Honda Unveils a Revolutionary Motorcycle

It’s hard to talk about the first motorcycle hybridization, but adding an electrified accessory to an internal combustion engine is close.

The EICMA 2024 motorcycle show is definitely a milestone for Honda. After unveiling its concepts of EV Fun and EV Urban electric scooters, the Japanese manufacturer surprises with an innovative forced air intake motorcycle engine. Honda’s research and development engineers have been working on what could be the next generation of high-efficiency internal combustion engines, and the result is truly special…

It is fundamentally a 75° V3 4-stroke internal combustion engine with liquid cooling, already far from being conventional. Older enthusiasts will remember that the last appearance of a V3 on a Honda dates back to the early 80s with the NS400R two-stroke engine. 40 years later, the world has evolved, and this architecture is making a strong comeback to equip larger displacement models. However, the innovation is not only in this architecture but primarily in the fact that, for the first time in the world, such a block integrates an electric compressor. This component can control the air flow pressure in the intake ducts independently of the engine speed. This means high torque values can be delivered at the lowest revs with instant regulation of intake air compression. Additionally, this electric compressor is particularly compact and does not require a dedicated cooling system unlike a traditional turbocharger.

Only time will tell when this solution will be integrated into mass-produced models, but Honda has rarely indulged in mere publicity stunts. If this engine is being presented today, we can be certain that it works, has proven its effectiveness and reliability, and is economically viable. In short, we should soon see the first prototypes in action.

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