Honda Says its Cars Will Be Industry’s Most Efficient in Three Years!

While most were distracted gawking at Subaru’s new BRZ and Toyota’s new 86 sports cars, Honda quietly announced its new Earth Dreams Technology at last week’s Tokyo Motor Show. What exactly is “Earth Dreams Technology?” Earth Dreams is Honda’s new multifaceted engineering tour-de-force with which it expects to achieve best-in-industry fuel efficiancy   within three years, and to reduce its global CO2 output by 30 percent by 2020.

Honda plans to achieve best-in-industry fuel economy with Earth Dreams by introducing six different technologies into its lineup. Arguably the run-of-the-mill gasoline engine is going to be the backbone of Honda’s Earth Dreams. With its gasoline engines, Honda aims to, “Realize top level driving performance and fuel efficiency,” by upgrading its VTEC system  to minimize friction and improve thermal efficiency , adding direct-injection and VTC (Variable Timing Control) to many engines, and even implementing the Atkinson cycle, more common on hybrid drivetrains, on most of its engines.

Honda is also planning on significantly updating its diesel engine lineup – the place where it’s traditionally been weakest in markets like Europe, which favor oil-burners over gas engines. Honda’s future diesels will be reduced in size (down to 1.6-liters from 2.2-liters), and reduced in weight by upping rigidity and adding an aluminum open deck design for the cylinder block. Honda’s Earth Dreams diesel will also incorporate a compact turbocharger and a revised thermal management system. Honda said that all of these technologies will combine to help reduce its diesel engine CO2 output by over 15 percent.

Honda’s next step in Earth Dreams is one enthusiasts will probably bemoan; the widespread use of CVTs in its lineup, replacing the dated five-speed automatic. Honda said it will have three new CVT’s for mini, compact and midsize vehicles. Its new CVTs will use a reinforced belt, incorporate stop-start technology, and include “G-Design Shift” which will reportedly allow the transmission to, “Respond quickly to driver demands, and realize an exhilarating, sporty drive with superior acceleration.”

Honda will also incorporate a new full-hybrid system with Earth Dreams, replacing its IMA mild-hybrid system. Honda’s new hybrid system will be capable of being included in both traditional hybrid and plug-in hybrid applications. Honda’s new hybrid system will incorporate lithium ion batteries, and allow drivers to operate as an EV at low speeds, a traditional hybrid, and a mode combining the power of the engine and motor for high-speed cruising.

Winning back brownie points with enthusiasts is Earth Dreams’ new SH-AWD hybrid system. Likely to be incorporated into Acuras, electric SH-AWD will use a 308-hp 3.5-liter V-6 to power the front wheels and two electric motors producing 40-hp and 96 lb-ft of torque to power the rear wheels, all hooked up through a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Honda said that this torque vectoring setup will achieve V-8 power with I-4 efficiency – much in the same way Ford markets its EcoBoost engine lineup.

The final bullet point of Honda’s Earth Dreams is a highly-efficient electric vehicle powertrain. Honda said that its new EV powertrain will be among the most efficient in the world, consuming 29 kWh/100 miles, or 116 MPGe with an estimated range of 123 miles. Honda also said that its Earth Dream’s EV’s lithium ion batteries will be capable of being fully charged in three hours using a 240v source.

With Earth Dreams, Honda is looking to regain the place it once held as one of the most fuel-efficient brands, and best innovators in the industry. Will Earth Dreams help? Well it certainly can’t hurt.

 

Courtesy of MotorTrend