Mugen-Tuned Honda CR-Z Coming?

While the spotlight at Tokyo was primarily focused on the Toyota FT-86 Concept and Lexus LFA, Honda made a performance introduction of it's own - the CR-Z Concept.

The CR-Z has been shown before in concept form, but this new one is very close to the one approved for production, serving as a preview.

It's CR- designation and styling clearly reference the inspiration for the concept - the CRX hatchback. To this day the CRX is mentioned as an example of a sporty, fun to drive car that gets excellent fuel economy.

In fact, during the spike in fuel prices last year, the CRX was commanding high prices on the used car market . That leaves Honda with a pretty good basis for a new model, especially for international markets and when fuel prices spike again.

While fuel economy has always been a part of the CR- equation, fun has been as well - and if reports are correct, tuning house Mugen plans to provide that. Hybrids haven't seemed like the best place to start for performance, but Mugen sees things differently.

Autocar reports Hiroki Toyoda (ironic!), the vice-president of Mugen, saying that a tuned CR-Z is "possible" for the company. He also said that the hybrid powertrain in the car would create new set tuning opportunities, with the electric motor acting like a turbocharger at low speeds.

It is true that the torque afforded by the electric motor in a hybrid can make for an engaging driving experience. It's up to manufacturers and tuners like Mugen though to show us that it can be done. I look forward to seeing what they have planned.