Tag: Mugen

Automotive by Narita Dogfight
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Close-Up: Mugen GT300 CR-Z

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A few weeks ago my friend over at JDM Clips made a visit to the Honda Headquarters where they had on display the new Mugen designed GT300 CR-Z that is currently competing in the Super GT series.   If the Toyota Prius GT300 car wasn’t ironic enough for you, Honda is here to fulfill your hybrid race car cliches with the new CR-Z contender.  It’s difficult to think that any hybrid car you see on the street would be holding it’s own against the likes of the BRZ, BMW Z4’s, Nismo GTR GT3’s, Porsches, Aston Martin’s, Lambos and Corvettes, but make no mistake; this is one fast hybrid.  In fact, in only it’s second outing it managed to capture pole position and continues to impress on the grid.  Granted it’s 300hp 2.8 liter twin-turbo V6, with electric motor,  isn’t offered as an option from Honda to you and I (unfortunately), but it’s still a CR-Z chassis; a capable one at that.  Click past the break to see the CR-Z up close, compliments of JDM Clips.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Event: AutoCon 2012 – Los Angeles V.3

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I’m going to try and roll everything else I have left into a third and final, massive leftovers post of AutoCon 2012.  I can only imagine how cool it will be – especially since I’m kicking it off with this fantastic coupe on Panasport G7s.  As far as the timeline goes, it’s still pretty early in the day, and definitely still in the morning.  The show opened to the public at about 12 o’clock, and that’s just around the time I said that I’ve had enough.  I was fortunate to have a good jump on the show without too much foot traffic, so I really got a good look at the lot in it’s entirety before the gates opened.  The lot was so big though, that I think even if I hadn’t I’d still be able to get some good shots.  Recapping the show, I must say the entire roll-in process and media handling was a gigantic improvement over last year.  Thanks to the AutoCon staff for another good show and I look forward to seeing this event gain in popularity over the next few years.  Take a look past the break for a grip of pics that wrap up my coverage.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Event: Wekfest LA 2012 – Long Beach, California V.1

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This past weekend the Queen Mary park in Long Beach played host to the second stop in the 2012 Wekfest Tour; Wekfest LA.  It’s hard to believe that it’s already been a year since the show stormed the grounds in 2011; and as I was expecting, the show was unreal.  Honestly, if I could choose one show to attend for the entire year, there is no doubt it would be Wekfest – LA specifically.  There really is no better venue than the Queen Mary; great weather, beautiful ocean and downtown views, off-shore breezes, shaded grassy areas to relax, and plenty of room for the 300+ cars and the thousands of attendees.  The Wek get better at organizing these shows with each event’s passing and for like minded people, their efforts don’t go unnoticed.  I’d like to give a big thanks to Kenneth Li, Adam Luong, Geoffrey Nguyen and all the other behind the scenes people at Weksos that make this tour what it is.  I had a blast checking out the builds, catching up with familiar faces, and meeting a handful of new people.  With that said, I need to work on getting more sleep before these shows.  I’ve slipped into the unconscious habit of getting a maximum of 2-3 hours of sleep before any particular Wekfest show I’ve attended.  Somehow I managed to arrive a good two hours before media was allowed in; two hours I spent sleeping in the parking lot.  With about 30 minutes to 11am, I walked towards the entrance where I saw my buddy Jon.  As we were talking Geoffrey came up to say hi.  We talked for a few minutes, got my stamp a little early, and I slipped into the fray of glossy metal that is Wekfest.  Check out the first part of coverage past the break – hope you enjoy!

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Encounter: Seek and You Shall Find – A FIT

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I can’t even remember what day it was, but last month we swung by Seeker on a whim to see what they had cooking.  If you’re not familiar with Seeker, well, click the link.  They have slowly become one of Japan’s most well known Honda tuning companies, and are creators of all things orange.  The company is headed up by a younger individual and retains much of a grass roots feel to it; especially considering the shop is a little triangle shaped building on what could possibly be the tiniest piece of land in Tokyo.  With that said, you may need to do a little, ahem, ‘seeking’ to find the place somewhere around Suginami.  Once you find it though you’ll be treated to some nicely built cars, and a friendly staff.  Check out a few more shots of the Fit past the break.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Close-Up: Mugen RR Advanced Concept

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Every once in awhile a tuner company will come out with a build that just blows me away.  Well, Mugen is more than just a tuning company, and this is more than just a build; but whatever it is, definitely blows me away.  The Mugen RR Advanced Concept is an almost 100% carbon bodied Civic RR with an extensive modification list that makes it a formidable track opponent going up against just about anything.   Check out more of what makes this beast tick past the break.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Locale: Mugen Headquarters, Saitama – M-Tec Co. LTD

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Happy New Year everyone!  I’m happy to report that NDF has survived its first full year, and that we’re ready to take on 2012 head on.  Let’s kick off the New Year with a little peak around M-Tec Co.’s headquarters in Saitama, Japan.  JDM Clips went exploring the building and it’s surroundings on a trip to go see the Mugen RR Advanced Concept.  It’s been over two years since Mugen has particiapted in Tokyo Auto Salon, and the RR Advanced Concept was their last display vehicle.  With word that Mugen is returning to TAS for 2012, there is much hype building around what car they will have present.  Here at NDF & JDM Clips all bets are on a RR modeled CR-Z!  We’ll have to wait to know for sure.  In the meantime, check out the pics past the break.

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JDM by Narita Dogfight

Encounter: Mugen RR @ FSW

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I know I haven’t been updating the site as much as I should;  I’ve been busy with real life.  All that aside, I received a nice surprise in my email yesterday morning by the way of some new photos from Japan.  Taka sent more coverage of the Mugen Circuit Challenge my way, but this time it took place at Fuji Speedway.  One of the cars that caught my eye was this Mugen RR.  Only 300 of these were produced, and they would run you close to $40,000 if you wanted one.  For that though, you get one hell of a weekend track car; compliments to the host of finely tuned Mugen products on board.  Click past the break to see it in action.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Event: 2011 Mugen Circuit Challenge v.2

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Due to some unforeseen trouble with my own car (i.e. broken driver side knuckle), it took me a little bit longer than expected to get this second part up;  sorry ‘y’all.  In the last post, I mentioned a little bit about the breakdown of classes and regulations for the Circuit Challenge.  So for this one I’ll just let the pictures do the talking.  I really like this shot, with the CR in the background.  As I was taking a second look through some of the shots, I noticed a few EK chassis that were worth putting up.  Check um’ out past the break.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Close Up: Mugen FN2 (European Type-R)

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Thought I’d break up the photos from the 2011 Mugen Circuit Challenge with a closer look at Mugen’s attempt at the Honda FN2; Europe’s offering of the Civic Type-R.  I remember when this model was released it garnered mixed opinions among the Honda community.  After giving it a few years to soak in however, I think I kinda like it.  Not only is it a very unique chassis design, it seems to be quite rare as well.  Let’s check out how Mugen modified it.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Event: 2011 Mugen Circuit Challenge v.1

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Anything doing is worth doing right – and Mugen does track events right.  Open to anybody with a Honda, enter into the Circuit Challenge and you are graced with four 15 minute runs on Tsukuba 1000 circuit, professional instruction on and off track, ride alongs with current professional racing drivers, the opportunity to drive one of three Mugen built machines, and the option of trying out Mugen products during your track time for free.  This year there were 86 drivers in attendance, including JDM Clips own Taka.  Check out the action below.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Action: Mugen Circuit Challenge S2000

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Ever wonder what it would feel like to fly around Tsukuba, strapped into a Mugen built machine, driven by a former F1 driver and current Super GT driver?  If so, the Mugen Circuit Challenge at Tsukuba Circuit is the place you need to go.  Taka from JDM Clips sent these images over to help us get as close as we can to the action.  He has attended this event multiple times, and really has a feel for what a company like Mugen can achieve.  Perfectly matching power output with chassis limitations, Mugen can take performance to an entirely new level.  Having a reliable car equipped with parts that work in harmony with the chassis is ideal for maintaining control on track; and Mugen does just that.  Most people don’t realize just how much experience Mugen has in building cars and engines.  Click past the break for more on-track shots.

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JDM by Narita Dogfight

Desktop: Castrol NSX GT Spec

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I apologize for the lack of posts this month.  I’ve been super busy with life (& GT5), and have really been putting off finding content.  I was supposed to head to Irwindale today after work to check out Industry Day, but got tipped off that it wasn’t all that (thanks Addy).  To hold you over I’ll post this desktop that Taka sent over of the Japan GT Castrol NSX.  Click past the break for some desktop links.

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