Honda CR-Z Mugen | Spotted
The standard CR-Z was never the spiciest sports car - of course, in Japan there was a supercharged one...
So the new Prelude has made it to the UK, here to jazz up (no pun intended) Honda dealerships all over the country. Heaven knows the brand could do with a boost right now. By and large, the verdict over here has been the same as those initial reviews from the south of France: a great idea, a fine chassis, but a coupe that’s desperately in need of more power. A PH assessment is imminent…
Until then, a blast from Honda’s hybrid coupe past. See, the Prelude certainly isn’t the first time that Honda has resurrected a retro two-door concept with modest electrified power - remember the CR-Z? A spiritual successor to the original CRX, its distinctive looks were a real USP. Also in the CR-Z’s pros column was a typically slick Honda manual gearbox and claimed mpg in excess of 50 thanks to a ahead-of-its-time pairing of 1.5-litre engine and Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system.
But it didn’t make for a particularly speedy coupe, much as the Prelude isn’t now. Both were intended to be more exciting hybrids than the Insights and Civics of the world, an objective that was never too hard to achieve, though always with potential unfulfilled. Throughout its life, the CR-Z never had more than 140hp, which was adequate, if not exciting. You might recall that a one-off Mugen CR-Z made it to the UK, complete with a supercharger for almost 200hp. Presumably that was gauging interest for a limited run of cars; that never materialised, perhaps as making a few would have pushed the price a long way beyond Civic Type R territory.
Japan did get a supercharged CR-Z, however, and that’s what’s for sale here. Just 300 units were built by Mugen, with some snazzy wheels, a full aero kit (including carbon rear spoiler) and suspension overhaul alongside forced induction. In that uniquely JDM way, here the OTT styling seems just about right. And while 175hp is only a smaller power boost, the torque ramp up from 140lb ft to almost 200 will make the real difference; and there’s no reason why the supercharger couldn’t be tweaked further on the way to more than 200hp-plus. Certainly it should sound the part already, thanks to a Mugen exhaust.
Number 23 of the 300 produced, this CRZ is impeccable, imported to the UK in 2022 and still showing fewer than 40,000 miles. The funky blue interior, another Mugen modification, has lasted well. This particular one benefits from extra Mugen goodies over standard plus a new head unit that can speak to your smartphone. A recent refresh of fluids should mean it wants for little more in 2026 than driving and enjoying.
Obviously condition and provenance come at a price, this Mugen for sale at twice the price of any other CR-Z on PH. But an awful lot more than £20k has been paid for 300-unit JDM special editions, even those without meaningful modifications over standard. And as a humble CR-Z, there’s no reason why the Mugen couldn’t be used on a reasonably regular basis, unlike some of the more exotic stuff to have landed from Japan. 50mpg never looked so good…
SPECIFICATION | HONDA CR-Z MUGEN
Engine: 1,497cc four-cyl, supercharged, plus electric motor assist
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 175
Torque (lb ft): 193
MPG: 56.5 (standard)
CO2: 117g/km (standard)
Recorded mileage: 38,000
Year registered: 2013
Price new: N/A in UK (4,500,000 yen Japan, 2012)
Yours for: £21,990
But they've never had enough power to go with the looks, whereas this could fix that. And though I'm not a fan of big spoilers, like the article says, it looks just about restrained enough to be in-keeping with the overall looks. I like it a lot.
The only challenge is the money..... that's a hell of a premium that it's carrying, when almost all the other "standard" CRZ on sale are 1/3rd the price.
Others have commented on the price, but given the rarity and condition I think it's fair. Their are far more shabby Focus Mk1 RS and Escort Mk 2's fetching far more than this. Not a fair comparison, but I'm sure someone can come up with a better one.
I like it.
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