New power generation: Honda on the cutting edge

Honda Motor Co. President Takanobu Ito shows Honda NSX hybrid concept car, left, and Honda S660 concept car at the Tokyo Motor Show earlier this month.
(Shizuo Kambayashi/AP Photo)

The Tokyo Motor Show may not be the must-see event it once was prior to the global economic meltdown of 2008, but it still packs a wallop when it comes to showcasing new ideas and new technologies.

For Honda Motor Co., while it’s safe to say certain models in the company’s lineup are unqualified successes – the Accord, for example – it’s equally correct to note that others have fallen far short of expectations.

On its stand at the show was the RA271, the car with which Honda first competed in Grand Prix racing in 1964. A few spots down was the latest prototype version of the Honda/Acura NSX, its highly anticipated sports car, which is due to be released in 2015.

By no coincidence, Honda will return to Grand Prix racing that same year as the exclusive engine supplier to the McLaren Formula One team.

 “The regulations in Formula One are going through major changes right now,” Takanobu Ito, Honda’s CEO, said through an interpreter during an exclusive roundtable interview session. “And they are changing in a very encouraging way for a manufacturer like Honda.”

The changes include a move away from the series’ naturally aspirated 2.4-litre V-8 engine to a turbocharged 1.6-litre V-6, as well as greater use of energy recovery technology. The expected specifications for the NSX reveal that Honda is on the same page: the hybrid will rely heavily on a turbocharged V-6 engine and on energy regeneration.

This technology, in a different form, was on display at the company’s R&D facility in Tochigi where journalists got a crack at the forthcoming Acura RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (super handling all-wheel drive). The next flagship for Honda’s luxury division, which will arrive in Canada in 2014, employs a 3.5-litre V-6 gas engine linked to no fewer than three electric motors – one in the front and one at each rear wheel.

The motors in the back trigger a torque vectoring system that sends power to the outside wheels to help with cornering. While many all-wheel drive cars show a tendency to understeer in such situations (they don’t want to turn when you want them to turn), the RLX hybrid did not. In fact, a few quick laps around one of the test facility’s tracks revealed that the strength of the Acura could be its predictable, smile-inducing handling.

The RLX Sport Hybrid powertrain produces 377 hp, promises superior fuel economy to the non-hybrid version and showcases Honda’s first dual-clutch automatic transmission – so it will be a technological tour de force for the manufacturer. The NSX will also incorporate a hybrid all-wheel drive system, although details have yet to be released.

The SH-AWD system was just one of three hybrid powertrains that Honda has developed and all three were on display in Tochigi. We also sampled the i-MMD (Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive) system that is used in the largely wonderful Honda Accord Hybrid (on sale in Canada) and the Accord Plug-In Hybrid (which we may not receive).

“Hybrids will generate fuel efficiency that internal combustion alone will never give us,” Ito said. “We will see wide adoption of hybrids over the next 10 years.”

Hybrids comprise 40 per cent of the market in Japan, but a smaller percentage in Canada. Hybrids prove most popular when the price is not significantly greater than that for the non-hybrid equivalent, as is the case with the Hybrid Fit in Japan. In Canada, only the next-generation gas-powered Fit will arrive next year.

In parallel with the company’s continued focus on hybrid powertrains is its intention to develop “downsized” turbo engines, more Continuously Variable Transmissions, a smattering of diesels and, in the long term, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

“The hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle is the ultimate expression of personal mobility,” Ito said. “We believe it’s the best in terms of environmental performance. Until [it’s ready], there will be a number of efforts in other areas, including improvements to the internal combustion engine.”

Honda is at the crossroads – some of the car technologies being developed will have a limited shelf life, others may never bear fruit and still others could drive future success for decades.

Source;
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/new-cars/auto-news/new-power-generation-honda-on-the-cutting-edge/article15637882/

2014 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD: The Most Powerful and Technologically Advanced Vehicle in Acura History to be Showcased at LA Auto Show

11/18/2013 - TORRANCE, Calif.

The 377-horsepower Acura RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD luxury-performance sedan will be on public display for the first time this week at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, showcasing Acura's dynamic new three-motor hybrid system.

The 2014 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD, which launches next spring, is the first vehicle to deploy Acura's new three-motor hybrid powertrain technology. The system combines a highly efficient, direct-injected V-6 engine with an all-new, Acura-designed, 7-speed dual clutch transmission with built-in electric motor and an electrically powered variant of Acura's highly regarded torque-vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD).

This advanced new hybrid powertrain delivers exhilarating driving performance with incredibly responsive power delivery and precise, sure-footed handling performance like no other vehicle in its class. Supported by the instantaneous torque delivered by its high-output electric motors, the RLX Sport Hybrid runs a 0-60 mph time comparable with competitor's V8-powered machines. This performance, however, is coupled with a 28/32/30mpg (city/highway/combined) EPA fuel economy rating¹, which is in the range of 4-cylinder-powered luxury sedans.

Powertrain and Drivetrain
The RLX Sport Hybrid's 3.5-liter, 310-horsepower, i-VTEC® V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM™) includes an idle-stop feature to help maximize fuel efficiency. The engine is mated to an all-new, 7-speed dual clutch transmission with built-in electric motor. In automatic mode, the transmission provides highly responsive and intuitive gear selection, including matching engine revs during downshifts, in manual mode, the Sequential SportShift paddle shifters give the driver gear selection control to make virtually seamless ratio changes.

The electric SH-AWD system on the RLX Sport Hybrid eliminates the conventional drive shaft and rear differential, replacing them with two high-output 27-kilowatt electric motors. The rear motors dynamically distribute both positive (drive) and negative (regenerative braking) electric-motor torque, depending on driving conditions, and which torque vectoring assists in cornering. The system is further aided by a 35-kilowatt front electric motor that supplements engine torque to the front wheels and provides regenerative brake torque to charge the vehicle's 260-volt lithium-ion battery pack.

Body and Chassis
With a longer wheelbase and wider greenhouse than competing mid-luxury sedans, the RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD delivers full-size interior space in a nimbler, mid-size luxury sedan package. The RLX boasts the longest rear-seat legroom (38.8 inches), and best front (59.6 inches) and rear (57.0 inches) shoulder room in the mid-luxury class. The RLX advanced body design makes extensive use of high-strength steel and aluminum, further aiding its outstanding fuel efficiency, straight-line performance and superior handling agility.
In front, the RLX's double-wishbone, lower double-joint front suspension with Amplitude Reactive Dampers significantly improves handling agility, driver confidence and security, and ride sophistication. In back, the RLX's multi-link rear suspension is optimized for a flat ride during cornering, confident turning capability, and a smooth ride in a variety of urban, highway and open road scenarios.

Technology
Acura technology firsts on the 2014 Sport Hybrid also include the Acura electronic gear selector and Acura Head-Up Display System. The Acura electronic gear selector replaces the conventional, center console-mounted shift lever with an efficiently packaged push-button array that allows the driver to easily select the desired drive mode—Park, Drive and Reverse, as well as Sport and Normal driving modes. The Acura Head-Up Display System provides the driver with at-a-glance access to key driving information projected on the windshield. Display modes include Sport Hybrid system operation, turn-by-turn navigation, speedometer and compass, as well as alerts from various driver-assistive systems.

The RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD features Acura's signature Jewel Eye™ LED headlights, which offer outstanding light distribution and excellent down-the-road illumination performance and light characteristics. The RLX taillights utilize periphery LED illumination that is both effective and highly distinctive.

With the expanded range of standard and available technology features built into the RLX, substantial engineering effort was put into making each feature intuitive and easy-to-use. The focal point of the new instrument panel is a large, 8-inch color screen that combines audio/information and navigation functions and provides access to an array of customizable features. An additional 7-inch color On Demand Multi-Use Display™ (ODMD) touchscreen is positioned within easy reach and controls the audio system and many other features.

Audio and Connectivity
Exceptional audio performance has long been an Acura hallmark, and in the RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD, two audio systems are offered. The Technology package includes the Acura/ELS Studio® Premium Audio System with an advanced 14-speaker array. In the Advance package, the 14-speaker Krell system — with speakers and amplifiers engineered by Krell, one of the most respected audio companies in world — sets a new benchmark in automotive audio performance.

The RLX is equipped with the next-generation AcuraLink® cloud-based connected car system, delivering a comprehensive array of media, convenience, and security services via embedded two-way communications and web-enabled devices. AcuraLink® leverages Pandora® interface for streaming audio and the Aha™ by Harman cloud-based interface to provide users with thousands of customizable cloud-based news, information and media feeds. The next-generation AcuraLink® also delivers an array of available, subscription-based, security and convenience features, such as AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic™ featuring freeway traffic and, for the first time, surface street traffic information.

Safety and Driver-Assistive Technologies
The new RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD offers an extensive array of advanced safety, visibility and driver-assistive technologies that put the RLX on the leading edge of collision avoidance and assisted driving capability. Standard and features include a Multi-Angle Rearview Camera, Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW), along with Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow and Blind Spot Information (BSI) system.

Utilizing Acura's next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, along with seven airbags (including a driver's knee airbag), the RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD is anticipated to earn top-level safety ratings, including a 5-star NCAP Overall Vehicle Score and an IIHS "TOP SAFETY PICK+" rating, plus a GOOD rating in the IIHS small overlap front collision test.

Source;
http://hondanews.com/channels/acura-automobiles-rlx/releases/2014-acura-rlx-sport-hybrid-sh-awd-the-most-powerful-and-technologically-advanced-vehicle-in-acura-history-to-be-showcased-at-la-auto-show

Honda readies new turbocharged engines, 8-speed dual-clutch transmission

by Hans Greimel of www.automotivenews.com

Honda Motor Co. unveiled a series of downsized, turbocharged engines and an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, rounding out its line of Earth Dreams powertrains with ones that offer more performance without sacrificing fuel economy.

Tetsuo Iwamura, CEO of American Honda Motor Co., declined to say which of the automaker's U.S. nameplates would get which engines. But Iwamura, who also heads Honda's automobile operations globally, said the automaker plans to switch its existing gasoline engines to turbos "as much as possible."

The unveiling of the new engines and transmission, and Iwamura's remarks, came during media events before the Tokyo Motor Show, including an advanced technology briefing at its global r&d center north of Tokyo. The show's press days are Wednesday, Nov. 20, and Thursday, Nov. 21. The show opens to the public on Saturday, Nov. 23.

Performance, fuel economy
The new downsized engines use turbocharging, direct injection and Honda's variable valve timing system, known as VTEC, to improve performance and fuel economy. The lineup:

• A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out more than 280 hp.
• A 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine.
• A 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine.

"Other companies have downsized turbos to increase fuel economy," said Yuji Matsumochi, chief engineer for Honda's new 2.0-liter turbo powerplant. "Honda had to make an engine that has better fuel economy and more powerful torque."

The 2.0-liter turbo will debut first, in mid-2015, in a European-market Civic given the Type R designation. Matsumochi said Honda is studying U.S. use.

1.5 is the new 1.8
The 1.5-liter is expected to hit the market in 2016, probably early in the year, and is geared toward North America and Asia, Matsumochi said.

Honda is considering use in such vehicles as the Acura ILX and Honda Civic and Accord, but nothing is decided, he said. "It has potential for a wide range of vehicles," he said.

The 1.5-liter engine is seen as a replacement for 1.8-liter powerplants. Compared with a 1.8-liter naturally aspirated engine, Honda said, the 1.5-liter turbocharged unit provided 15 percent better fuel economy and 45 percent better torque.

The 1.0-liter turbo is expected to be the last to market, possibly by the end of 2016, Matsumochi said. It is being considered for the United States, Europe, China and Asia.

One Honda engineer hinted that the company will monitor the success of a three-cylinder engine that Ford Motor Co. plans to sell in the United States, to see whether American consumers will embrace an engine that small.

The 1.0-liter turbo engine yields a 20 percent increase in fuel economy and a 15 percent increase in torque compared with a 1.8-liter naturally aspirated engine.

Transmission transitions
The eight-speed dual-clutch transmission follows a seven-speed dual-clutch unit that Honda unveiled earlier. Compared with a five-speed automatic, the eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox offers an increase in fuel efficiency of 8 percent or more and an increase in acceleration performance of 10 percent or more, Honda said.

Honda pairs the eight-speed with a torque converter. That aims to smooth the jerky startup often associated with dual-clutch transmissions.

Although Honda engineers and executives declined to comment on specific models, they said the automaker's transmissions will be used roughly as follows:

• Continuously variable transmissions. CVTs will become Honda's mainstay, used in its small- to mid-sized vehicles, replacing manual and automatic transmissions.
• Dual-clutch transmissions. These will be used with 2.0- to 3.0-liter engines. Some executives said the seven- and eight-speed dual-clutch transmissions may be standard equipment on some vehicles, but will be optional on others.
• Traditional automatic transmissions. These will continue to be used in larger vehicles such as the Odyssey minivan.

RLX changes
Among specific products, the current 2013 Acura RLX, powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, uses Honda's precision all-wheel steering system to enhance responsiveness.

The 2014 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid, which will go on sale next spring, will come with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and Honda's new Sport Hybrid-All Wheel Drive linked to the 3.5-liter V-6.

The SH-AWD system uses a three-motor hybrid system to redirect power, when the car is turning, from the inner wheel to the outer one to improve handling and performance.

The rear wheels get one electric motor each, while the third is integrated into the engine as a motor-generator.

• Traditional automatic transmissions. These will continue to be used in larger vehicles such as the Odyssey minivan. The SH-AWD system in the 2014 RLX Sport Hybrid uses a three-motor hybrid system to redirect power, when the car is turning, from the inner wheel to the outer one to improve handling and performance.

Honda, without providing specifics, plans to switch its existing gasoline engines to turbos "as much as possible," executives say.

Source;
http://www.autonews.com/article/20131118/OEM04/131119899/honda-readies-new-turbocharged-engines-8-speed-dual-clutch#axzz2l6V0uNIt