've won this unbelievable concept car," said Jim. "To meet Matt and Gordon, rocket around Silverstone in a Type R, and talk to the guys who built my car was incredible! Seeing how this the Type R MUGEN was built really gives you a feel for how special it is: the guys at MUGEN have put everything they've got into this car."

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