Hondanews Online Newsroom

Environmental: Honda Delivers 2013 Fit EV to Google and Stanford University

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:00:00 -0800

Honda recently delivered 2013 Fit EV battery-electric vehicles to Google Inc. and Stanford University as a part of the Honda Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program. Along with the city of Torrance, Calif., each participant is now conducting general testing as well as providing specific feedback related to the future introduction of electric vehicles. The Honda Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program participants are the first recipients of the 2013 Fit EV in the United States.

“The goal of the Honda Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program is to better understand the challenges and opportunities associated with the advancement in battery-electric technology,” said Steve Center, vice president of the Environmental Business Development Office at American Honda. “Honda has a long history with electric vehicles beginning with the introduction of our first battery-electric car, the EV Plus, nearly 15 years ago. Honda’s experience and the unique feedback that Google, Stanford University and the city of Torrance will provide will be valuable to the future introduction of battery-electric technology.”

Honda debuted the 2013 Fit EV at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show and announced plans to begin leasing the 123 city-mile per charge (76 mile range combined adjusted city/highway)1 battery-electric commuter vehicle to customers in select California and Oregon markets during the summer of 2012 with a rollout to east coast markets planned for Spring 2013. Equipped with a 20-kWh lithium-ion battery and 92- kW coaxial electric motor, the Fit EV battery can be fully recharged in as little as 3 hours when connected to a 240-volt circuit.

Google Inc.

The delivery of the Fit EV to Google Inc. was marked by an employee ride and drive. Nearly 100 ‘Googlers’ took the Fit EV for a spin around the Google Mountain View, Calif., campus. Google will now use the Fit EV as a part of its G-Fleet, an employee car-sharing service that features numerous plug-in vehicles. Google’s participation in the Honda Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program will involve analysis of vehicle usage including CO2 reduction, energy consumption on a miles/kWh basis and overall energy cost.

Stanford University Automotive Research

Over the past year, Honda has collaborated Stanford University professors, researchers and students from several departments including Mechanical Engineering and Psychology through various seminars and classes. The year-long collaboration resulted in a research direction on how to study the psychological and physical reactions of using battery-electric vehicles and how these reactions differ when driving a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle.

With the Fit EV now at Stanford, the research team will use both the battery-electric vehicle and a gasoline-powered Fit to test their theories. Successful methodology implementation will yield a goal of not only decreasing anxiety associated with new technology, but also increasing joy in the driving experience. Ultimately, the research results will help Honda to better understand customer acceptance of battery-electric vehicles and how to overcome physiological obstacles associated with the adoption of new technologies.

Connect to Honda:

Honda News & Views: http://www.honda.com/news
Honda Multimedia Newsroom (for media only): http://www.hondanews.com
Fit EV for consumers: http://www.FitEV.honda.com
Honda on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/honda
Honda on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Honda
Honda on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/honda
Honda on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/hondanews
Honda Web Site: http://www.honda.com

¹ 123 city/95 highway mile range (unadjusted); 76 combined mile range (adjusted). Preliminary estimates determined by Honda using EPA methods. Your range will vary. For additional information about EPA test methods, visit http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/label/learn-more-electric-label.shtml

Environmental: Honda Most Honored Brand on ACEEE's "Greenest Vehicles of 2012" List

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:45:00 -0800

A total of seven Honda brand vehicles earned recognition from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), including four Honda vehicles named the "greenest vehicles of 2012." In the annual ACEEE's "Green Book® Online"ranking of environmentally responsible vehicles, the near-zero emissions natural gas-powered Civic Natural Gas five-passenger sedan tied for second place, with the Insight, Civic Hybrid and CR-Z also included on the list of ACEEE's 12 most environmentally responsible vehicles available to the public.

The Insight hybrid, the compact Fit and the Odyssey minivan were also named as "greener choices of 2012" within their respective classes. This is the 14th straight year that multiple Honda vehicles have been named in the top 12.

"Honda is honored to have our natural gas vehicle and our hybrid and gasoline-powered vehicles among ACEEE's 'greenest' and 'greener' choices," said Steven Center, vice president of the Environmental Business Development Office at American Honda. "The ACEEE's annual recognition of Honda's fuel-efficient vehicles further validates our commitment to create a cleaner, more energy-efficient and sustainable transportation future."

The ACEEE ranking system uses a singular measure that incorporates fuel economy and health-related pollution impacts plus global warming and upstream emissions. All vehicles are analyzed and given a "Green Score" which is used to rank a vehicle's total environmental performance, including a list of the 12 "greenest" and 12 "meanest" vehicles along with a ranking of greenest vehicles by segment.

Named as one of the list's 'greenest vehicles,' the Civic Natural Gas is the only OEM-built, dedicated CNG passenger car assembled in the U.S. and the only vehicle certified by the EPA to meet both Federal Tier 2 Bin 2 and Inherently Low Emission Vehicle (ILEV) zero evaporative emission certification standards. Honda recently announced the expansion of Civic Natural Gas retail sales to 197 dealers in 36 states. The increased availability of the Civic Natural Gas helps bring inherently clean-burning natural gas technology to an even broader audience while also supporting diversity in transportation energy resources. Featuring new styling, enhanced feature content and increased fuel economy, the redesigned 2012 Civic Natural Gas can now be equipped with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System featuring an exclusive database of publicly accessible Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refueling stations across the United States.

Honda's Environmental Leadership
Honda has a long history of environmental innovation, including the retail introduction of America's first hybrid (1999 Honda Insight), delivery of the first fuel-cell electric vehicle in the U.S. (2002 Honda FCX) and the first gasoline-powered vehicles in the hands of consumers to meet stricter emissions standards, including: the 1996 Honda Civic, the first gasoline Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV); the 1998 Honda Accord, the first gasoline Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV); the 2000 Honda Accord, the first gasoline Super Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV); and the 2001 Civic Natural Gas, the first vehicle to quality as an Advanced Technology Partial-Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV). The Honda Fit EV and the Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid, both coming soon, will be the next critical steps in Honda's portfolio approach to alternative fueled vehicles.

For more information or downloadable high-resolution images of Honda award winners and other Honda vehicles, please visit www.hondanews.com. Consumer information is available at www.honda.com. For more information on ACEEE, visit http://www.greenercars.org.

Connect with Honda:
Honda Media Newsroom (for journalists): www.hondanews.com
Honda (for consumers): automobiles.honda.com
Honda on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Honda
Honda on YouTube: www.youtube.com/honda
Honda on Flickr: www.flickr.com/hondanews
Honda on Twitter: www.twitter.com/honda
Honda on Google+

ACEEE's Green Book® Online — GREENEST VEHICLES OF 2012

Make and Model	Specifications	Emission Standard a	MPG: City	MPG: Hwy	Green Score
MITSUBISHI I-MIEV b	Electric (Li-ion bat.)	ZEV	3.8	2.9	58
HONDA CIVIC NATURAL GAS c	1.8L 4, auto [CNG]	PZEV / Bin 2	27	38	55
NISSAN LEAF	Electric (Li-ion bat.)	ZEV	3.1	2.7	55
TOYOTA PRIUS d	1.8L 4, auto CVT	PZEV / Bin 3	51	48	54
HONDA INSIGHT	1.3L 4, auto CVT	PZEV	41	44	53
SMART FORTWO CABRIOLET / COUPE	1.0L 3, manual [P]	ULEV II / Bin 5	34	38	53
SCION IQ	1.3L 4, auto CVT	ULEV II / Bin 5	36	37	52
HONDA CIVIC HYBRID e	1.5L 4, auto CVT	PZEV / Bin 2	44	44	52
LEXUS CT200H	1.8L 4, auto CVT	SULEV II / Bin 3	43	40	51
TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID LE	2.5L 4, auto CVT	PZEV / Bin 3	43	39	51
HONDA CR-Z	1.5L 4, auto CVT	PZEV	35	39	50
TOYOTA YARIS	1.5L 4, manual	ULEV II / Bin 5	30	38	50
[CNG] denotes compressed natural gas fuel. [P] denotes premium gasoline. "auto CVT" denotes continuously variable automatic transmission. a A listing with two emission standards (e.g., Tier 2 bin 2/ PZEV) denotes a single vehicle carrying both a Federal and a California emission certification. Green Scores for such listings reflect the cleaner of the two certifications. b Fuel economy for electric vehicles is provided in miles per kilowatt-hour. c Compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle fuel economy given in gasoline-equivalent miles per gallon. d The Toyota Prius V earns a Green Score of 51 e The Honda Civic Hybrid runs on a Lithium Ion battery

Environmental: Honda's Cumulative Worldwide Hybrid Vehicle Sales Reaches 800,000 Units

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:01:00 -0800

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that Honda's cumulative worldwide hybrid vehicle sales surpassed 800,000 units as of the end of December 2011. This milestone was reached 12 years and two months after the start of sales of the first generation Honda Insight in Japan in November 1999.

Honda introduced the first-generation Insight, Civic Hybrid and Accord Hybrid equipped with Honda's original lightweight and compact Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system. More recently, following the introduction of the second-generation Insight in 2009, Honda has introduced a total of six new hybrid models in the last three years to expand the hybrid vehicle lineup and sales. Honda's annual worldwide hybrid sales for 2011 was approximately 200,000 units (up 30 percent compared to 2010), and Honda's total hybrid sales during the last three years exceeded 500,000 units. In Japan, the ratio of hybrid vehicles exceeded 45 percent of all new Honda vehicle registrations for the month of December 2011. Cumulative hybrid sales in North America reached 338,872 units as of December 2011.

As of today, Honda sells seven hybrid models in approximately 50 countries around the world. In addition, the market introduction of the ILX, the first Acura brand model equipped with a hybrid system, is scheduled for spring 2012 in North America.

Under the global environmental slogan of "Blue Skies for Our Children," Honda will continue its efforts to realize the further market penetration of hybrid vehicles to create a low carbon society.

History of Honda's Hybrid Models

Year	Month / Model introduced to the market	Honda's Cumulative Worldwide Hybrid Vehicle Sales
1999	November: First-generation Insight
2001	December: Civic Hybrid
2004	December: Accord Hybrid (North America only)
2005		April: 100,000 units
2007		May: 200,000 units
2009	February: Second-generation Insight	August: 400,000 units
2010	February: CR-Z October: Fit Hybrid	December: 600,000 units
2011	June: Fit Shuttle Hybrid (Japan only) October: Freed Hybrid (Japan only) Freed Spike Hybrid (Japan only)	December: 800,000 units

Connect with Honda:
Honda Media Newsroom (for journalists): www.hondanews.com
Honda Future Vehicles (for consumers): automobiles.honda.com/future-cars
Honda on YouTube: www.youtube.com/honda
Honda on Flickr: www.flickr.com/hondanews
Honda on Twitter: www.twitter.com/honda

Environmental: Honda Issues 2011 North American Environmental Report

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:00:00 -0800

Improved U.S. automobile fleet fuel efficiency by 4.1 percent
Virtually eliminated waste to landfill from manufacturing operations
Eliminated 5.6 million miles of truck travel from OEM parts distribution
Added three new LEED-certified buildings for industry-leading 11 'green' buildings
Attained voluntary CO2 reduction goals for 2010 and announced new goals for 2020

Honda today released its seventh annual report on the environmental impact of the company's operations in the North American region, including the United States, Canada and Mexico. The 2011 North American Environmental Report, published in electronic format only, can be viewed and downloaded here. Highlights of the 2011 North American Environmental Report include:

Products - the CO2-adjusted fleet-average fuel economy of Honda and Acura automobiles sold in the U.S. in model year 2010 rose 1 mpg, or 4.1%, to 25.6 mpg, versus the previous model year. This compares with a U.S. auto industry average increase of 0.1 mpg, or 0.4%, during the same period. Further, the fleet average fuel economy of Honda motorcycles sold in North America in FY2011 was improved 12.0% from the FY2000 baseline.
Purchasing - an estimated 5.6 million miles of truck travel and 6,743 metric tons of CO2 emission associated with the transportation for mass production parts from North American suppliers to Honda plants in North America were avoided through strategic planning and numerous other "green logistics" initiatives.
Manufacturing - waste to landfills was reduced 91.9% from the FY2001 baseline to less than 0.5% of all operating waste from manufacturing, allowing Honda to achieve its goal of virtually zero waste to landfills for all 14 of its plants in the region, including 10 plants operating with absolutely zero waste to landfill.
The CO2 emission intensity of automobile production in the region rose 2.5% from the FY2001 baseline but fell 3.7% from the previous fiscal year as a result of significant efforts to improve the energy efficiency of production.
The energy intensity of automobile production—from electricity and natural gas consumption, representing approximately 96% of total energy use—fell 7.2% from the FY2001 baseline and 5.9% from the previous fiscal year.
Sales and Service - 100% of the trucks delivering Honda and Acura automobiles in the U.S. were certified under the U.S. EPA's SmartWay Transport initiative. Further, 2.2 million pounds of corrugated packaging material and 21,000 wood pallets used in the transport of Honda service parts were eliminated.
Administration - three new facilities received LEED Green-Building certification, giving Honda an industry-leading 11 LEED-certified facilities in North America. Further, conservation efforts at the company's North American headquarters in Torrance, Calif., resulted in a 50% reduction in the volume of materials needing to be recycled over the past five years.
Global CO2 Targets - Honda achieved all but one of its voluntary goals, set in 2006, for a 10% reduction of CO2 emissions from both its products and production operations compared to 2000 levels, including a 12.4% reduction in emissions from Honda and Acura global vehicle fleet. Although the CO2 emissions intensity of automobile production was reduced 6.3% from 2000 levels, the goal of a 10% reduction was not achieved due to the severe reduction in North American production volumes as a result of the global economic recession. In 2011, Honda announced a new target, to be achieved by the end of 2020, to reduce CO2 emissions from the use of its automobile, motorcycle and power equipment product lines by 30 percent, as compared to year 2000 levels.

The 2011 North American Environmental Report covers the company's operations during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 (FY2011) and utilizes a lifecycle assessment (LCA) model to report on the environmental impact of Honda's R&D, manufacturing and sales activities in the North America region. The report looks at the environmental performance of the company's automobile, powersports, and power equipment products, its 14 major manufacturing plants operating in North America, and the corporate activities of 17 Honda group companies in the region. To help reduce the environmental impact of its environmental reporting activities, the company publishes the report in electronic format only. Highlights of the report can also be viewed at corporate.honda.com/environment/2011-report/. The full report is also available for download at the site and at Honda's U.S. media web site at www.hondanews.com.

Additional information on Honda's environmental performance outside of North America can be found in Honda Motor Company's Environmental Report, with a focus on the company's activities in Japan - available at world.honda.com (or by clicking here).

Executive Quote
"We are accelerating our efforts to rapidly advance the environmental performance of our products and operations throughout the region," said Tetsuo Iwamura, chief operating officer of Honda's North American Regional Operation. "The challenges of global climate change and energy scarcity are fundamental issues that require us to think innovatively about every aspect of our operations, and to find new ways of increasing our efficiency for the benefit of our customers and society."

Honda Environmental Leadership
Honda is a leader in the development of leading-edge technologies to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. Honda has led the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) rankings of overall vehicle environmental performance since 2000, and a Honda vehicle has topped the list of America's greenest vehicles, from the America Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), for eleven consecutive years.
In 2006, Honda became the first automaker to announce voluntary CO2 emissions reduction targets for its global fleet of automobile, powersports and power equipment products and its global network of manufacturing plants. Today, the company is striving for even greater reductions in CO2 emissions that contribute to global climate change, while also working to minimize waste to landfill, water use and the total environmental footprint of its operations worldwide.

Media Contact Information:
Marcos Frommer (American Honda Motor Co., Inc.): 310-781-5542
Ron Lietzke (Honda of America Mfg, Inc.): 937-644-6627

Connect with Honda:
Honda Media Newsroom (for journalists): www.hondanews.com
Honda Civic for consumers: www.automobiles.honda.com/Civic
Honda on YouTube: www.youtube.com/honda
Honda on Flickr: www.flickr.com/hondanews
Honda on Twitter: www.twitter.com/honda
Honda on Facebook: http://facebook.com/honda
Honda Civic on Facebook: http://facebook.com/hondacivic

Environmental: Honda Associate Assembles a Civic Natural Gas Vehicle

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:00:00 -0800

Honda Associate Assembles a Civic Natural Gas Vehicle

Environmental: NAER 2011 Cover Memo

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:00:00 -0800

NAER 2011 Cover Memo

Environmental: Honda Delivers a 2013 Fit EV to the City of Torrance

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:53:00 -0800

Honda Delivers a 2013 Fit EV to the City of Torrance

Environmental: Honda Delivers a 2013 Fit EV to the City of Torrance

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:53:00 -0800

Honda Delivers a 2013 Fit EV to the City of Torrance

Environmental: Honda Begins Deliveries of 2013 Fit EV

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:30:00 -0800

Honda delivered a 2013 Fit EV battery-electric vehicle to the city of Torrance today as one of the first major steps in the Honda Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program, a prelude to the retail market launch of the Fit EV with customers in California and Oregon this summer.

The delivery was marked by a ceremony at the Torrance City Hall, at which a key to the Fit EV was presented to Torrance Mayor Frank Scotto by Steve Center, vice president of the Environmental Business Development Office at American Honda.

"This is an exciting day as we take another important step toward Honda's comprehensive vision for reducing CO2 emissions while at the same time advancing our relationship with the city of Torrance," said Steve Center. "Honda has a long history with electric vehicles starting with the introduction of our first battery-electric car, the EV Plus, nearly 15 years ago. With Honda's extensive experience and the real-world feedback from the city of Torrance, we will be even more prepared for the further customer adoption of electric vehicles."

Over the past year, Honda and the city of Torrance have worked together to gather input from Torrance residents about potential recharging station locations and jointly participated in numerous public awareness events with a Fit EV test vehicle. Honda and the city will continue to further these initiatives while also studying local government fleet usage of an electrified vehicle. The city of Torrance will also receive a Honda plug-in hybrid for additional testing at a later date.

"Today, in our partnership with Honda and their continuing efforts in renewable technologies, we will be driving into a more sustainable future," said city of Torrance Mayor Frank Scotto.

Honda unveiled the 2013 Fit EV at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show and announced plans to begin leasing the 123 city-mile per charge (76 mile range combined adjusted city/highway)¹ battery-electric commuter vehicle to its U.S. customers in the summer of 2012. Equipped with a 20 kWh lithium-ion battery and 92 kW coaxial electric motor, the Fit EV battery can be fully recharged in as little as 3 hours when connected to a 240-volt circuit.

Honda Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program
As part of the Honda Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program, Honda will test the Fit EV with Google Inc. and Stanford University, in addition to the City of Torrance, California. Each program participant will provide Honda with real-world feedback on the Fit EV. Individually, each participant will use the Fit EV to further initiatives such as research into human behavior and various usages like personal, fleet and car-sharing.

Honda Environmental Leadership
In addition to the Fit EV, Honda is a leader in the development of leading-edge technologies to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. Honda has led the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) rankings of overall vehicle environmental performance since 2000, and a Honda vehicle has topped the list of America's greenest vehicles, from the America Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), for eleven consecutive years.

In 2006, Honda became the first automaker to announce voluntary CO2 emissions reduction targets for its global fleet of automobile, powersports and power equipment products and its global network of manufacturing plants. Today, the company is striving for even greater reductions in CO2 emissions that contribute to global climate change, while also working to minimize waste, water use and the total environmental footprint of its operations worldwide.

Connect to Honda:
Honda News & Views: http://www.honda.com/news
Honda Multimedia Newsroom (for media only): http://www.hondanews.com
Fit EV for consumers: http://www.FitEV.honda.com
Honda on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/honda
Honda on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Honda
Honda on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/honda
Honda on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/hondanews
Honda Web Site: http://www.honda.com

Environmental: Honda Announces Revolutionary Next-generation "Earth Dreams Technology"

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:41:00 -0800

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced the outline for a revolutionary next-generation technology for automobiles called "Earth Dreams Technology."

"Earth Dreams Technology" is a next generation set of technological advancements which greatly enhance both driving performance and fuel efficiency at a high level, using as its base advanced environmental technologies to pursue the joy of driving unique to Honda. It is a series of measures in which efficiency of internal combustion components including engine, and transmission, as well as electric-powered motor technology, is further improved.

Through its implementation first in the mini-vehicle N BOX and gradually onto other vehicle models, Honda aims to achieve top-of-industry fuel efficiency for every category within three years, while simultaneously setting a timeline of 2020 to reduce by 30% CO2 emissions for all products sold worldwide, relative to emission figures for 2000.

"Earth Dreams Technology" is an expression for a set of technologies which takes into account both our need to protect the environment and our desire to provide a joy of driving.

■Key features of "Earth Dreams Technology"

A gasoline engine which realizes top level driving performance and fuel efficiency.
A compact diesel engine which realizes the world's lightest body^*1, top-of-class^*1 acceleration performance and fuel efficiency.
CVT which combines at a high level the fun of driving and fuel efficiency.
A two-motor hybrid system which realizes top-of-industry efficiency^*1.
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.

■Summary of key features

1. Gasoline engine which achieves top-of-industry driving performance and fuel efficiency

By enhancing Honda's original VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control System) technology to thoroughly improve thermal efficiency and minimize friction, a combination of high output and fuel efficiency was achieved. Further, a new engine series employing a new structure for higher expandability was developed.
By gradually renewing the engine starting with the mini-vehicle N BOX, Honda aims to utilize this technology to achieve top-of-industry output and fuel efficiency in every vehicle class within three years.
A wide range of engine classes including the 660cc, 1.3L, 1.5L, 1.8L, 2.0L, 2.4L, and 3.5L classes will feature the technology.

[660cc class engine]

Employs DOHC and VTC (Variable Timing Control) to improve intake efficiency. Further, the compact combustion chamber realizes high thermal efficiency.
By shortening the bore pitch compared to the present engine models and reducing the thickness of the cylinder block and camshaft, engine weight is reduced by 15%^*3 and fuel efficiency is improved by 10%^*3.

[1.3 to 1.5L class engine]

Employs VTC, direct injection technology and the Atkinson cycle using the DOHC, VTEC technologies as the base.
Extensive friction reduction measures are implemented.

[1.8 to 2.0L class engine]

Employs direct injection technology and the Atkinson cycle using the DOHC, VTEC technologies as the base. Further, implementation of VTC and high-capacity EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) to both the intake and exhaust ports realizes significantly reduced friction.
For the 2.0L class hybrid vehicle engines, use of an electric water pump eliminates the need for a belt in the auxiliary device and contributes to a reduction in friction. The VTC system allows fuel-efficient driving in various driving styles.

[2.4L class engine]

Based on the DOHC and VTEC technologies, it employs VTC and direct injection technology and implements extensive friction reduction measures.
Standalone engine features 5%^*3 improvements in fuel efficiency and output as well as a 10%^*3 improvement in maximum torque compared to the previous engine.

[3.5L class engine]

Employs new valve train mechanisms and direct injection technology in the SOHC, VTEC, VMC systems to improve by over 10%^*3 of fuel efficiency and 5%^*3 of output, relative to the present standalone engine model.

2. A compact diesel engine which realizes the world's lightest body^*1, top-of-class^*1 acceleration performance and fuel efficiency.

Through optimizing engine rigidity and combustion pressure, an aluminum open deck for the cylinder block was enabled in this top-of-industry lightweight^*1 1.6L class diesel engine.
By downsizing from the present 2.2L engine and extensively reducing mechanical friction in each section, a friction level equivalent to present gasoline engine models was achieved.
Optimized thermal management system thanks to improvements in the cooling system reduces CO2 output by over 15%^*3.
Employment of a compact, high-efficiency turbocharger and weight reduction in the reciprocating sliding section realizes a sporty and nimble ride.

3. CVT which combines at a high level the fun of driving and fuel efficiency.

Three CVT structures for mini, compact, and mid-size vehicle classes are newly developed to be adopted for a variety of engine models.
Reinforced belt is used to realize a structure for which a wide ratio range can be set.
Implementation of analysis technology over the contact behavior between the belt and pulley, and a high-precision hydraulic control system allows for continual optimization of hydraulic pressure to the pulley under a variety of driving conditions, contributing to improved fuel efficiency.
Use of an electronic oil pump to realize an idle stop system with high response contributes significantly to improved usability and fuel efficiency.
"G-Design Shift", a new coordinated control system for shift transmission, throttle, and hydraulic control responds quickly to driver demands and realizes an exhilarating, sporty drive with superior acceleration.
In the mini-vehicle class, a control mechanism and innovations in axle placement to reduce the engine size lengthwise, while a reduction in parts by simplifying the transmission casing structure helps realize a lightweight and compact body.
For the compact and mid-size classes, in addition to the reductions in size and weight, transmission efficiency was greatly improved by expanding the ratio range to achieve fuel efficiency improvements of 5%^*3 and 10%^*3 compared to the conventional CVT and comparable 5ATs, respectively.

4. A two-motor hybrid system which realizes top-of-industry efficiency^*1.

A two-motor hybrid system featuring top-of-industry efficiency^*1 enhancing driving performance and reduced CO2 emissions has been newly developed.
Special lithium-ion battery and charger is employed to enable mounting on plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Mid-sized vehicles equipped with this system are scheduled to begin production, starting with the plug-in hybrid model in 2012 and the hybrid model in 2013.
Three driving modes allowing for top-of-industry efficiency^*1 for various driving environments were developed; an "EV driving mode" for urban environments, a "hybrid driving mode" using electricity generated by the motor, and a "engine-connected driving mode" where the engine and tires are mechanically connected during high-speed cruising.
Combination with a high-output 120kW motor allows for superior environmental performance and driving enjoyment.

5. A high-efficiency, high output electric SH-AWD hybrid system which combines superior driving and environmental performance.

A new hybrid system, electric SH-AWD, was developed for large-sized vehicles. By combining a 3.5L, V6 engine with this hybrid system, acceleration equivalent to V8 engines, as well as fuel efficiency equal or superior to in-line 4-cylinder engines were realized.
An electric 4WD system with independent 20kW+ motors on both sides for the rear wheels combines a 7-speed dual clutch transmission system with a built-in 30kW+ high-efficiency motor with the engine.
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 output was realized.
By mounting two independent motors in the rear and employing a newly developed bilateral torque adjustable control system, incredibly tight cornering just like driving "on-the-rail" is realized. With this mechanism, Honda strives to provide a stable ride for various driving environments.

6. A compact, high efficiency electric powertrain for EVs.

Thanks to the high efficiency coaxial motor, low-friction gearbox and electric servo brake system, the system realizes the highest electrical consumption capability in the world*1, meeting the required AC consumption rate of 29kWh/100mile(116MPGe) as set forth by the United States.
A traveling distance of 123 miles^*2(LA-4mode: unadjusted) or 210km^*2(JC08 mode) was achieved thanks to the mounting of a high capacity lithium-ion battery.
When using the 240V U.S. electric source, a full charge takes less than 3 hours. (From the time a low-charge signal is lit till full charge)
By offering three driving modes (SPORT, NORMAL, ECON), the driver can freely select from a number of options to meet the needs of various driving styles such as power-saving or sporty drive.

*1 Honda internal research (as of November 30, 2011)
*2 Honda calculations
*3 Compared to Honda products

Publicity materials relating to this press release are available at the following URL:
http://hondanews.info/en/

(The site is intended exclusively for the use of journalists.)

Environmental: Honda Introduces Next-generation 'Earth Dreams' Technologies