Mitsuoka Can’t Stop Turning Hondas Into Dodge Challengers
You can now purchase the Japanese Dodge Challenger impersonator with a hybrid powertrain
https://www.carscoops.com/author/thanos-pappas/
by Thanos Pappas
Mitsuoka has launched the M55 1st Edition in Japan with only 250 units available.
The M55 is based on the Honda Civic, offering both gasoline and hybrid options.
This model follows the sold-out M55 Zero Edition, which had a limited 100-unit run.
Mitsuoka is back at it, giving the people what they want with a rebodied Honda Civic that continues to channel the spirit of a Dodge Challenger—but with a bit more awkwardness. Following the success of the original M55 Zero Edition, which sold out in a flash last year, the Japanese company has decided to crank out an additional 250 units of the M55 1st Edition. And yes, it still looks like the Challenger’s very confused little cousin.
More: Mitsuoka Will Sell You A Civic-Based Challenger Wannabe For $52,000
The M55 first debuted as a one-off project in November 2023, showcasing a Dodge Challenger-inspired body bolted onto a Honda Civic chassis. Surprisingly, the concept was met with enthusiastic approval, and Mitsuoka quickly pivoted to make it a production reality, keeping the original design and features intact.
A Civic With Muscle Car Flair
The Mitsuoka M55 is essentially a Japanese muscle car trapped in the body of a compact hatchback, an identity crisis on four wheels. The extended front overhang with its quad round headlights tucked into the grille practically screams Dodge Challenger, while the fastback tail, complete with optional louvers on the rear glass, is channeling Ford Mustang vibes. It’s an odd mix, but hey, it’s got its own charm.
Mitsuoka
While the original M55 was only available in a shade of gray as uninspiring as a Monday morning, the M55 1st Edition now offers 10 different paint options, including names so exotic you might think you’re shopping for a yacht instead of a car. Choose from Platinum White Pearl, Sonic Gray Pearl, Premium Crystal Red Metallic, Seabed Blue Pearl, Skyscraper Gray, Blue Iceland, Old English White, John Mango, Spring Blue, and Papaya Orange Metallic.
The interior, still very much Honda Civic, gets an upgrade with leather upholstery featuring tiny holes and snazzy contrasting stitching. The Honda emblem? Gone, replaced by the all-important M55 Mitsuoka lettering on the steering wheel. If you’re really trying to up the ante, you can opt for carbon-style inserts. It’s all very… “I’m a little different, but not too different.”
Powertrain Options
When it comes to trims and powertrains, the M55 1st Edition keeps things simple with three choices and two engine options. The base model is still powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter gasoline engine producing a respectable 180 hp (134 kW / 182 PS). But if you’re feeling eco-conscious (or just want to be able to smugly say “hybrid”), there’s also the Honda e:HEV hybrid powertrain.
Price Tags That’ll Make You Blink
Pricing for the M55 1st Edition starts at ¥7,568,000 ($50,100) for the gasoline model, with the hybrid coming in at ¥8,118,000 ($53,800). The flagship hybrid model? ¥8,427,100 ($55,800).
It’s a bit more affordable than the now-sold-out M55 Zero Edition, which was priced at ¥8,085,000 ($53,600), but that won’t stop the price from creeping up if you start adding optional extras like ¥495,000 ($3,300) for a snazzy paint job, ¥495,000 ($3,300) for leather seats, and ¥395,000 ($2,600) for some carbon interior trim.
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Mitsuoka plans to start deliveries of the M55 Zero Edition in May 2025, while the M55 1st Edition will hit the streets in 2026. The company has also mentioned that pre-orders for the new model will close once all 250 production slots are snapped up, something that’s likely to happen sooner rather than later. So, if you’re eyeing one of these, you might want to make your move before they vanish.
