Mugen Attempts to Make the Honda Fit Shuttle Look Cool

When the people over at Honda’s tuning partner Mugen aren’t working on more interesting and unique projects like the Civic Type R and even the CR-Z, they are usually kept busy with the brand’s more mundane vehicles such as the newly introduced Fit Shuttle.

The Japan market only Fit Shuttle is a slightly taller, longer and more practical version of the Fit (also marketed as the Jazz in certain countries) which itself is a tall five-door subcompact model.

To make the Fit Shuttle more appealing to the younger crowd looking for something more dynamic in looks and handling, Mugen developed a series of styling and performance parts.

These include an aero kit comprising of a front bumper with optional LED fog lights, a Mugen grille with an illuminated ‘Hybrid’ logo, side skirts, a rear apron that makes space for a bespoke tail pipe and a roof spoiler. The car’s looks can be further enhanced with carbon fiber mirror caps and a choice of 15- or 16-inch alloy wheels in numerous designs.

Interior modifications are limited to a door sign light, a carbon mirror cover and two-tone floor mats.

Mugen also offers a sport exhaust system, a lowered suspension kit, high-performance brakes and sport air filters.

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Honda Mugen CR-Z RR Concept

The almost production ready Honda Mugen CR-Z Concept wasn’t the only product from the Japanese automaker’s in-house tuning company to debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Along with the street-legal CR-Z Concept Mugen also brought along a competition version bearing the ‘RR’ moniker. The conceptual Mugen CR-Z RR sports a more dynamic aero package comprising of bespoke parts such as the wider front and rear bumpers with air-vents, side skirts, a rear diffuser and larger rear wing.

The prototype rides on lightweight 18-inch alloy rims shot in specially developed tires.

The Japanese company remains mum about the Mugen CR-Z RR Concept’s mechanical and electrical hardware, bit for the record, the road-legal Mugen CR-Z is fitted with a modified version of the standard model’s powertrain, which comprises of a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and an IMA electric motor, developing 200 ponies.

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New HSV Black Edition Versions of Commodore Based Sedan, Station and Ute Models

General Motor’s Holden Special Vehicles unit in Australia is following in the footsteps of Mercedes-Benz’s AMG division as well as more recently, Porsche, with the presentation of a black-themed and named special edition series based on the E Series 3 range launched last September.
Making its world debut at the 2011 Australian motorshow in Melbourne, the SV Black Edition package is offered in the ClubSport R8, Maloo R8 and ClubSport R8 Tourer, which are the sports versions of the Commodore sedan, ute, and station wagon models respectively.
Despite the name, the SV Black Editions are available in four more colors other than Phanotm black, namely Alto Grey, Nitrate, Sting and Heron.
The “darkness” of the limited edition comes in the details starting with the exterior and the matte black trims on the front and sides as well as the “Vector” hood scoops and side vents. It continues with the new, 20-inch forged SV Performance alloy wheel finished in gloss black.
Inside, all models feature a unique finish on the console, instrument panel and steering wheel while special edition sill plates, Onyx leather trim, matte black badging and a subtle lip spoiler on the ClubSport R8 complete the package.
There are no upgrades under the hood with power coming from HSV’s 317 kilowatt (425HP), 6.2-liter LS3 V8 engine.
“I believe this is one of the best looking limited edition vehicle’s we have ever produced at HSV,” said HSV’s General Manager of Sales, Darren Bowler. “The matte black paint outs combined with an all new, forged alloy wheel and subtle badging gives these vehicles a truly unique HSV look. I am confident these limited edition models will become true collectors items,” he added.
HSV plans to limit production of the SV Black Edition package to 100 ClubSport R8s, 100 Maloo R8s and 25 ClubSport R8 Tourer’s. Prices for the SV Black Edition start at AU$67,990 for the Maloo R8, AU$71,990 for the Clubsport R8 and AU$72,990 for the ClubSport R8 Tourer. Sales officially start in September.

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Honda Announces All-New 2012 CR-V on its U.S. Website

Honda is trying to build some suspense around its forthcoming, brand-new 2012 CR-V crossover by making an announcement on its U.S. market website. All we get for now is a picture of a tunnel and a press blurb that doesn’t really say much other than that Honda will be revealing the successor to the current CR-V bit by bit in the next few months.
If you don’t feel like visiting Honda’s site, here’s what it says:

“With a new design—both inside and out, new features and new possibilities, the 2012 CR-V will set a new standard for the class. As a top-selling crossover for over five years, expectations for the 2012 CR-V are high and we're confident they will not only be met, but exceeded. Much more will be revealed over the next several months so be sure to sign up on this page to receive updates.”

The next iteration of the CR-V is expected to feature an uprated four-cylinder engine with a little more power and improved fuel efficiency over the current 2.4-liter lump, while the European version of the crossover will also be offered with a diesel unit. We’ve also heard rumors about the availability of a third-row of seats, but this has not been confirmed by Honda officials.
More to come in the next few weeks.

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Honda Fit Shuttle Officially On Sale In Japan: In Gas And Hybrid

Hοnda has launched a new compact wagοn in its home market οf Japan. Called the Fit Shuttle, the mini MPV cοmes in twο flavors: the Fit Shuttle 15X and the Fit Shuttle Hybrid. The 15X gets its name frοm the 1.5-liter i-VTEC motοr under the hood, which returns nearly 44 miles per gallοn using the Japanese 10·15 testing prοcedure, which matches that οf the standard Fit.

If yοu desire even more fuel efficiency, the Fit Shuttle Hybrid utilizes a 1.3-liter i-VTEC engine that's paired with Hοnda's IMA hybrid system. The hybrid will leisurely sip fuel at a rate οf nearly 59 miles per gallοn using the same test, again matching the regular Fit Hybrid.

Both Fit Shuttle variants are five-passenger peοple movers that feature a veritable arena οf cargo space, relative tο the vehicle's compact size. Stοrage is readily available above the lοw load flοοr, but there's more hiding underneath. The rear rοw οf seats can be stowed, creating a flat cargο space. The varying rear end arrangements allow fοr a wide variety οf cargo tο fit inside the Fit Shuttle.

Besides the cargo being cοmfortable, passengers will be entertained by the InterNavi system that's equipped οn the Linkup Free system. Utilizing a 3G cοnnection, Linkup Free allows users tο quickly transmit and receive data while οn the go.

The Hοnda Fit Shuttle 15X starts at 1,610,000 Yen, οr about $19,943 U.S. at current exchange rates. Pricing fοr the Fit Shuttle Hybrid begins at 1,810,000 Yen, which is arοund $22,420 U.S.

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Honda Launches New Fit Shuttle Small MPV in Japan

After briefly postponing the presentation of its all-new Fit Shuttle due to a variety of problems that arose from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Honda on Thursday officially launched its mini MPV.
While keeping the five-seat layout of the regular Fit (called Jazz in Europe), the Shuttle is longer and taller, with the extra space benefiting both the rear passengers and the cargo area.
The more practical version of the Fit is offered in two flavors, the base model powered by a conventional 1.5-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder gasoline engine and a hybrid variant combining a 1.3-liter gasoline unit to a 10 KW electric motor.
The hybrid model is available only with front-wheel drive and a CVT, while the regular Fit Shuttle can be ordered either with front-wheel drive and a CVT or with all-wheel drive and 5-speed automatic transmission.
Pricing of the Japan-only Fit Shuttle starts at ¥1,610,000 (~US$20,030), with the hybrid model commanding ¥1,810,000 (~US$22,500).
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