Mugen has installed a tuned suspension that was tested at the famed Twin-Ring Motegi race track in Japan. This suspension consists of a stiffer set of lowering springs that brings the car’s center of gravity down for better handling, stiffened the shocks to cope with the lowered ride height, tuned dampers, lightweight Mugen 18×7.5 forged aluminum rims, and high performance tires.

Pop the hood and you will lay eyes on the 4-cylinder, 197-hp engine mated to a six-speed transmission with a limited slip differential.  The exhaust has been swapped out for a Mugen issued cat-back piece that sounds pissed off.

Mugen also gave the exterior a minor makeover.  While most Civics are overdone with huge body kits made from fiberglass; Mugen has added some nice urethane pieces.  The aero pieces include a front spoiler and grill, side skirts, a rear diffuser spoiler, and a cool rear wing.  And of course each limited-edition Mugen Civic comes covered in Fuji Blue.

Mugen Civic sports an interior that is upgraded with some limited edition pieces.  There is a nice Mugen Plaque that marks this as a limited edition car, a nifty aluminum shift knob, and pedal covers.

Only 1,000 Mugen Civic SI vehicles will be on sale in the U.S. which will definitely cement its status as a limited Edition Car!  The estimated retail price will be about $30,000, and this car will come with a full Factory Warranty from Honda.

See a full line-up of Honda Cars at Palm Springs Honda.  Source:  Cool New Cars

What make this car different from the 2009 Toyota Prius Hybrid or the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid is that this car can runs on electricity only for up to 40 miles. This will satisfy the daily commute for the majority of Americans. For longer hauls; the Volt has a regular gas engine that will kick in and power the car.

Of course regenerative breaking is a feature that will recharge the batteries to a predetermined level. Once the batteries are charged, the electric engine will turn back on. As you can guess the Volt will have get outstanding MPG on long trips and will emit hardly any emissions. As is stands the Volt produces no emissions what so ever with the electric motor running! My only question is too little too late? I mean the big U.S. automakers have been in jeopardy as of late. Why not get a hybrid out to the public when we wanted it 5 years ago?