D Car — July 2004

A purpose-built machine for pushing hard on mountain roads or the circuit. The Mugen Civic has been tuned to bring out the car’s natural character. At first the suspension may feel too firm around town, but take it onto a mountain road and it becomes incredibly fun. It has a high limit, plenty of suspension travel, and a solid body. The interior also makes you want to drive hard. The other test cars came with audio systems, but this one has none; its suede steering wheel and full bucket seat practically say, ‘Go attack those mountain roads!’ And when you do, the performance is exhilarating — a delightfully uncompromising tuning machine.

Tokorozawa 500

Fitted with an FRP front under-spoiler, sport grille, rear wing, side/jet ducts , and aero bonnet. The rear wing offers three angle settings.

Type R

[Mugen]

Inquiries: M-TEC, Tel. 048-462-3141

A hardcore machine built for attacking winding roads

The aero bonnet uses a CFRP/GFRP composite. An air-intake duct beside the grille feeds the air cleaner.

A full bucket seat, roll bar, and suede steering wheel; no audio system. This was the most hardcore interior of the test cars.

Only the air cleaner and box have been changed; the engine itself is otherwise stock. The ignition-coil cover is now FRP, which alone adds a racing look.

Forged one-piece wheels that look especially light are paired with Potenza RE-01 tires — more than enough for street and mountain-road driving…

…performance.

Verdict

Installed parts (excerpt): front under-spoiler ¥55,650; sport grille ¥33,600; ¥31,500; aero bonnet ¥176,400; rear wing ¥102,900; air cleaner/box ¥68,250; sport exhaust ¥99,750; sport suspension ¥105,000; wheels, MF10 — ¥268,800.

This is a Mugen spec meant to be driven hard. It would be incredibly fun on mountain roads or a circuit. The styling is bold; adding an eye-line accent to the headlights would make it even cooler…

…maybe?

And more

D Car — July 2004

About this issue

Page 212 — English draft translation