Mitsuoka M55 RS Adds a New Limited-Run Chapter to the Retro Civic-Based Hatchback

Mitsuoka is expanding its M55 family with another limited-production version called the M55 RS. Like the earlier editions, the new model is based on the Honda Civic hatchback, but its exterior has been completely reworked to give it the appearance of a classic American muscle car.

The story of the M55 began in November 2023, when Mitsuoka revealed the original concept. Public reaction was strong enough for the small Japanese manufacturer to approve a production run just a few months later. The first batch, called Zero Edition, was limited to 100 cars and priced at 8.1 million yen. Demand quickly exceeded supply: Mitsuoka received around 350 applications in the first week alone, so buyers were selected through a lottery. Deliveries began in May 2025.

After that, Mitsuoka announced a second run of 250 cars under the 1st Edition name. That version gave customers a choice between a 1.5-liter turbo engine with a manual transmission and Honda’s e:HEV hybrid powertrain. The new RS edition continues the same formula, but with a sportier visual theme and an even smaller production volume.

Although the M55 RS still uses the Honda Civic RS as its base, very little of the donor car is visible from the outside. The roof, doors and glasshouse remain from the Civic, but the front and rear sections are unique to Mitsuoka. The long hood, rectangular headlights and wide rear treatment are clearly inspired by old-school muscle cars, especially models such as the Dodge Challenger.

Compared with previous M55 versions, the RS gets its own badges, different wheels and two exclusive body colors: Shore Blue Metallic and Nardo Grey. The front splitter and rear spoiler are carried over from earlier M55 models. The hatchback measures 4,735 mm in length, 1,805 mm in width and 1,410 mm in height.

The cabin is much closer to the standard Civic. Mitsuoka has added leather seats with RS embroidery, red stitching and a redesigned manual gear lever with carbon-look trim and red accents. The steering wheel also receives a Mitsuoka badge, but the dashboard, screens and main controls are otherwise unchanged from the Honda donor car.

Mechanically, the M55 RS keeps the Civic RS powertrain. It uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 182 hp and 240 Nm of torque, paired with a six-speed manual transmission. Mitsuoka has not released acceleration or top-speed figures.

Production will be extremely limited. Mitsuoka plans to build only 55 units of the M55 RS in 2026, with no confirmed production plan beyond that. Pre-orders in Japan will open on April 24 through Mitsuoka dealerships.

The price is set at 8,888,000 yen, or roughly $55,700. That makes the RS about 1.32 million yen more expensive than the M55 1st Edition, and almost twice as costly as the standard Honda Civic RS with a manual gearbox, which currently starts in Japan from 4,398,900 yen.