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Honda counts on power of engines in a hybrid world

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by JSH, Jun 23, 2009.

  1. JSH

    JSH Senior Member

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    ".....while auto executives talk about the dawn of a new century of automobiles as gasoline-electric hybrid cars enter the mainstream, Fukui says engine technology will remain at the core of Honda's efforts.

    'Engines still have a long way to go,' he told Reuters. 'You can't improve the hybrid system without working on engines.'

    If Fukui is right, Honda has a good shot at keeping its edge in the global auto industry, at least for the foreseeable future......"



    FEATURE-Honda counts on power of engines in a hybrid world - Forbes.com

     
  2. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Well, I agree to certain extend because all the energy comes from the gas engine. In a gas-electric hybrid gasoline engine is only half of the propulsion system. The best way to save gas is not using the gas engine. Therefore, they need to also work on the electric propulsion and logic/management to enable it as well.

    That kind of thinking is exactly why IMA is inferior to HSD.
     
  3. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Finally! I can't wait to find out the tech behind it.

    Very interesting! Would the next gen Civic hybrid or the Fit hybrid have the transmission inside the engine?

    The "transmission" is already inside the Hybrid Synergy Drive (hybrid engine). HSD transmission is not mechanical but an electrical one (eCVT). It works on the principle of multiplying torque with the use of electric motor rather than changing mechanical ratio. Instead of changing gears, HSD routes power to the electric motor; hence electrically controlled thru the generator.

    It is about time Honda come up with something similar.
     
  4. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    until engines can be designed to where they waste so much heat that a radiator is required , there will always be room for improvement.

    there will come technology one day that will take that heat and convert it to something usable and that will increase efficiency, but i still think the money should go towards traffic management.

    smart streets that monitor and control the movement of cars will greatly increase gas mileage and greatly reduce accidents. sure, its a massive and daunting. the likelihood of having to tear up every street on the planet to implement sensors in the roads is scary enough much less outfitting every car with a system good enough to be hack proof will take decades and untold trillions.

    but think of the benefits. its boggles the mind, but then again, put a Prius on a street anywhere in the year 1970 and see what people would have thought of it then...

    hehehehe...ya that would be funny
     
  5. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    wasn't the origianl 2 seater insight (automatic version) hsd?
     
  6. JSH

    JSH Senior Member

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    No. The original Insight had a conventional belt and cone CVT like is currently used in the 2nd generation Insight and Civic Hybrid.
     
  7. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I believe the original Insight 2000 model year started with human labor (manual) transmission. The 2001 model was offered with a mechanical CVT. That's according to the EPA site because I couldn't find the CVT model for 2000 Insight.

    2001 Insight mCVT would get today's combined MPG of 47! Three MPG less than 2010 Prius. Talk about superiority in 9 years....
     
  8. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    Fine, they can do that for now. But as the rest of the auto industry migrates to PHEV and other [not yet discovered/invented] technologies, Honda will have to make the change if they want to survive. Also, it appears that Honda "followed" Toyota's lead when they reintroduced the Insight. Toyota is the real leader here. Do not be mistaken - of course, Honda could change that if they really wanted to - but so far, they have not.