Mitsuoka M55 Concept: Honda Civic to Dodge Challenger

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【Summary】Japanese coachbuilder Mitsuoka has unveiled the M55 concept, which features a Challenger-inspired body on a Honda Civic platform. Developed to celebrate Mitsuoka's 55th birthday, the M55 has a muscle car-like front end and a Civic-based interior. It is powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, making it more of a show car than a production model. Mitsuoka has no plans to put the M55 into production, and it is unlikely to be seen on American roads.

FutureCar Staff Nov 26, 2023 10:17 PM PT

Mitsuoka M55 Concept: Honda Civic to Dodge Challenger

Japanese coachbuilder Mitsuoka has revealed a concept car called the M55, which combines the body of a Dodge Challenger with the current-generation Honda Civic. This is not the first time Mitsuoka has transformed a vehicle into something unexpected; they have previously turned a Toyota Yaris into a Jaguar Mark 2 look-alike and given the Toyota RAV4 a retro design inspired by 1980s Chevrolet pickups and SUVs.

The M55, developed to celebrate Mitsuoka's 55th birthday, features a front end reminiscent of a muscle car, with four round headlights, a throwback grille, and bright trim. From the side, it is clear that the M55 is based on the Civic, with the front and rear doors, side windows, and roof line all coming from the popular Japanese model. The back of the M55 includes louvers on the hatch's window, a spoiler, and oval headlights surrounded by a black panel. The design is completed with unique alloy wheels.

Inside the M55, most of the components are borrowed from the Civic, including the switches, buttons, and touchscreen. However, there are a few Mitsuoka-specific touches, such as a branded steering wheel, concept-specific trim on the dashboard, and blue upholstery with a stitching pattern reminiscent of muscle cars.

Under the hood, the M55 is powered by a stock 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine sourced from the Civic. Turbocharged, it produces 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, and sends power to the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. It is worth noting that the M55 is more of a show car than a high-performance vehicle, as the least powerful variant of the upcoming 2023 Challenger is equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 303 horsepower and 268 pound-feet of torque.

Mitsuoka has clarified that the M55 is purely a celebratory concept and has no plans for production. Even if the company were to change its mind, it is unlikely that the 1960s-inspired Civic would be approved for use on American roads.