Honda announces new lightweight SPORT HYBRID Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive System
Honda today revealed information on its new hybrid powertrain system that will replace the outgoing Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system on its Civic sedan, Fit, Insight and the CR-Z Coupe.
Known as the Honda SPORTS HYBRID Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive system, the new setup is a lightweight and compact one-motor hybrid solution optimized for small-sized vehicles. The system consists of a 1.5 liter 4-cylinder engine that runs a more efficient Atkinson cycle and is connected to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Honda says that the built-in high-output motor and lithium-ion battery improve efficiency by more than 30 percent.
“Together with the SPORT HYBRID Intelligent Multi Mode Drive, the world’s most efficient two-motor hybrid system optimized for mid-sized vehicles, and the SPORT HYBRID SH-AWD (Super Handling – All Wheel Drive), the three-motor hybrid system optimized for large-sized vehicles enabling independent control of torque distribution to both right and left rear wheels, the newly developed SPORT HYBRID Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive will constitute the lineup of three different Honda SPORT HYBRID systems that accommodate different vehicle characteristics,” Honda said in a statement. “Honda will continue expanding the application of these hybrid systems based on vehicle characteristics.”
Check out more details on the lineup after the jump.
SPORT HYBRID Systems Lineup
One-motor SPORT HYBRID Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive
In addition to top-level fuel efficiency in its class2, the fun of driving is realized with acceleration g-force more powerful than that of existing models as well as a rhythmic and linear acceleration feeling. This drive unit combines a newly developed inline 4-cylinder 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle engine with a 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) system with a built-in high-output motor and a Lithium-Ion battery to improve efficiency by more than 30 percent compared to a conventional one-motor hybrid system.
- The combination of the one-motor hybrid system and the engine realizes sporty driving during acceleration and high-speed cruising by using the clutches to engage the engine
- Highly efficient electric vehicle (EV) driving is realized during startup and low- to medium-speed cruising by using the clutches to disengage the engine
- This system contributes to the improvement of fuel efficiency by increasing energy regeneration using the clutches to disengage the engine during deceleration
Two-motor SPORT HYBRID Intelligent Multi Mode Drive / Plug-in:
Through the adoption of high-efficiency/high-output motors, both brisk acceleration with an EV-like driving feel and high fuel efficiency are realized at the same time. This hybrid system realizes the world’s highest efficiency1 by combining a newly-developed engine dedicated to hybrid vehicles coupled with two built-in motors and a lock-up clutch, along with a Lithium-Ion battery, and by optimally switching the driving mode among three different profiles depending on the driving situation. This hybrid system, which is also suitable as a plug-in hybrid system, will be available in the North American version of the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-in, scheduled to be introduced to the market in January 2013. The system switches the operation among the following three driving modes depending on driving conditions and the battery charge level:
- “EV Drive” for driving by the electric motor only, using electricity from the battery and regeneration during deceleration
- “Engine Drive” for medium-to high-speed cruising with the engine and axle directly connected by a lock-up clutch, with engine power mechanically transferred to the wheels
- “Hybrid Drive” for urban driving and powerful acceleration using the motor with electricity generated by the engine
Three-motor SPORT HYBRID SH-AWD ® (Super Handling – All Wheel Drive):
The combination of a V-6 engine and this high-output three-motor system realizes acceleration performance equivalent to that of a V-8 engine with fuel efficiency better than that of an inline 4-cylinder engine. A new direct-injected 3.5-liter V-6 engine is installed in the front of the vehicle and combined with a newly-developed 7-speed DCT system with a built-in motor. This unique Honda technology uses two electric motors installed in the rear to control torque distribution to the right and left rear wheels.
- Using independent motors for the right and left rear wheels, positive torque is applied to the outside wheel and negative torque is applied to the inside wheel, making independent control of torque distribution to the rear wheels possible without relying on engine output
- Depending on the radius of the curve, the energy generated by the inside wheel is recovered electrically and applied to the outside wheel to self-generate torque necessary for the vehicle to make the turn
– By: Omar Rana
