Editor’s Note: This is part three of an interview Tetsuya Yokoyama recently had the opportunity to conduct with Honda R&D Chief Engineer, Mr. Yamamoto, at Eco-Products 2008 in Tokyo, Japan. Mr. Yamamoto is greatly involved in the development of Honda’s hybrid technology including the upcoming 2009 Insight. Read part one here and part two here.
Honda CR-Z lightweight hybrid sports car. Photo: Honda
After talking with Mr. Yamamoto about supercapacitors, I moved on to discuss the possibility of a manual transmission on future hybrid vehicles. He said that it would not be difficult to put a manual transmission into an Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) Hybrid system.
Even though the current Civic hybrids have no option for a manual transmission, a manual transmission was offered on the first generation of that car. The reason the current Civic Hybrid has a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is to increase overall fuel efficiency by automatically letting the system choose the most efficient drive ratio.
While you could potentially get a much better fuel efficiency with a manual transmission if you practice “Ecodriving,” the efficiency would go down significantly if you choose lower gears more often or drove more aggressively.
Mr. Yamamoto indicated that a manual transmission option is basically just a matter of market demand. In terms of business, the potential customers who demand a manual transmission are not high enough in Japan and USA. On the other hand, the Honda sales department has brought up the subject of a manual transmission option for the European market.
A manual transmission is possible with enough market demand, so he advises that if customers want it, they should raise their voices for it. He also pointed out that a feasible option to add a manual transmission on the IMA system is in fact a great differentiation Honda can offer compared to other manufactures. For example, Prius can’t offer it, he added.
I think that a sporty type model would have a high demand for a manual transmission, such as the CR-Z hybrid Honda is planning. Probably old CRX fans would love to have such a car. When I mentioned this to Mr. Yamamoto, he enthusiastically responded by telling me that he used to drive an ’84 CRX. After I told him I used to own two CRXs, he said “That was a great car” with a reminiscent smile on his face and went on a bit of a tangent, explaining that the CRX was initially targeted as a 50 mpg car in the development phase and maintained that focus all the way through to production.
In the end, I told him that I hoped Honda will make a great CR-Z production model. Mr. Yamamoto said that he hopes he can meet such high expectations — a refreshingly candid and honest response.
Part 4 of the interview is coming soon, so stay tuned to Gas 2.0 for more.
Exclusive Interview With Honda’s Chief Engineer Series:
- Submit Your Questions for Honda’s Chief Engineer About Hybrid Cars
- Exclusive Interview With Honda’s Chief Engineer – Part 1: Ultracapacitors
- Exclusive Interview With Honda’s Chief Engineer – Part 2: More on The Ultracapacitor
Related links at Honda website:
Other Related Posts:
- Eco-Products 2008, One of Japan’s Biggest Environmental Fairs to Open This Week
- Nissan and Honda will Mass-Produce Lithium Ion Batteries Soon
- Honda FCX Clarity On Main Street of Sundance Film Festival
Insight Concept. It resembles the CR-Z concept and the second generation CRX to some degree.
CRX: a fun to drive and high fuel economy car. The silver one was my very first car, and the red one was my second CRX with a stick shift. They managed to run between Las Vegas and Santa Barbara (approx 380 miles) without refueling.
* Please note that my interview with Mr. Yamamoto was conducted in Japanese and this post represents my best effort at translating his Japanese into English. Keep in mind that some of my translation may express a slightly different meaning from what Mr. Yamamoto intended to explain, and I may have a misunderstanding on some technical topics because I have no technical education in this subject. Please feel free to point out if you find an incorrect description. I do appreciate it because my intention of writing this article is to share correct information on this interesting topic.
Image Credits: Honda / M. Koguchi / Tetsuya Yokoyama
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First, Mr. Yokoyama, let me assure you your English is first rate. I look forward to each of your interviews. This one was worth the wait.
It is indeed great news that Honda has not totally given up on the idea of a hybrid car with a manual transmission! Many are wishing one was offered on the new Insight, but it would be unthinkable to claim the CR-Z is a sports car unless it offers a manual transmission. I, too, loved 2 CRX Si cars before going on to 2 Insights–all with manual transmissions. The CR-Z will certainly be a dilemma for me because I love my Insight so much.
First, Mr. Yokoyama, let me assure you your English is first rate. I look forward to each of your interviews. This one was worth the wait.
It is indeed great news that Honda has not totally given up on the idea of a hybrid car with a manual transmission! Many are wishing one was offered on the new Insight, but it would be unthinkable to claim the CR-Z is a sports car unless it offers a manual transmission. I, too, loved 2 CRX Si cars before going on to 2 Insights–all with manual transmissions. The CR-Z will certainly be a dilemma for me because I love my Insight so much.
Great Post! Thanks for the inside story!
I think when most people think of a manual in a hybrid, they think of putting an actual gearbox in the car. What if the insight was made with the usual CVT, except with a clutch and a shift-by-wire shifter? In manual mode, the CVT simply wouldn’t change gear ratios unless you shift to a different one with the shifter. It would almost perfectly imitate a gearbox, just without the gears.
Another advantage would be you could have the option to drive it like an automatic by letting the CVT change gear ratios. So, you could switch between automatic and manual with the push of a button.
Great Post! Thanks for the inside story!
I think when most people think of a manual in a hybrid, they think of putting an actual gearbox in the car. What if the insight was made with the usual CVT, except with a clutch and a shift-by-wire shifter? In manual mode, the CVT simply wouldn’t change gear ratios unless you shift to a different one with the shifter. It would almost perfectly imitate a gearbox, just without the gears.
Another advantage would be you could have the option to drive it like an automatic by letting the CVT change gear ratios. So, you could switch between automatic and manual with the push of a button.
Great post!!
What would be the best process to make our voices heard about wanting a standard hybrid? Is it at the dealership level, through a website, etc. etc.
Great post!!
What would be the best process to make our voices heard about wanting a standard hybrid? Is it at the dealership level, through a website, etc. etc.