A Decade Later, A Surprising Left-Hand Drive: MUGEN RR

The "Mugen 無限" brand underwent significant strategic changes after integrating into M-TEC. For instance, the supply of high-performance mechanical parts, especially those designed for private racing vehicles, gradually decreased. Meanwhile, the production of exterior and interior parts expanded, splitting into two upgrade directions alongside the Modulo series to cater to different needs. Additionally, their professional racing business grew substantially, with offerings like Mugen RC and NSX GT3 race cars. A notable step forward was the launch of the "Completed Car"business.

Some might argue, “Hasn’t Honda been selling modified cars and parts for years? Isn’t this the same?” The answer is: absolutely not! Before the HONDA Civic Mugen RR, all street-legal modification projects were presented as Concept Cars. If the market showed interest, these cars were later disassembled into parts for individual sale.

The Birth of the MUGEN RR

On June 28, 2007, M-TEC introduced the Honda Civic MUGEN RR, based on the eighth-generation JDM Civic FD2 Type R. The engine remained unchanged, so its chassis code was still FD2. Sales began on September 13, 2007, limited to just 300 units in a single exclusive Milano Red color. Priced at 4.77 million yen, the MUGEN RR sold out within 10 minutes of release.

Insiders claimed that very few were sold to the public—most were allocated to “insiders,” including Hong Kong’s Mugen distributor, Man Auto. As Mugen’s first fully modified production car, the MUGEN RR’s sales success demonstrated what it takes to create a genuinely fast car. Many Honda owners mistakenly believe that adding horsepower or advanced adjustable components would instantly create a track weapon. However, under the RR’s hood, there are no overly complex devices. Its only noticeable difference from a standard FD2 is a carbon fiber air intake box, alongside a full Mugen RR-specific exhaust system.

Despite only a 15-horsepower increase from the FD2’s 225 hp to 240 hp, the MUGEN RR could lap Tsukuba Circuit two seconds faster than a stock FD2.

Mugen's Philosophy in Creating the RR

The philosophy behind the MUGEN RR is straightforward:

• Power doesn’t need to be overwhelming; the best cars strike a balance between power and control.
• The foundation of this balance lies in weight reduction.

Mugen employed lightweight materials throughout the car:

• Wheels: Custom 18-inch forged aluminum wheels by RAYS, reducing weight by 10.4kg.
• Brakes: A lighter braking system, cutting 6kg.
• Exterior: Carbon fiber bumpers (-1.7kg) and a specially thinned aluminum hood (-3kg).

Total weight savings reached 31.86kg, focusing primarily on reducing weight at the front of the car, improving handling for this front-wheel-drive platform.

Weight Adjustments

However, two components added weight:

• Exhaust system: +8.3kg (304 stainless steel).
• Rear bumper: +2.77kg.

The Engine: K20A

The K20A engine is widely regarded as one of the finest inline-four engines, unmatched for its high-revving capability. Drawing on innovations from past versions (Euro-R CL7, Integra Type-R DC5), this FD2 Type R engine introduced a new 64mm throttle body and a compression ratio of 11.7:1, producing 225hp and 21.9kgm of torque.

For the MUGEN RR, Mugen focused on low-end torque. By optimizing the exhaust system and engine management software, torque increased to 22.2kgm at 7000 rpm. The VTEC engagement point remained at 5500 rpm, delivering linear, thrilling acceleration.

Suspension and Handling

The SHOWA-produced Mugen suspension kit, featuring fixed dampers, provided exceptional balance. Designed specifically for the RR, the setup eliminated front-heavy tendencies, enabling precise cornering. The result? Mugen RR lapped Tsukuba Circuit two seconds faster than a stock FD2, thanks to its superior front-rear weight balance and reduced rotational inertia.

Unparalleled Exclusivity

Only 300 units of the MUGEN RR were produced, and all were sold in Milano Red. Its components were custom-madeand unavailable in Mugen’s regular catalog. Replacement parts require the car’s unique serial number and certificate for ordering. Today, well-maintained units command over 10 million yen on Japan’s second-hand market, with some priced at 14 million yen.

Legacy

The MUGEN RR remains a benchmark for 2.0L naturally aspirated performance sedans, unrivaled in its era. From its meticulous engineering to its unparalleled driving experience, the RR embodies Mugen’s pursuit of perfection, leaving a legacy that endures more than a decade later.