https://global.honda/en/newsroom/news/2024/c241105ceng.html?from=latest_area Very interesting and much more like the innovative and daring Honda of old.
Yes, very interesting indeed and I'm thinking the engine is based on their recent 750 twin which is getting rave reviews at the moment - 91 bhp & 55 ft-lb. If so that would make it ~1100 cc. How much electrical power does such a device need? but having said that I'm also wondering if it isn't running all the time and is only called upon when required...
I really like this, something different. Honda have said they are keen to get it into production as well so hopefully it won’t just be another concept that goes nowhere.
Its nice to see that Honda are still innovating in internal combustion engines in this age of a push towards battery power. I don't see why an electrical compressor doesn't need an intercooler. Heat is generated when you compress air, whether that be by turbo, supercharger, oe electrical compressor.
I wonder this also, but I imagine they aren’t suffering heat soak as they are able to run it not physically bolted to the block like a supercharger. I know on my Mini for example the whole supercharger heats up with the engine block so you are onto a looser before you start smashing air through the compressor.
Could it be a great deal of compression isn't required and what there is will only be applied intermittently. Do you still need a forced charge at steady revs or when bimbling about? The quote from Honda's press release "which is able to control compression of the intake air irrespective of engine rpm"
the Beauty of electric charging is that they can dial in a base map for the charger, essentially at normal road speeds it will spin at a speed that simulates ‘natural’ airflow and pressure conditions in the airbox for a NA engine. essentially we enter a world where on told of the engine map, the supercharger can be completely mapped to alter charge characteristics etc. it has a lot of potential, if you study how it’s done in the car world it’s pretty cool. VW for example use them as pre-spool so they can run massive turbos, and in the case of the newest porches, it uses electric to spin up a massive single turbo.
