Honda’s hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) technology – today referred to by the company as e:HEV – was introduced in the late 1990s. The Insight was one of the first volume-produced HEV models in the world, offering reduced emissions as well as lower fuel consumption. In fact, the first generation of the Insight which had achieved 29.4 kms/litre remained at the top of the list of the US Environmental Protection Agency up till 2015.
Over 25 years, Honda has continued to improve its HEV technology and incorporated it in the powertrains of virtually every model. In Malaysia, Honda was the first company to assemble a HEV model (the Jazz Hybrid) locally and today offers a range of models with e:HEV technology.
Continuing HEV development
While it still has a target of having fully electric vehicles represent 100% of its new vehicle sales globally by 2040, Honda recognises that demand for HEVs remains high today. To meet this demand, the automaker continues to develop better e:HEV powertrains for coming models, starting with the all-new Prelude to go on sale in 2025.
The original e:HEV system combines exceptional fuel economy with its highly efficient 2-motor system that works with a high-powered petrol engine. By optimally alternating between the motor and the engine as a source of driving force and applying highly efficient controls (depending on the driving environment and conditions), the e:HEV drivetrain achieves high fuel economy without requiring a conscious effort by the driver.
S+ Shift technology
To enhance the e:HEV powertrain, Honda has developed Honda S+ Shift technology as a new function. It has been designed to pursue the ‘Joy of driving’ (one of Honda’s 3 joys) that further accentuates the sense of oneness between the driver and the vehicle, while fully leveraging the characteristics of the e:HEV system.
The further advancement was made to the Linear Shift Control synchronizing vehicle speed with engine sound, which has been installed in e:HEV models starting with the Fit e:HEV launched in 2020. Without compromising the high environmental performance unique to HEV models, the S+ Shift precisely controls the engine speed during acceleration and deceleration to realize direct drive response and sharp gear shifting.
The S+ Shift further advances the Linear Shift Control applied to current e:HEV models, enabling gear shifts (upshift and downshift) according to the driving conditions and environments at all speed ranges. While turning, the system quickly responds to driver steering input and activates shift hold, enabling the vehicle to trace the desired driving line at the will of the driver.
By maintaining the optimal engine rpm for the particular driving conditions, the power generated by the engine during re-acceleration will be fully utilized as driving force. This greatly improves the initial response time of the motor when the driver depresses the accelerator pedal and enables overwhelmingly high response that is directly connected to driver input.
Although an e:HEV vehicle does not have a mechanical transmission mechanism, when the S+ Shift is activated, the driver can shift gears with a paddle shifter, so that the driver can enjoy driving feel as if the vehicle features a transmission system.
Moreover, the powerful engine sound synchronizes with the Active Sound Control system, enhancing engine sound quality by generating the engine sound (through the speakers) in sync with engine speed. Honda believes that, in this way, the driver’s senses can be stimulated and when driver and vehicle are ‘synchronised’, the driving can be more exhilarating.
Meaning of ‘S+ Shift’
The company explains that the letter ‘S’ in the system’s name is used in the names of Honda models and technologies such as the S600, S2000, and Type S, and represents the ‘sports spirit’. The ‘+’ indicates that this function will add new value represented by words such as ‘Synchronized’, ‘Special’ and ‘Sensational’. Finally, the word ‘Shift’’ represents the Honda desire to make a shift that takes people and automobiles to the new world.
Next-generation e:HEV
For the next-generation e:HEV powertrain, component parts, including engine and drive unit, and control technology will be renewed respectively for both the small-size system (1.5-litre engine) and the mid-size system (2.0-litre engine) to further improve environmental performance and provide a high-quality and exhilarating driving experience.
Moreover, engine and motor performance in each drive mode will be made even more efficient. In Engine Drive Mode, the fuel economy will be improved by increasing torque transmission efficiency when the engine is directly connected and also by expanding range where highly-efficient Engine Drive Mode will be used during high-speed cruising by utilizing battery assist.
The new front drive unit will feature both downsized packaging and increased efficiency. By maximizing the commonality between the drive unit for the small-size and mid-size systems, the cost will be reduced significantly, which contributes to the improvement of business viability. Honda is aiming to reduce the cost of each e:HEV model up to 50%, comparing the model to be launched in 2027 and the same model launched in 2018, respectively.