Honda Shows Off New Tech In Old Wrappers
Published: November 12th, 2012
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Apparently, Honda invited some journalists to Japan so they could go check out new technology carefully packaged into existing cars, lest anyone reveal super-secret things like what the next Acura RL looks like. No matter, we’ve got everything below.
- The 2014 Honda Fit will get a new EarthDreams/CVT combo. Only a few specs were released, but we do know that it’s good for a 6 percent bump in torque and a 10 percent boost in fuel economy. The proof will be in the pudding, since 112 lb-ft of torque doesn’t sound like much of an improvement over the current Fit’s wheezy engine.
- Another Fit mule was outfitted (hehe) with Honda’s next-gen hybrid system; a 1.5L gasoline 4-cylinder with an electric motor and a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox. The new system is said to deliver a 30 percent gain in fuel economy. Maximum EV-only range is 3 km, with top speed in electric mode coming in at 70 km/h.
- The next-generation Acura RLX will come in front or all-wheel drive. The AWD version will use Honda’s new hybrid system to power the rear wheels, with a gasoline engine at the front. The FWD version will get 4-wheel steering, just like the Preludes of yesterday. Apparently, this technology might filter down to other cars as well. Who knows, maybe we’ll see the return of digital dashboards and motorized seat belts.
More by Derek Kreindler
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The RLX sounds like another bow-wow. That will make three in a row for Acura. Seems to me that for the money and trick engineering that is being put into it Acura could engineer and produce a top quality $60,000 RWD car the public might buy.
"The new system is said to deliver a 30 percent gain in fuel economy and a 15 percent impovement." - The "30 percent gain in fuel economy" sounds great, but I'm not too sure about that vague "15 percent improvement."
What I'm hoping is that the SH-SH-AWD (Sport-Hybrid Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive; what a mouthful!) will also debut in the 2014 Acura MDX (which will available next year), and that it will have a net output that is tantamount to that of a mainstream V8. Because one of Honda's biggest issues is having limited power-trains. The current Acura RL can't even compete entirely with the lackluster Lincoln MKS, because the MKS at least offers the V8-like twin-turbo EcoBoost V6, where Acura tops out at a considerably-less-powerful engine. Likewise the lack of a V8 or V8-equivalent has kept the Acura MDX from competing fully with the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne. I mean, we don't need 500 HP rockets from Acura, but it needs to start reaching for greater goals...
Why cant they put a CVT in the transaxle (instead of two speed OD), mated to a 6 speed DCT, wouldn't that achieve significant gains?