Eulogizing the Tenth-Gen: Is the 2019 Mugen Civic Type R a JDM Legend?
Has Mugen created the best tenth-gen Civic money can buy? Probably.
The automotive market has changed dramatically in the past decade. Crossovers and EVs dominate in a world where sports cars and hot hatchbacks are an endangered species. It has us thinking a lot about the future, and apparently, we aren’t alone.
YouTuber SavageGeese recently had the enviable opportunity to spend some time with a 2019 Mugen Civic Type R. With the 10th generation Civic now dead and buried, and the 11th generation in production, we can confidently say that this is likely the best the aftermarket has to offer for these cars. After all, if you’re reading Honda-Tech, you don’t need us to tell you what’s so great about Mugen.
So, how will history remember this car?
When you buy a Mugen-tuned car, the driving feel is clearly as important as the performance itself. The interior of the Mugen Type R features numerous small touches that subtly enhance the experience for a track-focused drive. Casual observers may not actually notice many of the differences – except for the fixed-back racing seats that can’t be missed.
Mugen, Inside Out
On the exterior, many of the design choices are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Cooling is a well-known issue for tenth-gen Type Rs, especially when they are being pushed on track. The hood is designed to aid in cooling, and it looks great, too.
The suspension upgrades are very track-focused. The springs provide less-than-ideal performance on the street, and SavageGeese suggests that ditching the electronic damper control and going to a dedicated coilover system may be a better setup.
As far as power upgrades, the Mugen Civic Type R stresses a useful powerband over dyno-day heroics. Like most of the rest of the car, the differences may look subtle on paper, but result in a better overall performance driving experience. Timing and spark are modified, but it’s a streetable tune. The titanium exhaust is expensive, and shaves nearly 20 pounds from the Civic Type R. To our ears, it sounds pretty terrific, too.
Of course, a proper tuner car is more than the sum of its parts. The Mugen Civic Type R exemplifies this. It’s a total performance package that, for the most part, makes the Honda Civic Type R a superior on the track without sacrificing daily drivability. Will it be a classic in twenty years? Time will tell.
Join the Honda-Tech forums now!
