I will have the opportunity to interview Honda Chief Engineer Mr. Yoshio Yamamoto this Saturday. If you have any questions about Honda’s hybrid cars, post them below!
I met Mr. Yamamoto today while visiting the Honda booth at the Eco-Products 2008 Exhibition. Displayed was the new Honda Insight concept, which is close to the production model. I loved driving my 2000 Honda Insight and am excited about the next generation. Mr. Yamamoto and Assistant Product Manager Mr. Hatano were happy to hear from a former first generation Insight owner.
I agree with Nick Chambers that the new Insight Concept resembles the Prius, but I also thought that the second generation Prius was similar to the first generation Insight.
Mr. Yamamoto agreed to an interview this Saturday. He is the Chief Engineer and is greatly involved with the development of Honda hybrids. He is willing to explain general hybrid technologies and development, but won’t be able to divulge specific details.
So, if you have any questions or requests, please let me know by posting below this article. I plan on asking him about the CRZ hybrid and letting him know that I want a FR compact hybrid coupe. I’ll bring your questions along as well. I will check here again around noon PST on the 12th.
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Thanks Tetsuya for giving this opportunity!
I’m really interested to know about plans for diesel hybrids. I have heard from some sources that diesel engines are less beneficial in hybrid configuration because they are less apt to sudden changes in RPM which is often required of a hybrid engine.
I’d also be interested to hear his views on the decision of Honda to withdraw from Formula 1 and sell its team last week. It seemed that the implementation of hybrid technologies within the F1 rules would provide an ideal testing and innovation ground for manufacturers to develop this technology. Will Honda miss an opportunity here, or is there little cross development between racing and road applications?
Thanks very much once again!
Thanks Tetsuya for giving this opportunity!
I’m really interested to know about plans for diesel hybrids. I have heard from some sources that diesel engines are less beneficial in hybrid configuration because they are less apt to sudden changes in RPM which is often required of a hybrid engine.
I’d also be interested to hear his views on the decision of Honda to withdraw from Formula 1 and sell its team last week. It seemed that the implementation of hybrid technologies within the F1 rules would provide an ideal testing and innovation ground for manufacturers to develop this technology. Will Honda miss an opportunity here, or is there little cross development between racing and road applications?
Thanks very much once again!
Is it possible to make a diesel hybrid?
Isn’t it more effiecient to have an electric-only drive system and a gas generator (to eliminate the drive train inefficiencies)?
When will Honda bring diesel Civics to the US?
Is it possible to make a diesel hybrid?
Isn’t it more effiecient to have an electric-only drive system and a gas generator (to eliminate the drive train inefficiencies)?
When will Honda bring diesel Civics to the US?
Mr. Yokoyama,
Thank you so much for allowing us to submit questions for Mr. Yamamoto. He is one of the most important and influential engineers anywhere in the automobile industry.
What is the model year of the new Insight? I see 2010 all over the place, but it says 2009 on Honda’s Insight website.
How much does the new Insight weigh?
Is there any aluminum or plastic bodywork (eg. hood or fenders?)
What is the cofficient of drag (old Insight was 0.25)?
Does the new Insight have a spare tire?
Does the Insight’s driver seat offer height adjustment like the Civic? With the high-mounted speedometer like the Civic, height adjustment could be necessary for short drivers around the world.
How could Takeo Fukui’s assertion that the gas mileage will only approximate the Civic Hybrid’s numbers be true if this car is lighter and more aerodynamic?
Why do the wheels and door handles look so much less aerodynamic than on the old Insight? Do they actually reduce the coefficient of drag?
In the summer my Insight gets 70 mpg but now that the temperature is below freezing, I’m getting only 45-50 mpg. Has Honda addressed this disparity in the new Insight? I realize the EPA doesn’t give any bonus points for cold weather performance, but averaging 60 mpg all year long would save more gas than 70/45.
How is the Eco Assist display better than the brilliantly simple Fuel Consumption Display bargraph in the original Insight? Was the blue/green shift in the speedometer background tested with color-blind drivers?
Would Honda consider creating an extra-cost “HX” version of the new Insight with fender skirts, disc wheels, flush door handles, video mirrors, in-windshield radio antenna, more aggressive air dam, etc. for fanatic hypermilers like me? Now that Toyota is delaying the new Prius until after Honda releases the new Insight so they can dial-in better gas mileage to stay on top of the EPA fuel economy list, the HX strategy would seem to make sense.
Mr. Yokoyama,
Thank you so much for allowing us to submit questions for Mr. Yamamoto. He is one of the most important and influential engineers anywhere in the automobile industry.
What is the model year of the new Insight? I see 2010 all over the place, but it says 2009 on Honda’s Insight website.
How much does the new Insight weigh?
Is there any aluminum or plastic bodywork (eg. hood or fenders?)
What is the cofficient of drag (old Insight was 0.25)?
Does the new Insight have a spare tire?
Does the Insight’s driver seat offer height adjustment like the Civic? With the high-mounted speedometer like the Civic, height adjustment could be necessary for short drivers around the world.
How could Takeo Fukui’s assertion that the gas mileage will only approximate the Civic Hybrid’s numbers be true if this car is lighter and more aerodynamic?
Why do the wheels and door handles look so much less aerodynamic than on the old Insight? Do they actually reduce the coefficient of drag?
In the summer my Insight gets 70 mpg but now that the temperature is below freezing, I’m getting only 45-50 mpg. Has Honda addressed this disparity in the new Insight? I realize the EPA doesn’t give any bonus points for cold weather performance, but averaging 60 mpg all year long would save more gas than 70/45.
How is the Eco Assist display better than the brilliantly simple Fuel Consumption Display bargraph in the original Insight? Was the blue/green shift in the speedometer background tested with color-blind drivers?
Would Honda consider creating an extra-cost “HX” version of the new Insight with fender skirts, disc wheels, flush door handles, video mirrors, in-windshield radio antenna, more aggressive air dam, etc. for fanatic hypermilers like me? Now that Toyota is delaying the new Prius until after Honda releases the new Insight so they can dial-in better gas mileage to stay on top of the EPA fuel economy list, the HX strategy would seem to make sense.
My question:
I’d like to know how the new Insight’s IMA hybrid system will function in slow, stop-&-go traffic: Will the gasoline engine stay on throughout the go-slow process? Or will it cycle ON & OFF, starting up every time the driver steps off the brake? Or can it stay in only-electric mode at low speed, up to a threshhold speed when the engine starts?
My question:
I’d like to know how the new Insight’s IMA hybrid system will function in slow, stop-&-go traffic: Will the gasoline engine stay on throughout the go-slow process? Or will it cycle ON & OFF, starting up every time the driver steps off the brake? Or can it stay in only-electric mode at low speed, up to a threshhold speed when the engine starts?
I’m a very happy Civic owner – like the solid car and I cannot find a car that gets better highway mileage.
I would like to know if/when Honda can get to 100mpg for highway mileage. Even with gas prices lower, I’m a little weary of sending so much $$$ to the Middle East for oil.
Having said that, I don’t really care how we get there – gas, diesel, hybrid – whatever it takes.
Does Honda have a timeline for when they can break 100 mpg?
What sort of obstacles are there that make this difficult?
It seems that most cars top out around 35 mpg – is this due to a hard barrier, or do the car manufacturers suffer from group-think?
I’ve also heard that there is a tradeoff between horsepower and efficiency.
Is Honda looking at a way that the driver could decide on which is more important?
For example, I would love to select efficiency for the highest mileage most of the time – but I would like the option to choose horsepower if I need to get out of the way of a truck.
Also, I live in the snow-belt in Ohio – could I be part of the testing program for new cars?
I’m a very happy Civic owner – like the solid car and I cannot find a car that gets better highway mileage.
I would like to know if/when Honda can get to 100mpg for highway mileage. Even with gas prices lower, I’m a little weary of sending so much $$$ to the Middle East for oil.
Having said that, I don’t really care how we get there – gas, diesel, hybrid – whatever it takes.
Does Honda have a timeline for when they can break 100 mpg?
What sort of obstacles are there that make this difficult?
It seems that most cars top out around 35 mpg – is this due to a hard barrier, or do the car manufacturers suffer from group-think?
I’ve also heard that there is a tradeoff between horsepower and efficiency.
Is Honda looking at a way that the driver could decide on which is more important?
For example, I would love to select efficiency for the highest mileage most of the time – but I would like the option to choose horsepower if I need to get out of the way of a truck.
Also, I live in the snow-belt in Ohio – could I be part of the testing program for new cars?
Will there be a manual transmission available?
Will the battery pack and associated components have the same extended warranty as on my 2001 Insight?
Will there be a manual transmission available?
Will the battery pack and associated components have the same extended warranty as on my 2001 Insight?
I have a new Insight on order in R.I. I bought a new Insight in 1999. Still drive it and love it. My question(s)
1. Will the new Insight use an all electric A/C compressor?
2. Will you use the prizmatic NiMH modules like the GM 2 mode or stay with round cells?
3. Will the New Insight have an electric mode like the Gen II Civic HEV?
4. Will the Rankine Cycle system (explained at SAE Congress) be used?
5. How much aluminum is used for the body?
Hope there is time for all this.
I have a new Insight on order in R.I. I bought a new Insight in 1999. Still drive it and love it. My question(s)
1. Will the new Insight use an all electric A/C compressor?
2. Will you use the prizmatic NiMH modules like the GM 2 mode or stay with round cells?
3. Will the New Insight have an electric mode like the Gen II Civic HEV?
4. Will the Rankine Cycle system (explained at SAE Congress) be used?
5. How much aluminum is used for the body?
Hope there is time for all this.
Will it be a FFV?
Will it be a FFV?
How do they determine the body styles of their new vehicles?
How do they determine the body styles of their new vehicles?
Im a big believer in renewables/green tech/etc., however when it comes to electric vehicles, I keep hearing the same question over and over…
Generally speaking, how do you justify electric cars as clean / emission free cars when they use up electricity generated from coal fired plants?
Im a big believer in renewables/green tech/etc., however when it comes to electric vehicles, I keep hearing the same question over and over…
Generally speaking, how do you justify electric cars as clean / emission free cars when they use up electricity generated from coal fired plants?
Will the new Insight be a plug-in hybrid capable of running in electric mode?
Why hasn’t Honda and many others included wheel motors in their designs? That will eliminate a lot of drive train and mechanical brakes.
Is Honda considering any ot the carbon nano-tube capacitors instead of batteries?
Will the new Insight be a plug-in hybrid capable of running in electric mode?
Why hasn’t Honda and many others included wheel motors in their designs? That will eliminate a lot of drive train and mechanical brakes.
Is Honda considering any ot the carbon nano-tube capacitors instead of batteries?
Mark Seall
A long time ago Formula 1 was a series that provided much development that could be transferred to production cars. Currently however it is just another racing series controlled by billionaire with strict rules on technology that actually prevents innovative technology and focuses on incremental development of existing technology. This can be traced back to the use of the Lincoln EEC IV engine control module rather than developing a completely new one. It seems that the Lincoln module had more than enough capability to handle all of the Formula 1 needs with much capability left unused.
It still provides some great racing though. At least it doesn’t have a full course “debris” yellow to bunch the field and prevent the leader from putting the promoter’s favorite a lap down.
Mark Seall
A long time ago Formula 1 was a series that provided much development that could be transferred to production cars. Currently however it is just another racing series controlled by billionaire with strict rules on technology that actually prevents innovative technology and focuses on incremental development of existing technology. This can be traced back to the use of the Lincoln EEC IV engine control module rather than developing a completely new one. It seems that the Lincoln module had more than enough capability to handle all of the Formula 1 needs with much capability left unused.
It still provides some great racing though. At least it doesn’t have a full course “debris” yellow to bunch the field and prevent the leader from putting the promoter’s favorite a lap down.
I keep harping on this point but the plain fact is that trading Internal combustion engines for Coal or Oil fired Electrical plants in these planned plugin hybrids is an issue. Most of the country is suffering from nimby-itis whan it comes to building a new power plant. So where do the plants go? I understand that the efficency of these plants to make electricity is probably higher than the IC engine to make circualr motion but we are already short on power, ask CA if you don’t beleive me. Building otehr power plants needs to be on the table and a plan put forth. I guess the question is how much more effcient are these electrical cars over an IC engine not in MPG but in Kilowatts to move the car. How Kilowatts per Car is required to charge them. This ought to give us some insight into future power plant needs.
I keep harping on this point but the plain fact is that trading Internal combustion engines for Coal or Oil fired Electrical plants in these planned plugin hybrids is an issue. Most of the country is suffering from nimby-itis whan it comes to building a new power plant. So where do the plants go? I understand that the efficency of these plants to make electricity is probably higher than the IC engine to make circualr motion but we are already short on power, ask CA if you don’t beleive me. Building otehr power plants needs to be on the table and a plan put forth. I guess the question is how much more effcient are these electrical cars over an IC engine not in MPG but in Kilowatts to move the car. How Kilowatts per Car is required to charge them. This ought to give us some insight into future power plant needs.
#1>
Why is a second clutch not used for HEVs to get into a EV-move? It seems like a simpler & easier method than what is currently used in production models.
#2>
Is there a point of higher %s of lean burn use ( duty cycle ) where further use begins to significantly effect service life or wear life of the engine? Can the Lean Burn function of vehicle like the Insight be run for any length of time if other means of emission control were available?
#3>
Is Honda doing any work toward rotary style engines of any type?
#4>
What if any is Honda’s interest in waste recovery systems? I’ve read about some research in recovering some of the waste heat from radiators or exhaust systems into electrical power.
———
Thanks for this rare opportunity.
#1>
Why is a second clutch not used for HEVs to get into a EV-move? It seems like a simpler & easier method than what is currently used in production models.
#2>
Is there a point of higher %s of lean burn use ( duty cycle ) where further use begins to significantly effect service life or wear life of the engine? Can the Lean Burn function of vehicle like the Insight be run for any length of time if other means of emission control were available?
#3>
Is Honda doing any work toward rotary style engines of any type?
#4>
What if any is Honda’s interest in waste recovery systems? I’ve read about some research in recovering some of the waste heat from radiators or exhaust systems into electrical power.
———
Thanks for this rare opportunity.
In response to Tetsuya Yokoyama’s post at Insight Central two questions are offered:
Given the advancement in battery technologies; Is Honda researching options for better batteries? For example an upgrade from NiMh to LiPo, or bigger Kwh battery packs. Maybe an “entry” level NiMh with a better _MPG_ performing LiPo (more agressive battery usage).
Along the same lines; Is Honda considering improved hybrid battery management strategies? For example _active_ battery balancing at the individual cell level to extend service life.
In response to Tetsuya Yokoyama’s post at Insight Central two questions are offered:
Given the advancement in battery technologies; Is Honda researching options for better batteries? For example an upgrade from NiMh to LiPo, or bigger Kwh battery packs. Maybe an “entry” level NiMh with a better _MPG_ performing LiPo (more agressive battery usage).
Along the same lines; Is Honda considering improved hybrid battery management strategies? For example _active_ battery balancing at the individual cell level to extend service life.
Thank you very much everyone for responding my article !! I’m sorry for such a short notice. I really do appreciate you all bring up great questions.
I think the Interview was very successful overall. I could get a lot of interesting answers from him.
I will write several articles on the Eco-Proudct event including this interview, other green cars, and various green non-cars topics too.
The Eco-Pooduct 2008 was huge. I could have spend 3 extra days to explore more.
I’m totally exhausted. Just let me fall into bed.
Tetsuya
I hope Mr. Yokoyama recovers soon. I can’t wait to read this interview report. Is there anyone who can go over to his house and make sure he’s OK? Just kidding, Tetsuya. You deserve your sleep. But how can I sleep without knowing the new Insight’s coefficient of drag?
I hope Mr. Yokoyama recovers soon. I can’t wait to read this interview report. Is there anyone who can go over to his house and make sure he’s OK? Just kidding, Tetsuya. You deserve your sleep. But how can I sleep without knowing the new Insight’s coefficient of drag?
Mr, Johnson, thank you very much for worrying my health. I am all right. I guess I lost at least 5lb during the fair though. I think I will put some pictures up on the article later. You can see my face looking not-so-good for the photo-op. Believe or not, I could only be able to get four hours sleep and several instant sleep cycles in the Tokyo crowded trains for these three days.
Anyway, I need little more time to write this interview article. You know it’s not easy to write artile by converting Japanese interview contents into English, especially with some technological detials involved. I am also writing several other articles about the fair including some green cars related which Gas 2.0 readers may be interested in.
By the way, I am a new writer here at Green Options Media, and this is another reason my article could be late to publish. GO Media editors help me a lot. I hope the aricle will be publsihed by the end of this week.
Response to David Jelen – the original Insight will do 100mpg if driven – the design is over 10 years old but its economy still has to be bettered by a car manufacturer
Response to David Jelen – the original Insight will do 100mpg if driven – the design is over 10 years old but its economy still has to be bettered by a car manufacturer
My article (part1) finally published to read. Sorry for giving you a long wait.
Exclusive Interview With Honda’s Chief Engineer – Part 1: Ultracapacitors
http://gas2.org/2008/12/23/interview-honda-chief-engineer-mr-yamamoto-part-1/
Part 2, 3… will come later.
ty
Capacitive storage certainly has a bright future,
but be aware of coming inductive storage devices:
USP TO Application #: 20080092555
Title: Cryogenic container, superconductivity magnetic energy storage (smes) system, and method for shielding a cryogenic fluid
Abstract: A cryogenic container includes an inner vessel for containing a cryogenic fluid, and an outer vessel for insulating the cryogenic fluid from the environment. The inner vessel includes a superconductive layer formed of a material having superconducting properties at the temperature of the cryogenic fluid. The superconductive layer forms a magnetic field around the cryogenic container, that repels electromagnetic energy, including thermal energy from the environment, keeping the cryogenic fluid at low temperatures. The cryogenic container has a portability and a volume that permits its’ use in applications from handheld electronics to vehicles such as alternative fueled vehicles (AFVs). A SMES storage system includes the cryogenic container, and a SMES magnet suspended within the cryogenic fluid. The SMES storage system can also include a recharger and a cryocooler configured to recharge the cryogenic container with the cryogenic fluid.
ct
LRHEuG hi! how you doin?
LRHEuG hi! how you doin?
Well honda should offer a limited number of manual transmission as a special edition
Well honda should offer a limited number of manual transmission as a special edition
I just read the article by Tetsuya Yokoyama about Honda’s CR-Z. It mentions the possible availability of a gasoline version. From 1983 to 1991, Honda produce the CRX, and especially the HF, that got 45+ mpg. Why not bring back the CRX/CR-Z as a gasoline version with 45+ mpg. You could save the expense and need of using hybrid technology, while keeping the weight low and still acheive exceptional gas mileage. I believe consumers are strictly interested in high mpg regardless of the technology. If you can build a dependable car that can get 45+ mpg and it is affordable for the common consumer, of course the people will buy it, especially if it is built by Honda. Count me in for a gasoline version CR-Z. Thank you for your time (domo arigato), Richard Herter
I just read the article by Tetsuya Yokoyama about Honda’s CR-Z. It mentions the possible availability of a gasoline version. From 1983 to 1991, Honda produce the CRX, and especially the HF, that got 45+ mpg. Why not bring back the CRX/CR-Z as a gasoline version with 45+ mpg. You could save the expense and need of using hybrid technology, while keeping the weight low and still acheive exceptional gas mileage. I believe consumers are strictly interested in high mpg regardless of the technology. If you can build a dependable car that can get 45+ mpg and it is affordable for the common consumer, of course the people will buy it, especially if it is built by Honda. Count me in for a gasoline version CR-Z. Thank you for your time (domo arigato), Richard Herter