Mugen RR offers front -wheel drive cars to a new level. We test the only sample in the UK.
I noticed the largest and most desired on the planet Honda Civic another two hundred meters, when my attention took possession of the bloody red color and the bright splendor of black knitting needles on wheels. Even at such a distance, I can determine the first -class thing, and approaching with each step, the type of Mugen RR “overwhelms” with incendiary details.
The owner of this splendor, Vagar Ahmed, cheerfully jumps out of the salon to shake my hand. The driver of the car that rolled behind Mugen to the roadside platform joins us and I also shake his hand. I logically assume that this is a friend of Vagar. The Wagar decides that this is my friend. However, this person is not familiar to any of us; He simply turns out to be a fan of Honda and wants to know if this machine is sold! “This is crazy,” says the vagar, having received a car from the importers Performance Centre Manchester just a few days ago. – Wherever you stop, the same thing is everywhere – you find yourself in the crowd of people.”This is evidence of three things: an irresistible craving for Civic a limited series, the attractiveness of cars combining the names Honda and Mugen, and the all -seeing eye of the Internet. Civic Mugen RR (if you were cool, say “Dubl R”, and not growl aki lion) went on sale in Japan last September and all 300 stated copies were covered in just ten minutes. This copy, probably, will remain the only look in the foggy albion, as the RR houses change the owner for a higher price. While the standard Civic Type-R on the Japanese market is sold for 2, 8 million yen, this Mugen was sold for 4, 8 million yen.
This is a really good jump-about 8 thousand pounds-because at first glance small changes have been made, already inspiring respect for JDM Civic Type-R. The more you dig deeper, the more perfection you discover and the more believable the Mugen statement about the construction of a perfect front -wheel drive car sounds. Mugen is well known for the tuning and styling of the Honda parts, but everything on Dabble r is unique and cannot be sold in parts. Take at least 18-inch forged wheels with seven-beam knitting needles and you cannot resist, so as not to get the whole RR whole. Do not forget the modified front and rear bumpers made of carbon fiber, ventilated aluminum hood and a new rear spoiler, also from carbonate, with an additional Gurney wing. Despite the light details to which you can safely add carbon seats from Recaro, Mugen claims that RR is only 10 kilos more lightly than Type-R, thereby demonstrating that the machine was originally “skinny”. Here you will not find a significant increase in power. In conceptual form, RR prophesied 260 liters. With., 2. The 2-liter version of the famous K20A engine, but the serial version remains faithful to the original 2-liter motor. Note that from 240 liters. With. This is still more power than a regular unit for 225 liters. With., Thanks to the new distribution ramparts tuned with 4-3-1 exhaust manifold, high-performance catalysts for cleaning exhaust gases, and thick double exhaust pipes integrated into the rear diffuser.
Now we are on the verge of turning into ardent fans of the Civic Type-R of Japanese production, with its in-line four-cylinder mechanical heart, beating in the rhythm of 9000 rpm, with a differential of high friction, and road slides. Mugen is exposed as a more purposeful car, but my cynical half whispers that it is akin to the choice between disposable razor with four blades or five, that is, mainly the difference in perception. Nevertheless, Mugen was noticeably faster on the TSUKUBA ring in Japan, so, with the consent of Vagar, we are going to make sure that he can show himself to the West Circuit Badferd. But first we will find out how Mugen behaves on an ordinary road. Climbing into the lair of black and red shades, I am comfortable, noting that the back of the seat is fitted quite tightly even for my modest physique. A trio of auxiliary devices is installed above the slot for the radio, and a small and simple aluminum plate on which the number “178” is knocked out on the central console.
Turn the key, click on the red start button and, like the serial Type-R, a 16-valve in a rowing 4-cylinder engine will fiercely come to life to calm down immediately, changing the anger to a light, even and shy rumbling of the idle. Short shifts in Mugen’s gearboxes are verified and switch so smoothly that there is not a hint that the engine of this car has another side. On these roads class B, attention is drawn to the stability and collapse of driving.
It is tougher than on the deprived of softness of a standard suspension, in addition, RR seems underestimated, although this effect can produce a more voluminous aerodynamic threshold of the door. I agree, this is an elastic chassis, and while the road is under control, it will never disappoint.
The steering is surprisingly light and willingly reports on any fossa and protrusions that fall under the Bridge Bridgestone Re070. But the most favorable was the impression of the brakes: Mugen mounted his own composite brake discs and reinforced hoses with the Brembo system, so that at each point of movement the constantly increasing power of mechanisms is noticeable. Selected impressions, of the best today. The torque of this motor is slightly lower, but it does not matter, since the tachometer hand usually freezes next to 6000 rpm. The “Voice” of the motor is gaining strength, the push in the back of the seat increases to the blow and it seems that the whole machine acquires the purpose of the take -off fighter. The peak capacity was marked by 8000 rpm, but this engine can generate a useful “Furious” to the very boundaries of its capabilities – to the mark of 9000 Uly/min. As always, it is the engine that needs to be paid all attention. After all, it is still strange to cut a series of turns in the insane 6500 rpm in second gear, waiting for the straightened highway when you can squeeze the entire potential of a high -cost “beast”. Strange as it may seem, you can’t find such problems on Bedford Autodrome. I don’t see any special differences between RR and Type-R, except that Mugen is a little tougher, so I do not wait for outstanding indicators and an advantage of Type-R achievements-1: 31. 0. However, despite the feeling of insufficient controllability, as if the front axle copes with that power and moment, at the limit of capabilities, RR needed only a couple of circles to reach the record of its brother. Mugen has only 800 kilometers of mileage, but on the new West Circuit we tested Type-R with the same indicator, so everything is honest here. Cooing after a pair of circles, RR shows 1: 29. 3. That’s how? Analyzing the passage of both machines, Mugen reaches a few more speeds, and wins by saving on steep turns of the last section of the circle. Can Mugen RR be called a perfect front -wheel drive car? Judging by the time of passing the circle, his record will not be broken for a long time. To make Civic faster on the track has become one of the main tasks of Mugen, so we can say with confidence that the goal has been achieved. Personally, I like the behavior on the track and road of the standard version. But to argue with the fact that Mugen RR remains the subject of my desires, perhaps I will not become.
