Mighty Car Mods Takes on Japan in a Honda City Turbo II – Hot Chocolate, Turbo‑Petrol Thrills & ADAS Adventures

Image: Mighty Car Mods Takes on Japan in a Honda City Turbo II – Hot Chocolate, Turbo‑Petrol Thrills & ADAS Adventures – Performance Comparison and Specifications

There’s something undeniably cozy about a steaming mug of hot chocolate while you watch Mighty Car Mods navigate the neon‑lit streets of Tokyo in a Honda City Turbo II. It’s the perfect blend of comfort and chaos: a broken‑down car, a toolbox full of ideas, and a Japanese backdrop that feels like a live‑action video game. In this article we’ll dive into why the City Turbo II is the ideal canvas for the duo, explore the design and specs, compare it to rivals, and answer the burning questions fans keep asking.

Why the Honda City Turbo II Is a Perfect Canvas for Mighty Car Mods

When Mighty Car Mods (MCM) decides to buy a broken car and fix it up, they’re not just hunting for cheap parts; they’re hunting for a story. The Honda City Turbo II checks all the boxes:

Compact dimensions that make city driving a breeze.
A turbo‑petrol engine that delivers a lively torque curve without the weight of a V‑engine.
Modern ADAS (Advanced Driver‑Assistance Systems) that can be tweaked for performance.
A cult following in Japan, meaning the streets are full of spare parts and enthusiastic locals.

Combine that with MCM’s signature humor, a dash of hot chocolate, and you’ve got a recipe for binge‑watchable content.

Design & Dimensions

Attribute	Honda City Turbo II	Typical Compact Hatchback
Length	4,490 mm	4,300 mm
Width	1,695 mm	1,750 mm
Height	1,495 mm	1,460 mm
Wheelbase	2,610 mm	2,560 mm
Curb Weight	1,120 kg	1,150 kg

The City’s sleek silhouette keeps a low centre of gravity, which is a boon when you’re adding aftermarket suspension or a bigger turbo. Its modest size also means it can slip into those tight Japanese alleyways that most foreign cars dread.

Feature Comparison – How the City Stacks Up

Below is a quick look at where the City Turbo II shines against two popular rivals: the Toyota Corolla Hybrid and the Mazda Demio. The goal isn’t to declare a winner, but to show why the City is a playground for modders.

Feature Comparison

Feature	Honda City Turbo II	Toyota Corolla Hybrid	Mazda Demio
Engine	1.5 L Turbo‑Petrol	1.8 L Hybrid	1.5 L Naturally Aspirated
Peak Power	150 hp	122 hp (combined)	115 hp
Torque	220 Nm	150 Nm	146 Nm
ADAS Level	2 (Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise)	3 (Full‑Speed Range ACC)	1 (Basic Collision Mitigation)
Aftermarket Support	High (turbo kits, ECU swaps)	Medium (limited hybrid parts)	Low

Notice the City’s turbo‑petrol setup offers a more “tuner‑friendly” powerband, while still giving you enough ADAS tech to experiment with sensor‑based upgrades.

Engine Specifications – The Heart of the Turbo‑Petrol Beast

For anyone who’s ever wondered what makes the City’s engine tick, here’s a breakdown of the stock specs and the potential gains after a typical MCM‑style build.

Engine Specifications

Spec	Stock	After MCM Upgrade
Displacement	1,496 cc	1,496 cc (unchanged)
Turbo Size	Stock K04	K04 larger compressor
Boost Pressure	0.8 bar	1.4 bar
Fuel System	EFI, 40 lb/hr injectors	60 lb/hr injectors
ECU	OEM	Standalone ECU (e.g., Haltech)
Power Output	150 hp @ 5,500 rpm	210 hp @ 6,200 rpm
Torque	220 Nm @ 2,200 rpm	280 Nm @ 3,000 rpm

Those numbers aren’t just for show; they translate to a noticeably quicker sprint out of Shibuya’s scramble crossing—perfect for those “quick‑cut” shots that MCM loves.

Price Comparison – How Much Does the Fun Cost?

Budget is always a concern, especially when you’re buying a fixer‑upper and planning a full build. Below is a rough price guide for a stock City Turbo II, the same car after a typical MCM‑style mod, and two competitor models.

Price Comparison

Model	Stock Price (JPY)	After‑Build Cost (JPY)
Honda City Turbo II	¥850,000	¥1,350,000
Toyota Corolla Hybrid	¥1,200,000	¥1,500,000
Mazda Demio	¥780,000	¥950,000
Imported Subaru WRX (stock)	¥2,400,000	¥2,400,000

Even after the upgrades, the City remains one of the most cost‑effective platforms for a turbo‑petrol build, especially when you factor in the abundance of cheap parts in Japanese junkyards.

Personal Anecdote: Hot Chocolate, Snow, and a Turbo Whine

It was a chilly February night in Sapporo. Marty and Moog (the MCM duo) had just finished a day‑long hunt for a replacement intercooler in a tiny auto‑parts market. They retreated to a corner izakaya, ordered a steaming mug of hot chocolate, and watched the snow blanket the city. The moment they sipped, the car’s engine – freshly tuned that afternoon – let out a low, melodic whine that reminded them of a distant train. That sound, paired with the sweet cocoa, became the backdrop for one of their most‑shared videos. It’s a reminder that car culture isn’t just about horsepower; it’s about the moments you share around the engine.

What Makes the Japan Road Trip So Captivating?

Japan’s road network is a study in contrasts. You have ultra‑smooth expressways that feel like a racetrack, then you drop into winding mountain passes where every curve demands respect. For a turbo‑charged Honda City, this means the driver can feel the turbo lag disappear on the straightaways, while the ADAS systems keep you safely planted on the bends. MCM’s cameras capture the neon glow of Osaka, the quiet serenity of Kyoto’s backstreets, and the relentless energy of Tokyo’s Shibuya crossing – all through the eyes of a car that’s been rebuilt from the ground up.

Conclusion – A Sip, A Turbo, A Story

Watching Mighty Car Mods explore Japan in a Honda City Turbo II is more than a travel vlog; it’s a lesson in how a modest, turbo‑petrol hatch can become a canvas for creativity, community, and a little bit of comfort (thanks to that hot chocolate). Whether you’re an aspiring modder, a fan of Japanese automotive culture, or just someone who enjoys a good cup of cocoa while watching a turbo whine, this adventure has something for you. And if you’re thinking about taking the plunge yourself, the tables above should give you a solid starting point – from dimensions to price, from stock specs to post‑build performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the base engine code for the Honda City Turbo II?: The stock engine uses the L15B7 1.5 L turbo‑petrol block.
2. Can the City’s ADAS be disabled for track days?: Yes, most of the ADAS functions can be turned off via the ECU or a diagnostic tool, allowing full driver control.
3. How much does a typical turbo upgrade cost in Japan?: A quality turbo kit (including larger K04, intercooler, and supporting hardware) runs between ¥150,000 and ¥250,000.
4. Is the Honda City Turbo II reliable for daily commuting?: When maintained properly, the turbo‑petrol engine can exceed 200,000 km without major issues, making it a viable daily driver.
5. Where can I find aftermarket parts for the City?: Major Japanese cities have dedicated “tuning streets” (e.g., Osaka’s Namba district) and online retailers like Takashi Motor Parts.
6. Does the City support a standalone ECU?: Absolutely. Standalone units from Haltech, Motec, or MegaSquirt are commonly used in MCM builds.
7. What fuel grade is recommended for high‑boost setups?: Premium 98 RON gasoline is advised for boost levels above 1.2 bar to prevent knock.
8. How much weight can the City’s chassis handle after a turbo upgrade?: The chassis is robust enough for an additional 100 kg of components, but suspension upgrades are recommended for optimal balance.
9. Is it legal to run a modified turbo in Japan?: Modifications must pass the shaken inspection. As long as emissions and noise limits are met, a tuned City can be road‑legal.
10. Where can I watch the full Japan adventure?: The entire series is available on the Mighty Car Mods YouTube channel, with behind‑the‑scenes clips and full‑length episodes.