Mugen Releases Images of Tuned CR-Z

The Honda CR-Z held a lot of promise when it was first shown to enthusiasts, but sadly hasn't quite lived up to that.

Clearly Honda was aiming to catch some of the CR-X's allure but it hasn't quite panned out that way. Its slow hybrid drivetrain doesn't do it any favors.

We wouldn't be surprised if Honda tried to make it more performance oriented in the future. Until then though, Honda tuner Mugen is happy to oblige.

In October 2009, we first reported on news about a Mugen-tuned version of the Honda CR-Z. Over a year later, the first pictures of the car are surfacing. Even now though it apparently is just a concept car, although we don't see it being that way for long.

The car has a supercharged version of its 1.5-liter four-cylinder. Past figures from Mugen have pegged a combined power output between the gas engine and electric assist at 197 horsepower and 191 pound feet of torque.

That is a huge boost over the standard car's 122 combined hp. The Mugen CR-Z will also drop 110 pounds over the standard car, which should give the specially-tuned CR-Z similar 0-60 times as the Civic Type R. Talk about a transformation! The Mugen-tuned CR-Z is set to make its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.