While waiting for Forza 4 for X-box to come out, i was playing some GT4(LOLyea). As I was looking at my garage, I saw a car that I thought was interesting, The Honda City Turbo II. In history, there are only 2 cars that I know of that were produced by Honda that were turbocharged; the F1 car, and the Honda City. The City also known as “the Bulldog” because of its aggressive face, was Hirotoshi Honda’s (MUGEN) masterpiece.

Mugen was a small tuning company that was beginning to make its mark by producing performance parts for motorcycles and cars. When Honda created the City Turbo, Hirotoshi took the City as it’s base platform and convert it into a street rocket.

Long story short, this was when Honda approved using Mugen parts and accessories for modifications. Honestly, the City in plain-jane is an ugly car; and turning an ugly car into one of Japan’s favorite Kei-cars is something.

digital tachometer...S2000 tach, I am your father.

Produced from 1982-1986 the City produced 100hp with a max speed of at least 110mph.  Other than just being a factory Turbocharged Honda, it had other features that packed a punch for such a small package. the City had a AC cooled box for drinks, a digital tachometer and of course, the Motocompo.

The City Turbo was perfect for city driving, it was all about acceleration. A fun car that met its purpose with minimal turbo lag. I wonder when would honda come out again with a turbocharged fun car. Imagine a 2013 Honda Fit Turbo or a Toyota IQ supercharged, or even a Nissan Juke GTR;  but with today’s “Go Green” push, I think chances for a factory modified super-compact car would be less likely to happen.

-mark@MaydayGarage