Full Metal Jacket

“You never know where a dream will lead you”. Those words are proudly stated on the side of James Steven’s car. Because following his starry-eyed ideas has led to Europe’s first wide-bodied CR-Z…

Hybrids’ engines are only good in shopping cars.” It’s an all-too familiar reaction often heard when mentioning these futuristically powered vehicles to someone who’s had their head in the sand a little too long. Try repeating that phrase to the last five consecutive teams to win at Le Mans, or the owner of a LaFerrari. We doubt they’ll appreciate such a statement being bandied around so carelessly...

As the benefits of electrifying cars steadily creep into the mainstream, we’re starting to see some awesome examples of modified hybrids taking to the streets. Not with the humble Honda CR-Z, the big H’s predecessor to the legendary CR-X, which is only being fully appreciated now it’s recently gone out of production. Let’s get one thing straight: hybrids can be all sorts of cool!

James’ example of this fun little coupe here is one of the most striking of its kind for many miles around. That’s largely thanks to its incredible bodywork alterations that help ensure you won’t be forgetting it in a hurry. It all began as something of a chance encounter, though...

“Insurance stopped me in my tracks when I began looking at S2000s and DC5 Integras,” the proud owner of this beauty explains. “I wasn’t too sold on CR-Zs straight away. But this one came up with a Mugen kit and alloys, and it was then I knew I had to have it.”

With its pearly white paint gleaming and its Mugen upgrades giving it that extra slab of swag that was perhaps missing from the factory, James and his insurance provider began a happy relationship with just the simple addition of the usual upgrades, such as lowering springs and an intake system initially weighing in on the modification list. That is until he crossed paths with Phil from the legendary Hertfordshire-based Honda tuner Dream Automotive, however...