The 2023 and newer Civic Type R is a pretty wild-looking hatchback by compact hatch standards. However, the company founded by Soichiro Honda's son and Masao Kimura has taken the FL5 to the next level with the so-called Group A kit.
Focused on aerodynamics, the Mugen body kit comprises FR10 aluminum wheels that save 22 pounds (10 kilos) over stock, a large rear wing, side skirts, lower front and rear spoilers, and some garnish for the front bumper. The aforementioned wheels come with high-strength lug nuts made of chrome molybdenum steel. Mugen says that its aerodynamic kit improves downforce by 25 percent, although the Japanese firm did not say at what speed.
The FL5 is rated at 171 miles per hour, meaning 275 kilometers per hour in the metric system, whereas 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) takes in the ballpark of five seconds. Car and Driver managed to record 4.9 seconds, onto a 13.5-second quarter mile at a trap speed of 106 mph (171 kph).
Mugen's Group A kit wouldn't be complete without a look-at-me exhaust system, which is joined by LED taillights. In addition to the single-tipped exhaust, Mugen further sweetens the deal with performance dampers for improved stability and ride quality. Inside the Japanese hatch, carbon-fiber garnish can be found on the center console and the flat-bottom steering wheel. Black Alcantara with contrast red stitching for the shift knob and shift boot is also available.
The company is much obliged to sell prospective customers full bucket seats for the driver and front passenger, with said buckets weighing less than the factory units while flaunting more lateral support. Goodies further include Mugen-branded floor mats, a trunk mat with a sporty look, ventilated wind deflectors, high-performance brake fluid, sports-type brake pads, and competition-type brake pads.
Photo: Mugen
Over in the United States, these parts can be purchased through King Motorsports Unlimited exclusively because King is the only authorized distributor of Mugen parts in this part of the world. The Alcantara-wrapped shift knob carries a suggested price of $188 on the vendor's website.
Unfortunately, King Motorsports Unlimited doesn't have all of the described parts in stock at the moment of reporting. Mugen isn't helping either, for the Japanese outfit hasn't shared any pricing details. Based on the Alcantara shift knob's retail price, the downforce-enhancing parts aren't cheap.
King Motorsports Unlimited lists the rear under spoiler, side skirts, and front spoiler at $2,065. Not long now, the Group B aero kit will be launched with a few more carbon-fiber bits than Group A, including a carbon-fiber hood and carbon-fiber vented front fenders.
On a related note, did you know that Honda's latest Civic Type R is a wee bit punchier in Japan than the Civic Type R for the United States market? Honda advertises the FL5 with 330 ps in the Land of the Rising Sun, meaning 325 horsepower, whereas the FL5 for North America belts out 315 ponies. On the other hand, there is no difference in terms of peak torque (420 Nm in Japan or 310 pound-feet in America).
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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