Honda Earth Dreams Technology engine

Honda Earth Dreams Technology engine

Honda has used the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show to announce a range of environmentally friendly technologies it plans to roll out grouped under the new heading of “Earth Dreams Technology”.

Similar to Mazda’s “SkyActiv” range of green technologies, Earth Dreams Technology is described as a set of advancements aimed at enhancing performance and fuel efficiency. Mainly, it is a series of measures in which efficiency of internal combustion components including the engine and transmission, as well as electric-powered motor technology, is further improved.

The aim is to achieve industry leading fuel efficiency for every segment in which Honda competes within the next three years, while simultaneously reducing CO2 emissions for all Honda products by 30 percent by the year 2020, relative to emission figures for 2000.

Those are some strong words coming from Honda but the automaker has proven to be a great innovator in the past--now let’s take a look at the firepower Honda will be adding to its arsenal.

Falling under Earth Dreams Technology will be six key developments, most of them industry leading when it comes to efficiency. They include downsized gasoline and diesel engines, a CVT, a new twin motor hybrid system, a hybrid-based SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive) system, and finally, a new electric drive system.

Of most interest is the new hybrid-based SH-AWD, which may very well debut in the replacement for the Acura NSX supercar. Developed for high-performance and full-size vehicles, the new hybrid drivetrain pairs a 3.5-liter V-6 with two electric motors and is said to offer the performance of a V-8 but with the gas mileage of a four-cylinder.

For the design, the two electric motors power the rear wheels while the V-6, which is matched with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission and integrated electric motor, drives the front wheels.

By mounting a high-performance lithium-ion battery and optimally controlling the front and rear motors, a new hybrid system with high fuel efficiency and incredibly tight cornering is said to have been achieved.

The best part is that some of these technologies will be arriving as early as next year.