- Mitsuoka will build 100 units of the Challenger-inspired hatch it had previewed as a concept.
- Based on the Honda Civic, it retains the standard 1.5-liter turbo engine and six-speed manual.
- Minimal interior changes have been made, although the M55 does rock blue leather seats.
Do you remember Mitsuoka, the small Japanese coachbuilder that made headlines back in 2006 with the release of the bizarre Orochi? Well, the brand is still alive and kicking, and it has just launched the production version of its latest creation. known as the M55 Zero Edition. Initially revealed as a concept last year, the car was confirmed for production this February and is now officially priced at ¥8,085,000, or roughly $52,300 at current exchange rates.
Building a car from scratch is a tall order for any niche automaker, so Mitsuoka took a pragmatic route by using the 11th-generation Honda Civic Hatchback as the M55’s foundation. The shape of the Honda is unmistakable, but Mitsuoka has gone to town on the exterior design, taking heavy inspiration from the Dodge Challenger to create a funky-looking hatchback with retro design elements and modern underpinnings.
Read: Mitsuoka Is Producing That Bizarre Dodge Challenger-esque Honda Civic
One might have expected Mitsuoka to base the M55 on the flagship Civic Type R, but it hasn’t done that. Instead, it opted for a lower-spec model equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. This powerplant, paired with a six-speed manual transmission driving the front wheels, delivers 180 hp (134 kW) and 177 lb-ft (240 Nm) of torque.
On the outside, every part across the front fascia has been replaced. The headlights mimic those of the Dodge Challenger, paired with an elongated grille to complete the muscle car-inspired look. A set of black, aftermarket wheels have then been bolted on and are wrapped in Michelin tires. Like the front, the rear of the M55 is quite radical and sports unique taillights and a distinctive bumper, again inspired by the American coupe.
The interior is mainly standard Civic, although Mitsuoka has retrimmed the seats in plush new blue leather and ditched the original Honda badge from the steering wheel.
Inside, the cabin is mostly standard Civic, though Mitsuoka has added a premium touch by retrimming the seats in plush blue leather. The Honda badge on the steering wheel has also been swapped out for Mitsuoka’s emblem.
Production will be strictly limited to just 100 units. Mitsuoka will begin accepting applications from interested buyers starting January 19. To secure a spot in line, applicants will need to submit a ¥550,000 (~$3,500) deposit. However, due to what the company describes as “overwhelming” demand, buyers will be entered into a lottery system to determine who gets the keys to this bizarre looking hatchback.
