- Honda's Earth Dreams Technology, which details its future firepower, was spelled out on Wednesday at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show.
- Among the most significant developments: a new electric SH-AWD hybrid system that may debut in the replacement for the Acura NSX.
- The green technologies include a new twin-motor hybrid system and a new electric powertrain for EVs that promises a range of 123 miles.
TOKYO — Honda's Earth Dreams Technology, which details its future firepower, was spelled out on Wednesday at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show. Among the most significant developments: a new electric SH-AWD hybrid system that may debut in the replacement for the Acura NSX.
The new technology appears to be Honda's answer to Mazda's SkyActiv lineup and Hyundai's aggressive push to be one of the global fuel-economy leaders. Honda said the new plan calls for top-of-the-industry fuel efficiency in every vehicle class within three years while reducing CO2 emissions for all Honda vehicles by 30 percent by 2020. Interestingly, Honda appears to be hedging its bets by embracing several options from the traditional internal-combustion engine to hybrids and EVs.
Honda's upcoming green technologies include a new twin-motor hybrid system and a new electric powertrain for EVs that promises a range of 123 miles.
The two-motor hybrid system is set to debut in unnamed midsize Honda vehicles starting with a plug-in hybrid model in 2012 and a hybrid model in 2013, said Honda in a statement on Wednesday. Presumably, the plug-in hybrid is the 2013 Honda Accord, which has not been officially announced, but is believed to be bound for the U.S. next year.
Honda did not say which vehicles would get the new electric SH-AWD hybrid system, but the details in its statement on Earth Dreams seemed to point directly to the next NSX. Honda said the new hybrid system "was developed for large-sized vehicles." The system bundles a 3.5-liter V6 engine, along with "an electric four-wheel-drive system with independent 20 kW+ motors on both sides for the rear wheels (and) a seven-speed dual clutch transmission system." It also gets a high-performance lithium-ion battery.
The SH-AWD hybrid system will provide "acceleration equivalent to V8 engines, as well as fuel efficiency equal or superior to inline four-cylinder engines," said Honda in a statement.
Honda has not confirmed that the NSX will be a hybrid.
Honda said the new electric powertrain for EVs not only improves the range, but cuts the recharging time to less than three hours when using the 240-volt U.S. electric source. The powertrain offers three driving modes — sport, normal and econ.
The Earth Dreams plan also calls for a new direct-injection engine series, including a new 2.4-liter four-cylinder, a downsized diesel engine and "three CVT structures for mini, compact and midsize vehicle classes (that) are newly developed to be adopted for a variety of engine models."
Inside Line says: Honda lays out some ambitious green plans that should see the light of day shortly.
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ispano says:
11:02 PM, 12/09/2011
Forgot to mention that it was the Honda Civic that won the 2010 British Touring Cup.
Lastly, it should be noted that while other competitors APPEAR better on paper and spec sheets, Honda usually fairs better in real world situations. From MPG to drive-feel, Honda lands in the ballpark of the best of all worlds. If only the USDM models would get the HID/LED headlights, turn signal mirrors the European and JDM equivalents got, then Honda's perceived low-quality image wouldn't be an issue.
Until Acura goes away or makes a quantum leap into the luxury segment to allow for this, to most luxury buyers Acura will remain luke warm and to cost-conscious buyers Honda's will appear understated if not drab compared to the false sense of bling bling of Kia's LED headlights.
ispano says:
10:27 PM, 12/09/2011
What is it with "enthusiasts" who think they know how to run a global automotive company anyway?
It's one thing to be enthusiastic, but to be so arrogant to even think they understand Honda's position in the global space is downright ignorance. I agree with a previous poster's comment about the quality of the comments by some of the posters here.
Honda's ultimate DREAM is still fuel-cell technology. It has been re-iterated many times that hybrids are a temporary stop gap to the true future technology Honda hopes the world will embrace. Just like EVs, it's a stint, somewhat imposed due to the US governments shift in support of Hydrogen to Electric, only that Honda has opted to stay the HYBRID route due to the lack of guaranteed longevity of the EV-only drive-train as well as distance limitations and fail-safes for when you DO run out of juice, stranded miles from the next charging station. Honda's problem is that much of the Western World doesn't understand nor embrace the need for the technology, yet. There are many arguments against the Hydrogen Economy, usually coming down to costs to convert infrastructure, political interests, and of course arguments that processing fuel-cells requires more energy than it can store/deliver. While valid in the scope of even the most competent of governments, it is a reason that is short-sighted and hinders the improvement of the QUALITY OF LIFE for all people for GENERATIONS to follow. Initial costs and investments won't have immediate returns until adoption rate across various industries and sectors accumulate. It won't just be cars powered on the hydrogen economy, every household appliance will likely be as well. Solar power demand has increased and cost/efficiency has finally surpassed nuclear power.
The push for zero emissions in Japan and ESPECIALLY the Asia region is absolutely necessary. Pollution from China directly affects Japan, where at times, the air in Tokyo is a yellow haze with dust-borne bacterial stench. The only problem is, it's not just Japan's problem. It's really the WORLD's problem, and the responsibility of the greatest nations to strive to eliminate burning of hydro-carbons as fuel. The recent fad of returning to using direct injection and turbo's of smaller engines simply has extended the life of the internal combustion engine. While many tout it as "advanced" engines and that Honda has fallen "behind" those who echo that sentiment are the ones who are truly behind. The Direct Injection Stream was never sold in the United States. It's not like Honda doesn't know how to turbocharge engines- they dominated in F1 so much with turbos that turbos got banned. They chose to not sell production cars with these two technologies for good reasons too: Drive-train longevity.
Turbo Direct Injection is no miracle technology, and it isn't without short-comings either. It's been around for over 50 years and plagued with reliability and durability issues, especially when driven hard. Honda could not afford to sacrifice reliability and durability of its drive-trains for the sake of time-to-market. It needed to develop and mature its i-VTEC i (direct injection) engine developed for the Stream in 2003. I can guarantee that Honda's testing and refining of this technology surpasses its competitors like Hyundai and Ford.
In truth, Honda has been quietly doing what Honda has done all along - innovating, dreaming, competing(in motorsports), and hoping for the hydrogen economy. It's just not apparent to the American audience and their selective memories of a few Honda-bashing news items, but the Honda HSV-010GT (yes the spectacular crash video car) did in fact clinch the Japan 2010 Super GT championship as well as the British Touring Championship in the same year. None of this was mentioned in ANY American audience automotive news website except for 7tune.com, a MOTORSPORTS enthusiasts website. The crown of Japan's Supercar KING was taken from the GTR by the HSV-010, only to be taken away by the GTR again this season. The technologies from the HSV-010 will eventually trickle down into the Honda/Acura line too. There is much to be enthused about for Honda. Nanotechnology, mind+sensory control systems, digital/telematic windshields.
As one comment mentioned, Honda's slump did start when they were dealt the hydrogen economy no-go blow, having to focus on "temporary" technology in hybrids. As for their designs and perceived quality, you can blame on American Honda. The european and japanese market versions are more refined and in tune with JAPANESE Honda quality. This has always been the case.
ultimatemxcn says:
11:58 PM, 12/01/2011
Well I guess we can keep expecting Honda to keep selling less and less vehicles year over year till they decide that killing off the only exciting vehicles in the RSX/Integra, S2000, CRX was a bad idea while Hyundai/Kia cut deeply into their sales numbers.
Hybrids are nice for greenheads, but the average buyer isn't going to pay a premium for a vehicle that doesn't perform much better than a cheaper vehicle.
scott230 says:
08:23 AM, 12/01/2011
I just bought a Acura RDX which seems to be a great buy. The Acura line comes fully loaded so less depreciation. For $32,000 it comes with Xenon headlights(which is unheard of at this price range vs competition), 4 year/50,000 mile warranty, leather, voice activated everything, 240 horsepower turbo 4 cylinder, sun roof etc. The interior is very high grade not rental car type like you see in other brands at this price range.
scott230 says:
08:17 AM, 12/01/2011
Where are the Big 3 with all this new technology. I heard both MB and Toyota are coming out with their Fuel cell cars in 2014
duck87 says:
06:38 AM, 12/01/2011
@orbit09: Unfortunately you'll find these kinds of folks no matter which website you go to. The closest nirvana for auto enthusiasts I've seen is Hooniverse; however, that's only if you're into the extremely strange/fringe/old skool =)
It really is too bad. Once upon a time, I thought Jalopnik was the best place for enthusiasts to go. When all the important contributors left, the place became very different; even their tagline changed now.
Anyways, after a while you start to see who tends to troll articles and who makes thoughtful comments. For the most part I just find some of the commenters really funny.
orbit09 says:
05:49 AM, 12/01/2011
Insideline's Comment section is starting to remind me of Jalopnik's (which is a bad thing) with all of these "me-toos" with the fanboys, Honda/Toyota hate, bitching about model-bloat etc.. There's just not a lot of intelligent or original thought going on here anymore.
Compare the comments from 2011 with those of 4-5 years ago and you'll see a big decline in the amount of intelligent, original posts. Not much more than fanboys and a bunch of damned bandwagon donkeys. Too bad.
TTAC is too dry save for Byron and Baruth, Jalopnik is pretentious and annoying, SpeedSportLife is great, but updates are few and far between. Where's a car guy to go now for up to date info and a mature discussion about cars?
fandiesel says:
05:10 AM, 12/01/2011
They desperately need just as much in the design department to go along with under the hood changes. They have some awful looking stuff on the road !
carlos20 says:
04:54 AM, 12/01/2011
Its probe that Honda is working. Honda isnt dealing with 1.6 130HP engines anymore, that
1980s past for Honda. Honda means innovations, advance thecnology, future .
powered_by_k20 says:
12:39 AM, 12/01/2011
Honda's so pathetic now a days. :(