Honda Civic Type-R Mugen review

What is it?
Thanks to the likes of the 210hp VW Golf GTI, 230hp Renault Mégane R26R and the 305hp Ford Focus RS, the poor old Honda Civic Type-R and its puny non-turbocharged198hp seems a bit soft these days. So that’s why the Japanese firm has got its official tuner Mugen to give the Type-R a thorough gym session to get it back on the pace.

What’s it like inside?
Technically, the Mugen Civic Type-R is a prototype, so it’s a one of a kind experiment to give the brand’s rep a boost and to gauge the public’s reaction to a hardcore Civic. And first on the list of improvements was to junk a fair portion of the interior. There’s no back seats, and the front seats have been replaced by some particularly figure-hugging Recaros. There are proper race-spec harnesses too, and the already quick gearlever is now connected to the box via a short shift kit.

What’s it like on the outside?
As you can see, Mugen has treated the Civic Type-R to a Fast and the Furious makeover. So there’s composite front body panels, lightweight forged alloy wheels and a cartoonish rear wing.

Mugen is first and foremost an engine tuner. So while the body addenda might not be the best-considered additions, the revisions to the engine are where the magic has happened. The standard 2.0-litre unit has a new airbox, ECU, intake manifold, pistons, throttle body, camshaft, valve springs and stainless steel exhaust. This gives 240hp and 213Nm of torque, up 42hp and 19Nm respectively.

What’s it like to drive?
If you’ve seen a BTCC race recently you’ll know what the Civic Type-R Mugen sounds like. The engine has a sharp metallic wail that resonates around the stripped-out cabin. It’s certainly not what you’d call quiet.

The completely revised suspension does make the ride feel pretty damn firm around town. But the flip side of this is that the Mugen corners with virtually no bodyroll. Grip is sensational too, thanks to the track-spec tyres. The new brakes are stunning and the new short shift gearbox/race clutch are slick and quick. It’s hardcore.

Verdict
The Civic Type-R Mugen does what Honda set out to do – put the shine back onto the Type-R’s badge. Granted its high-revving engine, stripped out interior and hardcore componentry aren’t for everyone. And neither is the whopping £35grand projected price. But for those who love high-revving hardcore Hondas, this Mugen version will be right up their alley.