Whereas Honda is dedicated to its investments in electrical car (EV) know-how with its 0 Sequence platform, the automaker additionally plans on banking onerous on hybrid know-how within the coming years.
I used to be amongst one of many fortunate journalists to be hosted by Honda in Japan. We got VIP entry to its sales space on the Japan Mobility Present, in Tokyo, the place the automaker showcased its newest EV idea, the 0 Alpha SUV, in addition to the cute and not-for-the-U.S. Tremendous-One electrical Kei automotive.
Honda then invited us to its confirmed grounds, in Tochigi, the place I drove the brand new Prelude and noticed some rad new idea automobiles and soon-to-be-released prototypes. One in every of these check mules was the Subsequent Technology Hybrid Research, a closely camouflaged Civic that appears to have been given the widebody therapy and powered by what seems to be a glorified model of the Prelude’s powertrain.
Get used to that. As a result of Honda’s next-generation efficiency autos will all be about hybrid tech, pretend gears and pumped-in engine sounds. Don’t be concerned, it may rock.
Two Totally different Hybrid Classes
Honda’s next-generation hybrids, which the automaker says will go on sale by the tip of this decade, shall be break up up into two completely different classes: the Mid-Measurement Hybrid platform, and the Full-Measurement Hybrid platform.
The latter will serve principally for bigger purposes powered by V-6 engines. Suppose autos such because the Odyssey minivan, Ridgeline pickup truck, and Passport and Pilot SUVs. Entrance-wheel-drive purposes will make use of a twin electrical motor setup, just like what Honda presently affords in its four-cylinder, hybrid autos.
One electrical motor serves as a generator to energy the automotive’s equipment, or help the inner combustion engine (ICE) below load. The opposite is built-in right into a constantly variable transmission (CVT), besides the system deletes a conventional CVT’s {hardware}, such because the belt and pulley setup. The consequence, Honda says, is a a lot faster system, one which removes the dreaded elastic really feel present in CVTs. In essence, that is an evolution of the Prelude’s S+ Shift know-how, which might additionally simulate gears that the driving force can manually shuffle by way of utilizing steering wheel-mounted paddles.
Honda did not verify this, however every little thing factors to the next-generation Odyssey inheriting this setup first. As for all-wheel-drive purposes, each the Mid- and Giant-Measurement hybrid platforms can add a 3rd electrical motor on their rear axle, just like what Toyota presently does for its all-wheel-drive hybrid fashions. After I requested the Honda spokespeople on web site if we may count on the next-generation Ridgeline to inherit this know-how, their reply was sure.
The Subsequent-Technology Civic Si Ditches Its Guide Transmission
Honda by no means confirmed that the prototype we drove was a Civic, however everybody on location hinted at it being what we may count on from the next-generation automotive, which ought to hit our marketplace for the 2027 mannequin 12 months. Given the efficiency exhaust that was fitted on the prototype and the way it carried out round Honda’s check monitor, it actually did really feel like a next-gen Civic Si.
For starters, the following Si will almost certainly drop its guide gearbox altogether, a stark distinction from the present automotive being supplied solely with a stick. A number of hints from Honda’s spokespeople on web site gave us some concept of why that’s, like the normal “manuals simply aren’t promoting anymore”, or “emissions rules are forcing us to maneuver into that path.” Once more, I stress that no one at Honda confirmed something, however no one denied my assumptions both.
Anyway, the prototype itself is principally a current-generation Civic with a widebody therapy and a entrance fascia that seems a lot wider and extra angular than the automotive we now see on our roads. Honda’s spokespeople hinted at this being the automaker’s next-generation design language, with out truly confirming what it was.
Inside, the check mule has a totally overhauled inside. Whereas closely camouflaged so we could not actually make out what it truly appeared like, the huge middle display and the totally digital show had been apparent indicators of one thing utterly completely different from what the present Civic has to supply. There was additionally a column-mounted gear-selector, a primary for any gas-powered car bought by Honda. I want I may present you, however Honda did not enable me to seize images of the prototype’s inside.
Whereas Using Simulation, The Powertrain Felt Very Natural
Honda by no means confirmed the system’s whole mixed output, however very very like the Prelude, it is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder paired with two electrical motors and the automaker’s progressive S+ Shift know-how. In easier phrases, it is an electronically-driven CVT that mimics six ahead gears, and creates torque vectoring, primarily changing a limited-slip differential.
It felt like a heftier automotive than the Prelude and, even, the present Civic. Nearly Accord-like in its dimensions and weight distribution. However the prototype additionally felt extremely steady at excessive velocity—nimble, exact, tight and straightforward to throw onerous right into a nook. Grip was immense, and torque steer from this front-drive software was just about invisible.
Probably the most shocking characteristic was the powertrain, which felt each bit as natural as Honda’s famed naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines. Whereas there was no iconic VTEC switchover sound, all of it sounded and felt linear and never like a hybrid. Maybe extra spectacular was the way in which the simulated transmission shuffled by way of its pretend gears. Speedy. Exact. Partaking. Mechanical. If something, this felt like a dual-clutch computerized.
A number of laps round Honda’s check monitor, and it was throughout too shortly. However I received out of this prototype feeling fairly impressed and assured about what’s coming subsequent at Honda.
If the good-old guide transmission is what you crave, then hurry up and soar on a Civic Si or Sort R proper now (or an Acura Integra). As a result of they’re the final of their breed at Honda. However, relaxation assured: even a hardcore fanatic like me who loves manuals got here out of this check drive happy and impressed. Good issues are coming from Honda, even in an electrified world.