You Might Not Know, This Car is the Heartfelt Creation of the Mugen Founder

Original: Hon达誌 | Japanese Car Enthusiast Magazine | 2025-02-04 15:04:04

Many of you may know Honda's eldest son, Honda Bochun, but few realize that he did not follow in his father's footsteps by running Honda Motor Company. Instead, he founded Mugen—a team dedicated to modifying Honda vehicles. Even though many Honda presidents and regional managers once honed their skills with Mugen, Bochun remained an outsider in the Honda world.

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Though almost every modified Honda from Mugen eventually appears with a "Mugen" badge—even the heavily modified models like the Mugen RR or RA—has there ever been a Honda built by Honda Bochun or Mugen that only carries the "H" emblem? Of course there is! It is the Turbo version of the first-generation City, launched in September 1982. This Honda marked the very first street-legal original model crafted by Mugen and Honda Bochun. 🚗💨

City Turbo was born in 1982. The first-generation City (chassis code AA) was designed primarily as a compact urban commuter car. Although its size was small compared to many vehicles on Japanese roads, it was not a Kei-car—it was larger and featured an engine with a displacement above the Kei-car limit. The standard City came with an "ER" 1.2L inline-four engine equipped with Honda’s CVCC-II technology, producing only 63 horsepower. However, with a curb weight of just 655 kg (even the heaviest version under 1 ton), its power-to-weight ratio was impressive.

Honda Bochun, determined to prove Mugen’s capabilities in the aftermarket tuning arena, transformed the unassuming City into a “land rocket” by adding a turbocharger and various performance upgrades. Not only did he boost power, but he also improved the suspension for even greater handling—the City was already equipped with four-wheel independent suspension.

For those familiar with Mugen, it is well known that the company was established in 1973. Although its early years saw great success in motorcycles and Formula racing, the field of aftermarket tuning for civilian vehicles was not widely recognised. Knowing this, Honda Bochun was eager to demonstrate Mugen's prowess through a single car. The turbocharged upgrade on the City—akin to the “Super Turbo Kit with KKK turbocharger” developed for the CR-X Pro in 1983—became an instant sensation.

In November 1983, the City Turbo received a facelift with a wide-body kit and increased track width, enabling the use of wider tyres. Every detail—from the compact IHI RHB51 turbocharger (developed jointly by IHI and Honda) to lightweight engine components made of aluminium, titanium, and magnesium alloys—was meticulously upgraded. With a maximum boost of 0.82 bar, the turbo ER engine could produce 100 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 15 kg·m of torque at 3000 rpm. Considering the City Turbo’s weight of only around 700 kg, its performance was nothing short of phenomenal. 😎🔥

Unique features such as the three-spoke sports steering wheel and a battle-ready instrument cluster—with a centrally placed tachometer, digital speed display, and boost gauge—set the City Turbo apart. Its successor, the City Turbo II, arrived in November of the following year with further upgrades including an official wide-body kit and revised front and rear track dimensions for improved high-speed stability. Although the Turbo II’s top speed dropped by 4 kph due to increased weight, its engine remained stable and powerful with an upgraded intercooler, larger throttle body, and an improved compressor. The Turbo II produced 110 horsepower and 16.3 kg·m of torque, though some purists feel it lacks the raw excitement of the original City Turbo.

Production of both the City Turbo and Turbo II ceased in 1986. It is a pity that such an extraordinary car was never succeeded by another model. Imagine if today’s successors—like the Fit—could inherit the spirit of such an awe-inspiring vehicle! 🚀✨