Barretts Latest News
Honda Hybrid Charging On
FULL-BLOWN HONDA HYBRID CHARGING ON
CR-Z MUGEN to be supercharged and deliver around 200PS
MUGEN Euro’s tuned Honda CR-Z remains on course for its world debut at Goodwood in July.
MUGEN has revealed that the high-performance CR-Z hybrid will use a supercharger to deliver over 50 per cent more power and torque from the Honda’s petrol-electric drivetrain.
The tuned version of the hybrid coupe is expected to produce around 200PS, and 181lb.ft of torque, with significantly enhanced performance throughout the rev range. The car retains the Honda IMA electric motor and the original 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine, which has been rebuilt to MUGEN specification with bespoke upgraded and strengthened internal components.
In order to give a fully integrated and smooth power delivery, MUGEN Euro has developed the MUGEN iCF system, which allows all the elements of the electro-mechanical system to work in harmony.
“The idea was to use the significant advantage of the early torque provided by the Honda IMA electric motor, then increase the torque available from the petrol engine gradually, to first maintain and then increase this,” says Colin Whittamore from MUGEN Euro. “A supercharger and complementary electronics allow us to very neatly map the IMA to the extra power and torque of the engine in a unique package, giving a smooth, integrated and powerful driving experience.”
As well as improvements under the bonnet, MUGEN has used its extensive motorsport and Honda tuning experience to further develop the chassis dynamics, with 5-step adjustable dampers fitted front and rear, an increase in track width and a large reduction in overall weight.
Bigger brake discs and 4-pot monobloc callipers help stop the more powerful car, while 17-inch forged alloy MUGEN GP wheels reduce unsprung mass.
Elsewhere, the CR-Z gets some cosmetic enhancements in the form of MUGEN body parts, including front and rear under spoilers, side skirts and a rear wing.
The Honda CR-Z MUGEN makes its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.
It is a joint project between Honda (UK) and MUGEN Euro – the Northampton-based subsidiary of Honda’s long standing tuning partner MUGEN. In 2009, MUGEN Euro produced the Civic Type R MUGEN, an extreme, 240PS version of Honda popular hot hatch.
At this stage, the CR-Z MUGEN is being developed purely as a one-off prototype, with no plans for a production version. Labels: CR-Z MUGEN, Goodwood, Honda CR-Z, Honda Hybrid, Hybrid Coupe
JAZZ Practicality Challenge
THE WINNER OF THE JAZZ PRACTICALITY CHALLENGE IS...
Robert and Nicky Marshall, from the Midland Group of Motoring Writers, have been crowned Honda's Ultimate Jazz Practicality Challenge Champions after taking a speedy 13.7 seconds to fill the Jazz Hybrid's boot with an array of gardening equipment.
Members of the Western, Southern, Midland and Northern motoring writers groups attending the regional Jazz launches were up against the clock as they filled the Jazz’s boot with gardening tools, including a wheel barrow and garden gnome, to show off the car’s practicality.
The quickest from each group won a garden centre gift voucher and automatically went into the running for the Ultimate Jazz Practicality Challenge Champion title and prize of a new self-propelled Honda Izy lawnmower.
Competition was fierce and the results were close but Robert’s speedy time of 13.7 seconds proved hard to beat.
Commenting on the win, Robert Marshall said; “As the Jazz features a wide rear aperture and an ingenious rear seat folding facility, the backs of which provide a flat base that is level with the boot floor, we piled most items into a wheelbarrow and lifted that into the boot, to achieve our winning time, without damaging either the car or its cargo.”
| Top 3 Results table |
| Place | Team | Group | Time |
| 1st | Robert Marshall | Midland Group of Motoring Writers | 13.7 |
| 2nd | Paul Harris | Southern Group of Motoring Writers | 13.8 |
| 3rd | Alyson Marlow | Western Group of Motoring Writers | 15.1 |
Labels: Honda Jazz, Honda New Jazz, Jazz Practicality Challenge Champion
High-Performance Honda CR-Z
MUGEN EURO to build high-performance Honda CR-Z
MUGEN Euro is developing a highly-tuned version of Honda’s CR-Z, which will deliver “Type R-like” performance from the hybrid’s petrol-electric powertrain – and may offer even better fuel economy.
This faster, more powerful car will make its world debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.
The CR-Z MUGEN will feature enhancements to both the 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine and the Honda IMA system to boost power and torque, while bespoke brakes and suspension will be fitted to improve the chassis dynamics.
The major engine changes, and those made to exhaust and induction, may even result in greater mpg and lower CO2 emissions during some conditions. However, at this early development stage, final power, torque and fuel economy figures are not yet known.
Lightweight components, including a carbon fibre bonnet, will be employed to lower the overall weight, and the car will use MUGEN alloy wheels to reduce unsprung mass.
To improve aerodynamics and give the car an even more sporting look, MUGEN body parts will be added, including front and rear bumpers, and a spoiler.
“We wanted to extend the performance of the CR-Z,” says Hiro Toyoda of MUGEN Euro. “It is already a fun car to drive, with an excellent chassis, but we thought that with more power and enhanced torque delivery it could be even more exciting. However, as with all MUGEN projects, we have stayed true to the Honda design and philosophy, and the electric motor is still a vital ingredient to boost performance and economy.”
The CR-Z MUGEN is a joint project between Honda (UK) and MUGEN Euro – the Northampton-based subsidiary of Honda’s long standing tuning partner MUGEN. In 2009, MUGEN Euro produced the Civic Type R MUGEN, an extreme, 240PS version of Honda popular hot hatch.
“This will be one quick hybrid,” says Martin Moll, Head of Marketing for Honda (UK). “With more torque, more power and MUGEN’s experience of working with Honda cars, we’re expecting great things. It promises to show how hybrid cars can be even more exciting to drive.”
At this stage, the CR-Z MUGEN is being developed purely as a one-off prototype, with no plans for a production version. Labels: 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine, CR-Z MUGEN, Goodwood Festival of Speed, Honda’s CR-Z, Type R-like
Honda Racing Team
HONDA RACING TEAM BTCC RACE REPORT - ROUNDS 1-3, BRANDS HATCH
The Honda Racing Team opened its 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship attack with a stirring victory at Brands Hatch on Sunday.
Matt Neal had a great start and qualified fastest for the opening race of the season but his lead was short lived when he was punted out by a rival, who was later penalised, on the first lap. However, Neal bounced back to show the new 2-litre turbocharged Civic’s potential with a lights-to-flag victory in the final round of the weekend. His victory was allied to a fighting seventh position in the second race.
Neal, who is fifth in the points after Brands Hatch, explained: “We’ve got to be pleased with what we’ve achieved this weekend but it could have been even more if I hadn’t have been knocked off the road in the opening race. Despite that, the performance has given me confidence. The potential in the car and the speed it’s shown straight out of the box has made me really optimistic.
“When the car is in clear air, we are very fast and it’s a strong car in qualifying,” added the former double champion. “We have christened the new engine and it’s performed perfectly first time out, which is a testament to the effort we’ve all put in. We aren’t going to stand still now and we will work harder than ever to stay at the front.”
One of the most remarkable stories of the weekend was Gordon Shedden. The Fife ace had a 130mph accident during practice on Saturday when a tyre failed but heroic work by the Honda Racing mechanics meant the machine was repaired in time for race day. Despite starting at the back of the pack, Flash scorched through the pack to record a sixth place finish in the opening round. In race two, he vaulted to second place to give the Honda Racing Team its first podium of the season.
“I’m proud of the whole team this weekend because what they did was nothing short of a miracle,” explained the 32-year-old. “My car was in bits after the incident in qualifying and the guys pulled out all the stops to put it back together. Everyone’s gone above and beyond the call of duty to give me a car to race in. What is incredible is that I didn’t only have a car to race, I had a quick car and I managed to score a podium.”
Following his remarkable second place, Shedden backed that up with a fighting fourth place in race three. His points tally means he’s fourth in the overall standings and, like Neal, he is full of enthusiasm for the season ahead.
“The car has got huge potential,” he added. “We have the positives of the turbocharged engine and we will learn more about the handling. We were hopeful, but we didn’t know what to expect until these opening rounds were finished. The Honda has performed better than we could have hoped for and we will move on to Donington Park with a lot of confidence.”
The second meeting of the British Touring Car Championship season takes place at Donington Park on April 16/17. Labels: Barretts Honda, British Touring Car Championship, Matt Neal
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