Truth to be said, the lukewarm reception of the reborn CR-Z has much to do with its puny 122hp hybrid powertrain – in comparison, the second-generation CR-X from the late 1980s came with 150 ponies that also had to move a lot less weight.
In stark contrast to the production CR-Z that employs the use of a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid-electric system, Honda and its racing partner Mugen have come up with a far more interesting powertrain for the competition model that will run in the GT300 class of Japan’s SUPER GT Series.
The new Mugen CR-Z GT uses a 2.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine backed by a racing hybrid system. The Japanese company has not yet disclosed performance figures.
Honda and the Team Mugen operated by M-TEC will debut that racing model during the 2012 SUPER GT Series Round 4 SUGO GT 300km Race held on July 28-29.
In the meantime, you can check out the Mugen CR-Z GT in the photos and a video from the test runs at the Twin Ring Motegi track that follow below the jump.
PHOTO GALLERY
VIDEO