Honda - 25 Years Hybrid Technology
Honda 25 Years Hybrid Technology
Honda is now in its fourth decade of producing hybrid vehicles, having introduced the first petrol-electric hybrid car to Europe with its revolutionary Insight in 1999.
Since then, the brand’s engineers have spent the past 25 years perfecting this type of powertrain, the fruits of which can be seen in the current fully electrified mainstream model range – namely the Jazz, Civic, HR-V, ZR-V, and CR-V which all feature the two-motor e:HEV powertrain.
Driven by a sense of responsibility to advance vehicle efficiency for societal benefit and for technical innovation, whilst also continuing to deliver the “joy of driving” to its customers, Honda has always been at the forefront of hybrid technology.
From the launch of the first generation Civic in 1972, Honda was primarily focused on petrol engines and possessed extensive expertise in this area, with its lean burn combustion process significantly lowering harmful emissions. As environmental awareness increased in the late 80s and early 90s, Honda embarked upon research into the application of petrol-electric hybrid technology, with the goal to create the most efficient vehicle in the world.
Honda’s first production hybrid vehicle was the Insight, launched in 1999. Fitted with a unique parallel hybrid Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system, this vehicle could deliver a combined fuel consumption of 3.4l/100km (83.1mpg; NEDC cycle). Over the past 25 years, Honda has further refined its technologies, developing various hybrid architectures for different applications. In addition to IMA, these include the two-motor intelligent Multi Mode Drive (i-MMD) system that is fitted across Honda’s current European e:HEV range, and the ultimate three-motor Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system in the NSX.
The ultimate realisation of Honda’s hybrid technologies has been seen on the track. The brand returned to Formula 1 as an engine supplier in 2015, at the start of the turbo hybrid era. It steadily refined its power unit, overcoming many challenges to clinch the world driver’s championship in 2021 with Max Verstappen and Oracle Red Bull Racing, the first time it had powered a title winner in the sport since 1991. Honda have since provided power units to the team in 2022 and 2023, years in which they have clinched both drivers and constructors championships.
Today, Honda’s latest e:HEV hybrids are a testament to 25-years of research and development, continuing the legacy of those models that have come before – to deliver impressive performance and responsiveness, while maintaining smooth power delivery and outstanding efficiency without compromising on the “joy of driving”.
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