Hot Jap import

In the early part of the last decade there was a huge upturn in the number of high performance Japanese cars on the street. The Honda Civic became a quick favourite with young car enthusiasts who liked to tune and modify it. The Honda Civic type R became equally popular with 22-28 years olds looking for Porsche like performance from a practical hatchback.

With stricter EU emission regulations, high cost of fuel and a downturn in the automotive market the number of hot hatches being launched has reduced significantly. Car manufacturers are adapting to the market and producing smaller, more economical and more environmentally friendly cars.

There is a ray of light for us car enthusiasts or petrol heads, Honda and Mugen have revealed the first official Honda CR-Z MUGEN photographs. It’s great news because early tests of a prototype car based on a standard Honda CR-Z and a mid-tune engine have seen 0-60mph times similar to the Honda Civic Type R. A further 15% increase in power over this 'stage 1' engine and over 50kg weight reduction from the chassis, overall performance is set to meet the original targets set by MUGEN.

Colin Whittamore from MUGEN Euro commented, "Early fuel consumption tests have also been encouraging. We've retained the three driving modes from the standard car and economy ranges from 50+mpg in 'eco' mode to mid-30 mpg when tapping into the supercharged power in a special 'MUGEN' mode."

0-60 sprint times similar to the Type R is phenomenal, remember the CR-Z is an electric-petrol hybrid. If we can get a car that is economical, kind to the earth and provides enough excitement to get the blood rushing then it is definitely a very positive move by Honda.  As good as the new Honda Civic in Dartford is, we really do need a high performance Honda.