The Honda CR-Z iCF Mugen hybrid hot hatch

Honda sent their CR-Z iCF hybrid to performance tuning experts at Mugen. The changes have altered the motive of the car altogether

In keeping with the times Honda launched the CR-Z iCF hybrid to be an economical and environmentally friendly hatchback. But clearly that market is strictly limited and the relentless pursuit of high performance still lives on. As a result and based on positive demand for hot hatchbacks Honda received at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2011, they decided to hand over the hybrid CR-Z iCF to Mugen, a firm that makes Honda cars go a whole lot faster. Honda’s intents may have been to have a good laugh, or on a more serious note, to see if the car could offer the best of both worlds. 

The end result is 175PS of power from the 1.5 litre petrol engine which now gets a supercharger and an intercooler along with a MUGEN Euro-mapped ECU.  The car will do 0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds and has a top speed in excess of 208 km/h. That’s fast, and do keep in mind that this car is still a hybrid. So, what we have here is a proper hot hatch that can be economical as well. Mind you if someone buys this car they will always be driving it as if they were being chased by a hungry lion, as is the case with hot hatchback drivers, in which case the economy figures are questionable. But nonetheless, Honda is adamant about having a slice of the hot hatchback market and as you can see they will go to any length to get that slice. 

Martin Moll, Head of Honda (UK) marketing said, "MUGEN Euro magic has created a super responsive yet eco-conscious model building on our sporting credentials and giving us the ability to compete in the "hot hatch" marketplace as we move into 2012."  The car will be available from spring of 2012, sadly though it will only be sold in the UK.