Mugen RC20GT Civic Type R Has...Interesting Changes
Mugen has taken the current "it" Honda and managed to make a stock Type R look plain.
Howdy, Partner
If Honda concepts were wild bulls, then this wouldn’t be considered Japanese Tuner Mugen’s first time at the rodeo. In fact, Mugen has worked with Honda extensively in the past, notably when the two collaborated on to the little-produced but critically-lauded 2008 Honda Mugen Si. Their newly unveiled Mugen Civic Type R concept for the Tokyo Auto Salon has not been met with quite as many accolades, but for concept fans, it’s still pretty cool to see these two cowboys riding together again.
Photos Courtesy of Auto Blog
Spoiler Alert: Spoiler Alert
Mugen has dubbed this concept the “RC20GT,” the design of which is based off the current Honda Type R. And while concept aficionados have lauded the car’s performance improvements, it appears the exterior has been polarizing, to say the least. The car’s angular front face has many a critic squirming in their seat, as does the car's spoiler which looks like something more reminiscent of a watercraft addition.
>>Join the conversation about the Mugen RC20GT right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!
Eyes Wide Open
Also in the rear, the Type R’s tri-tipped, trick exhaust has been replaced by one rather restrained pipe — albeit it’s the tip of a fully-titanium exhaust system. The cars carbon-fiber bumper supports new side skirts, while small cartoon eye decals are awkwardly positioned up front, their steely-stare atop 22-spoked racing rims and 20-inch wheels.
>>Join the conversation about the Mugen RC20GT right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!
Rocket to the Flag
Inside, specialty "pro-spec" adjustable suspension adds impressive control, as do an improved braking system. Stylish bucket seats sporting harnesses add to the car’s track-enthused style, although one wonders if such seats will make it past the cutting room floor if the car ever does enter wide-scale production.
>>Join the conversation about the Mugen RC20GT right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!
A Powerful Gaze
Mugen has kept the Type R’s powerplant unchanged, meaning that the car offers 306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque —morning than enough for the front wheels to handle, particularly since they are under the ever-watchful eye of the vehicle’s cartoon soul.
>>Join the conversation about the Mugen RC20GT right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!
Tune In Tokyo
Love it or hate it, those wishing to get a glimpse of this Mugen-Honda collaboration will have to go to the Tokyo Auto Salon, where Mugen has a few other custom cars like a Mugen-Honda Insight and a Mugen-Honda CR-V are also on display. No word yet, however, as to whether those concepts have cartoon eye decals that will be glimpsing back at you too.
>>Join the conversation about the Mugen RC20GT right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!
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