Civic Mugen Type-RR : Honda CIVIC MUGEN RR

As any Honda fan can tell you, the Type-R is among the best names in the industry when it comes to fast, stylish, and fun to drive front wheel drive cars (considering 90% of Hondas are FWD). We've seen a lot of Type-R Civics and none have failed to deliver that "extra something" which makes them so special.

The ingredients are well known; increased HP from the VTEC high revs motor (normally aspirated of course), sharpened chassis, AND weight reduction. That's basically what every race car enthusiast would do to his own car before taking it to the track, and we were very fortunate in getting our hands on this amazing Civic. Not because only 300 units will be produced, but because it was Mugen tuned. This Honda affiliated Japanese company brings an enormous amount of racing knowledge into what's probably the best factory tuned Honda Civic that money can buy.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome the Mugen Civic Type RR!

The Mugen Honda Honda CIVIC MUGEN RR was unveiled last summer (July '07) and can be considered the "street legal" version of the Super Taikyu Championship Civics that have been dominating the ST4 Class in the field. Like the Impreza Type RA-R you won't see the Civic RR stopped at traffic lights very often. This car is restricted to a very limited 300 units.

Before going further into our exclusive test drive sponsored by Mugen (we were lucky enough to be the first non-Japanese website to be given the keys of the Civic RR), we recommend those who arn't familiar with the "standard" Civic Type-R to check our previous review: 1000km with the brand new Honda Civic Type-R. Our statistics tell us there are many fans of this iconic Japanese car out there.

The Facts:
- 240 PS, 15 more than the Civic Type-R, 85 more than the standard Civic (2.0GL).
- 218 Nm, slightly better than the 215 Nm of the regular Type-R, and 30 Nm more than the 2.0 GL.
- 1255 Kg, 15kg lighter than the Type-R, and 45 compared to the 2.0 GL.


Honda CIVIC MUGEN RR, HDTV
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Moon Child by COPPE

Design:
If you're not a Honda freak, you may have a hard time distinguishing the R from the RR as both cars look very similar from the exterior. The Mugen version has a wider body kit and a couple visible mods, such as hood air ducts, a carbon front grille sporting the Mugen logo, new front spoiler, 18" Black wheels, and specially designed Potenza RE070 (225 / 40R18 88Y) tires.

With its dual exhaust system, the rear end also lets you know there's something going on with this new Honda. Additional brake lights and a new carbon fiber rear spoiler are as much for good looks as for downforce.

Interior:
Minor but enjoyable changes inside as well. The radio was removed and replaced by oil temperature, water temperature, and pressure gages. The standard bucket seats were traded in for wonderful carbon ones that require you to be in good physical shape to sit comfortably in them, we're talking racing here. The pedals were also modified (aluminum), and a plaque etched with your issued car number is mounted on the shift knob column.


On the Road:
When you look at the figures on paper, the Civic Type RR isn't very impressive. An Additional 15PS, equivalent torque, and a tad lighter weight, it all sounds like something you could easily do to a stock Civic Type-R yourself... If you thought that you're wrong. Very wrong.

Making a car faster equals more power in the minds of 99% of the people, but remember this car is FWD. The front wheels both steer AND support the power of the engine, this is why most of the changes don't appear on the specs sheet. The aerodynamics, and most of all the chassis, were dramatically tuned resulting in a much more grippy and responsive feel behind the wheel.

This is a very wise, professional, "down to earth" tuning that Mugen accomplished for the Civic, the improvements made to the chassis could probably welcome even more power.

As the RR is a "track-friendly" machine aimed at racing enthusiasts, Traction Control, among other security equipment, is nowhere to be found. That's a good thing, especially on the circuit. The greatest change felt behind the wheel doesn't come through acceleration, but steering response. This car translates every move of your hands into a precise direction with cornering, handling, and balance that are impeccable and provide you with more confidence at each and every turn.

Remember this is a road legal machine, and not all roads are as clean and flat as Suzuka's main straightaway. The suspension gives you a rough ride when the tarmac is not perfectly even, driving this car at Sebring would be one heck of an experience for your poor back! Hopefully suspension can be tuned easily "on the fly."

As for fantastic sensations, the sound of the VTEC through the exhaust was music to our ears. No wonder they got rid of the radio, you wouldn't turn it on anyway! The engine has, of course, kept its high revvin' personality. Unfortunately, at 160km per hour the speed limiter puts a violent end to your enthusiasm. HOPEFULLY, it can be deactivated for driving ON RACE TRACKS.

Plus:
Price
Performance
Look
Exclusivity
Handling

Minus:
Deliciously uncomfortable.

Conclusion:
You've got it right, we were simply amazed by the Mugen Honda Honda CIVIC MUGEN RR. The attention to detail and years of experience accumulated by Mugen at racing competitions worldwide really come alive in this Civic.

The car is sold for around 30.000€ in Japan. No need to tell me, if it was available at your local Honda dealer there would be one parked in front of your house right now. You'd have made the right choice, at least if you like Hondas and diabolical performance....

Don't we all?

Many thanks to Mugen for letting us test drive what certainly is the best factory Honda Civic yet built.

Posted on 09/05/08 By G-A.G