Production Honda CR-Zzzzzzz revealed (priced, 20k base, hits dealers in Aug)
09-30-09 | 11:40 AM
#17
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,205
Likes: 11
From: The Woodlands, TX
09-30-09 | 07:38 PM
#25
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 423
Likes: 1
From: CA
There are a lot of questions regarding this setup.
Maybe if we have any automotive engineers here who can explain to us how a stickshift setup would bode with a hybrid powertrain layout.......
In a slightly off-topic note, I was really shocked with what I searched upon regarding CVTs.
Currently, it has infinite gears and IMHO is better than a conventional auto. However, it's timing belt can not atm handle engines that have huge torque (except maybe for JATCO units that can power a Murano with a V6 engine plus AWD). Other than that, CVTs cannot handle anything higher.
Then I was shocked when the the Lexus LS Hybrid came out into the world a few years back then. V8 engine + battery and yet still, it uses a CVT box.
Is there some sort of interaction between the CVT and the battery pack then that would allow it to work in a hybrid powertrain layout? (cause current CVT trannys CANNOT survive a V8 engine)???
Maybe if we have any automotive engineers here who can explain to us how a stickshift setup would bode with a hybrid powertrain layout.......
In a slightly off-topic note, I was really shocked with what I searched upon regarding CVTs.
Currently, it has infinite gears and IMHO is better than a conventional auto. However, it's timing belt can not atm handle engines that have huge torque (except maybe for JATCO units that can power a Murano with a V6 engine plus AWD). Other than that, CVTs cannot handle anything higher.
Then I was shocked when the the Lexus LS Hybrid came out into the world a few years back then. V8 engine + battery and yet still, it uses a CVT box.
Is there some sort of interaction between the CVT and the battery pack then that would allow it to work in a hybrid powertrain layout? (cause current CVT trannys CANNOT survive a V8 engine)???
Here
Toyota's setup uses either 2 or 3 electric motors and because they are not directly connected to the engine can power the car solely on electricity. Meanwhile, Honda's setup has a thin electric motor between the engine and transmission. Although these cars cannot run on electric only unless they want to push the engine too, they gain marginal efficiency by using a very low torque engine combined with electricity to provide suitable power. Because the electric motor is before the transmission, they can use any transmission they would like. Basically, the electric motor is just a part of the engine.
09-30-09 | 11:12 PM
#26
Guest
Posts: n/a
I'm no mechanical engineer but I too have done some research on this topic. Toyota CVTs actually use a planetary gearbox and no belts, this is why they can sustain the large about of power produced by the Lexus hybrid models. They also have a leg up on efficiency. In this setup, the electric motors are actually part of the transmission. A great website to see more about this is:
Here
Toyota's setup uses either 2 or 3 electric motors and because they are not directly connected to the engine can power the car solely on electricity. Meanwhile, Honda's setup has a thin electric motor between the engine and transmission. Although these cars cannot run on electric only unless they want to push the engine too, they gain marginal efficiency by using a very low torque engine combined with electricity to provide suitable power. Because the electric motor is before the transmission, they can use any transmission they would like. Basically, the electric motor is just a part of the engine.
Here
Toyota's setup uses either 2 or 3 electric motors and because they are not directly connected to the engine can power the car solely on electricity. Meanwhile, Honda's setup has a thin electric motor between the engine and transmission. Although these cars cannot run on electric only unless they want to push the engine too, they gain marginal efficiency by using a very low torque engine combined with electricity to provide suitable power. Because the electric motor is before the transmission, they can use any transmission they would like. Basically, the electric motor is just a part of the engine.
10-06-09 | 11:25 PM
#30
Guest
Posts: n/a
Honda has ruled out any chance of fitting the forthcoming CR-Z with anything other than a hybrid powertrain.
The compact sports coupé, which echoes the CR-X of the 1990s, is expected to be launched with a 1.5 i-VTEC petrol unit with around 120bhp, linked to a 14bhp electric motor.
See the hi-res Honda CR-Z picture gallery
Honda CR-Z revealed
But Honda is adamant that the CR-Z will remain a beacon for green technology and has no plans for a sister model with a conventional combustion engine, despite the car being aimed at the Mini Cooper and VW Scirocco.
“This will definitely only be a hybrid,” a source said. “The whole direction of Honda is hybrids and this car is designed all around a hybrid powertrain. The car isn’t boring; it is responsive and fun.”
The CR-Z uses a shortened Insight platform, combining Jazz and Civic parts, and is fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox.
The CR-Z is expected to cost around £18,000 when it arrives in the UK next summer
The compact sports coupé, which echoes the CR-X of the 1990s, is expected to be launched with a 1.5 i-VTEC petrol unit with around 120bhp, linked to a 14bhp electric motor.
See the hi-res Honda CR-Z picture gallery
Honda CR-Z revealed
But Honda is adamant that the CR-Z will remain a beacon for green technology and has no plans for a sister model with a conventional combustion engine, despite the car being aimed at the Mini Cooper and VW Scirocco.
“This will definitely only be a hybrid,” a source said. “The whole direction of Honda is hybrids and this car is designed all around a hybrid powertrain. The car isn’t boring; it is responsive and fun.”
The CR-Z uses a shortened Insight platform, combining Jazz and Civic parts, and is fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox.
The CR-Z is expected to cost around £18,000 when it arrives in the UK next summer
Last edited by LexFather; 07-13-10 at 11:12 AM.