2010 Honda Civic Type R Mugen : First Drive

Maybe you've heard of Mugen, the Japanese tuning outfit that specializes in making street-legal Hondas hotter when it's not building race car engines. Founded in 1973 by Hirotoshi Honda, son of Soichiro, Mugen (the name means 'infinite' or 'unlimited' in Japanese) has earned a solid reputation in its homeland. From 1991 to 2000, for example, Mugen built and prepped engines for a number of Formula One teams, including Tyrell, Prost, Ligier and Jordan. Despite such achievements, the Mugen name isn't yet as well known as, for example, Mercedes-Benz's go-fast division AMG.

With the recent confirmation that Mugen's European division, based in Northampton, England, is to build a limited run of super-quick, ultra-exclusive and hyper-expensive Civic Type Rs (with Honda's full approval), it seems that the brand is seeking a little long-overdue recognition outside Japan.

Moving into uncharted territory, Mugen was cautious. Although it had earlier sold every one of 300 Civic Type RR sedans it built for the Japanese market in a six-minute online frenzy, Mugen dipped its toe in British waters with a 'concept'. This was exhibited at shows and loaned to key media outlets over period of several months, and the reaction carefully gauged. The Mugen men must have liked what they heard and read, because the decision to build a run of "up to 20" duplicates during 2010 was announced in late October.

Based on the 2.0-liter, 198-hp Civic Type R three-door hatchback built in Honda's British factory, Mugen's engine modifications up the already impressive max power figure by 20 percent.

It's a classic tuner job; high-compression pistons, new cams, free breathing induction system, totally new stainless steel exhaust system, and a Mugen ECU that permits a 500 rpm increase over the standard Honda H20A engine's 8000-rpm ceiling.

2010 Honda Civic Type R Mugen
2010 Honda Civic Type R Mugen