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by redwall_hp
34 days ago
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The Prius model is basically how the new Honda hybrid power train works. (I'm gearing up to buy a new Civic once my insurance gets me my payout.) It has a two motor system (traction and generator) coupled to an Atkinson cycle engine with a planetary gearbox. However, it's a 2L engine and the whole thing puts down 200hp, netting acceleration that beats a Civic SI and ~50 miles per gallon. They first trialed it in Japan and Europe as the Civic EHEV a few years ago, and as of 2025 it has replaced the Sport and Sport Touring trims' former turbocharged 1.5L power train. |
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More like an engine connected to a single very long gear (like top gear), to avoid converting from physical motion to electricity and back to physical motion, at motorway speeds. And also a clutch, to disconnect that system completely, in which case the combustion engine can drive a generator, and send electricity to another motor driving the wheels. Plus there’s a battery involved, and the motors can assist or regen when the physical drivetrain is connected.
It’s all very cool, and I expect even more efficient than the Toyota system on the open road, but a little less during city driving. I can go into why I think that, but I’m not even sure I’m right :)
https://global.honda/en/tech/two_motor_hybrid_system_honda_e...
Edit: I just wanted to add, that Civic with this drivetrain always seemed like a good choice.
I’ve tried to test-drive a Honda with this setup twice. Once the dealer misunderstood me and I drove some boring mild-hybrid CVT Insight or something. I would have even been happy trying out the dual-clutch hybrid they were using in some models then. I’d already driven their mild hybrid a few times. It got good mileage, but not as good as Toyota’s system, and didn’t have anything else going for it. The second time I hadn’t realised that they didn’t even bring this Civic into the country. We drove the regular CVT anyway, but it was a huge disappointment, knowing other countries had the e:HEV.
2nd edit: I incorrectly called the combustion engine “the motor”, which is something I do all the time, but need to avoid when talking about hybrids