It looks as if the era of downsizing engines and adding complex turbocharger systems may soon be coming to an end. Honda has announced that it is developing a new V-6 engine that will serve as an integral part of the automaker’s next-generation hybrid system, the engine that will power its future large hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) in North America.
The new powertrain will hit the market in 2027 and will feature “strong driving performance and high towing capacity.” We don’t know how much power the new hybrid system will produce, but the automaker’s current V-6 — the 3.5-liter engine that powers the Odyssey, Pilot, and Ridgeline — generates 285 horsepower and can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
The new engine may not produce as much power if Honda Its hybrid electric vehicles aim to achieve 30 percent better fuel efficiency than its current combustion-powered offerings. The automaker also hopes to improve full acceleration performance by more than 10 percent, so it’s not entirely focused on mpg.
It is unclear whether the new hybrid system will be launched in a completely new model or in an existing model. Honda recently updated pilotBut the current generation Ridgeline and Odyssey They are approaching the end of their life cycle.
Photo by: Honda
Honda has already announced the development of new 1.5- and 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines for future hybrids, so the combustion power isn’t finished yet. However, automakers are incorporating electrification to enhance efficiency and reduce reliance on gasoline.
In recent months, several other automakers have announced new commitments to develop gasoline engines, including… Cadillac, Bentleyand BMW. With electric vehicle sales stagnating in the United States, companies are returning to using combustion energy.
Honda’s V-6 announcement was part of a larger presentation of several new technologies it is developing. The company also showed off a next-generation mid-size platform arriving in 2027, which is stiffer and lighter than the current body structure.
If Honda’s new hybrid is launched in less than two years, we can expect to see the products it will run on very soon.
