Honda plans to further develop and refine its two-motor hybrid technology, currently featured in popular models such as the Accord, CR-V, and most recently the 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid, as it strives to increase production of battery-electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles.
The automaker has issued an update on its hybrid powertrain, which will continue to be paired with 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre inline-four engines operating on the Atkinson cycle. The system’s operation remains largely unchanged, utilizing the engine as a generator while maintaining the capability to directly power the wheels via a clutch.
Notwithstanding Honda’s claims of effectiveness enhancements when the engine is utilized to propel the vehicle, as well as improved standalone fuel economy for the 1.5-liter engine. The cutting-edge hybrid system features a novel front-wheel drive unit, significantly more compact than its predecessors, equipped with a built-in cooling mechanism and boasting increased harmonization across both large and small engine applications to minimize costs, according to Honda.
Honda Prelude idea
A 2.0-liter version of the hybrid system is set to debut in tandem with a newly designed mid-size vehicle platform currently under development. According to Honda, hybrids leveraging this platform are expected to achieve a 10% boost in fuel efficiency compared to the initial two-motor hybrid models. If that’s the case, the new electric vehicle might offer a potentially substantial 10% weight reduction compared to existing hybrid models?
At its entry point, Honda is targeting a broad reach across all fashion categories using its new mid-size platform. By 2027, our goal is to reduce the cost of all hybrid models by half from their original 2018 prices. Honda reportedly has nearly reached its goal for the North America market Accord Hybrid, boasting a 25% devaluation compared to the 2018 model.
As previously announced this year, Honda is expected to debut a dedicated motor powering the rear wheels in the near future, mirroring Toyota’s approach with most of its all-wheel-drive hybrids.
Honda Prelude idea
The automaker will debut its latest innovation, a cutting-edge feature making its U.S. debut. subsequent yr. The 2022 Honda Prelude will abandon its traditional manual transmission option in favor of a continuously variable automatic (CVT) or dual-clutch automated transmission, replacing the S+ Shift feature that duplicates the texture of a drug’s shifts. While its sporty persona may dominate the conversation, it’s likely that the Prelude will leverage a familiar technology – namely, the same transmission-less hybrid setup employed by other Honda hybrids.
Hybrids are expected to remain a crucial component of the automotive landscape in the near future, with Honda, in particular, shifting its focus towards electric vehicles by 2040. The company separately announced the construction of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Japan, dedicated to producing a cutting-edge next-generation fuel-cell system with an anticipated annual output of 30,000 units. Honda appears to be shifting its focus from passenger cars to industrial vehicles, following in the footsteps of other manufacturers that have transitioned away from fuel cells for passenger use. The automaker aims to capture 5% of the fuel-cell truck market share by 2030, with a more ambitious target of securing 30% by 2040.
Passenger vehicles have a singular focus on the 0-collection electric vehicles (EVs), which made their public debut at CES 2024 with a planned manufacturing start-up in 2026. Several of these electric vehicles will be produced domestically, while the same underlying platform will also support the joint Sony-Honda Afeela model and forthcoming Acura EVs.
