Japan has the Civic Type R. Europe has the Civic Type R. Hell, even Australia’s got the Civic Type R, but perplexingly the United States has always seemed to miss out on getting a hot hatch with the red “H” badge. The US still won’t be getting a Civic Type R anytime soon, but from mid-October Yankee enthusiasts will be able to get the closest thing to it: the Civic Mugen Si.

The Civic Mugen Si boasts the same 145kW K20Z3 that powers the Civic Si, except it’s coupled to a low-restriction Mugen cat-back exhaust. Mugen has also fiddled with the suspension to stiffen up the ride and enhance cornering ability, while lightweight seven-spoke 18-inch rims help reduce unsprung weight.

A Mugen bodykit consisting of a new front spoiler, sideskirts and faux rear diffuser take care of aesthetics and come wrapped in the exclusive-to-Mugen Fiji Blue Pearl colour you see above. Only 1000 will be built and will retail for less than USD$30,000 once it hits North American showrooms.

More pics and additional info is available from Inside Line here.

[Source: Honda Motor Co. via Inside Line]
[Photo courtesy of Honda Motor Co.]