Mugen Honda Civic Type R – Official

Well, to be entirely truthful it’s only ‘sort-of’ official.

As we reported late last month, Mugen are working on a hot version of the slightly disappointing current generation of Honda’s hot-hatch – the Honda Civic Type R. But all we knew then was that Mugen were working on it, and Mugen didn’t want to say anything. But now they have come out and announced that they are working on a Prototype Mugen Honda Civic Type R. Yeah, right.

So yes, we’re going to get the Mugen Civic Type R at some point, even if Mugen are hedging their bets by saying it’s just a prototype. But they are still being cagey about exactly what they have planned. They have said they  “hope to develop one of the quickest point to point front-wheel-drive road cars in the country”, which is something to look forward to. They have also said they will take the Type R’s engine and tune it to produce more power and torque, as well as developing the brakes, exhaust and suspension. Good.

But frankly, whatever Mugen do, it is unlikely to disappoint in the way the latest Civic Type R has. It has gone from being the thinking-man’s hot-hatch to an overweight and bloated also-ran. It needs an injection of something, and Mugen – who make a Mugen version of the 4-door Civic Type R in Japan – are undoubtedly the guys to do it.

Once Mugen come clean and give us the full gen on the Mugen Civic Type R we’ll let you know.