Mitsuoka is surely no stranger to eccentric and frequently polarizing builds rooted in mainstream models. However, their newest project, developed for the company’s 55th anniversary, may well just be their wildest a single however. Enter the Mitsuoka M55 Concept that fuses the Dodge Challenger’s style onto an 11th-generation Honda Civic Hatch making a 5-door muscle auto with Japanese underpinnings.

The celebratory notion draws its inspiration from the ’70s, a golden age of muscle automobiles that coincided with Mitsuoka’s establishment in 1968. The transformation posed a exclusive challenge due to the five-door hatchback physique style of the donor auto, which may well not seem to be the best canvas for making a Dodge Challenger replica. Nevertheless, Mitsuoka designers did their greatest implementing comprehensive visual modifications to bring this project to life.

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The M55 Concept unmistakably carries the genetic traits of its Honda Civic Hatchback roots in its profile as it retains the stock greenhouse, chrome-trimmed windowline, roofline, and doors. However, to give it a dash of American flair, the designers stretched the front and rear overhangs although adding sportier alloy wheels with eye-catching white lettering on the tires.

The front finish stands out as the most convincing aspect of this replica. The quad round headlights, grille, bumper, and hood come collectively to emulate the Challenger’s distinctive style. At the rear, the fastback-style silhouette of the Civic proved to be best for adding Mustang-style louvers above the rear glass, top to an integrated spoiler. The custom rear fascia contains new taillights, a redesigned hatch that appears like a tailgate, and a new rear bumper. A closer appear at the rear quarter panels reveals the physique-colored panels covering the region that utilised to be occupied by the Civic’s stock taillights.

Predictably, the interior is largely shared with the donor auto with the exception of a retro-flavored blue leather upholstery gracing the seats and a (some may well say, rather cheesy-hunting) Mitsuoka badge on the steering wheel. The vintage minimalist style of the Civic’s dashboard is fairly fitting for the occasion although integrating modern day connectivity tech in the ten.25-inch infotainment touchscreen.

The underpinnings have also been carried more than from the Civic, which means that this FWD muscle auto impersonator has half of the cylinders compared to its RWD V8-powered supply of inspiration. Honda’s turbocharged 1.five-liter 4-pot is excellent for 180 hp (134 kW / 182 PS), sending energy to the front axle by way of a six-speed manual gearbox which sounds a lot far more fitting than the CVT. Reading the specs we can not aid but wonder if Mitsuoka could create a Hellcat or a Demon version of the bodykit primarily based on the far more potent Honda Civic Type R.

Unfortunately for Honda Civic owners who are hardcore fans of the Dodge Challenger, Mitsuoka presently has no plans to place the M55 Concept into production. Nevertheless, for these eager to get an up-close view, the Mitsuoka Azabu Showroom in Tokyo will proudly show it from November 24 to December 16.

Mitsuoka