By edgy “I mean products which have environmental and safety performance as the solid base, but also a sharp point that creates a distinctive edge.”
Honda Motor Company said today in Tokyo that it aims to achieve industry leading fuel economy for every category it’s in within three years. Japan’s third largest automaker also said it would reduce CO2 emissions by 30% for all products sold worldwide by 2020, compared to Honda emission figures for 2000. (See Honda to Show AC-X Plug in Hybrid at Tokyo Motor Show)
Honda, of course, is not the only automaker to be frantically pursuing increased vehicle, engine and electric motor efficiency – whether stated publicly or not – because of ever tightening global emission and CO2 standards. It’s simply the price of survival.
The Honda program is called “Earth Dreams Technology,” in a rough translation. It is actually a series of efficiency and fuel economy boosting measures for engines, and transmissions, as well as electric-powered motors using existing or emerging technologies. Variable valve timing, direct injection, the Atkinson cycle, hybrid vehicles, turbocharging and friction reduction are part of the plan’s proposed techniques .
Earth Dreams Technology includes:
- A gasoline engine line with what’s projected to be best in class fuel efficiency in 660cc, 1.3L, 1.5L, 1.8L, 2.0L, 2.4L, and 3.5L displacements
- A compact, light weight diesel engine
- CVT or continuously variable transmission line for small, medium and mid-size cars
- A two-motor hybrid system which realizes top efficiency
- A high-efficiency, high output electric SH-AWD hybrid system which combines superior driving and environmental performance.
- A compact, high efficiency electric powertrain for EVs
