The brilliance of the new electric sh-awd
02-08-2012, 01:09 PM
#1
The brilliance of the new electric sh-awd
After reading about this new system I thought how interesting and easy it would be to create a Legend Limo. No drive shaft, etc (Yeah, with retirement I have WAY to much time on my hands!)
But then I started thinking about ALL the things that E SH-AWD solve not only in a limo but how it might affect the day to day of the new RL
Turning radius binding. We know that the turning radius is not exceptional on the RL but by eliminating the drive shaft and relying on the electronic control system, low speed maneuvers will be MUCH easier as the system determines the torque and spin rate of the wheels that would normally bind when making a tight turn or backing up.
City driving economy. In the city the RL becomes a rear wheel drive all electric car. At speeds up to 25 MPH the rear wheels using only electricity move the car. With stop and go traffic speeds, the rear wheel drive and / or the front engine 40 HP electric engine (when needed) do everything and the gasoline engine may never engage.
High speed aerodynamics. While traveling at highways speeds, since there is no need for a transmission tunnel, the bottom of the car can be made more aerodynamic. Therefore better MPG at highways speeds.
This last part is PURE speculation, but years ago I remember listening to a show on horsepower needed to keep a vehicle moving on a highway versus the horse power need to get it to speeds. I "thought" it was that once a car reached 65 MPH it needed 18 horsepower to keep it going at that speed, but I could be wrong Each of the rear motors provides 27 HP (according to the article on AutoBlog) that should be more than enough to keep a heavy car like the RL cruising on flat stretches of interstate. With proper engine management is it possible that the RL could avoid using it's slick new DI V-6 engine while cruising??
Could Honda actually have a clue about going in the right direction for the future??
But then I started thinking about ALL the things that E SH-AWD solve not only in a limo but how it might affect the day to day of the new RL
Turning radius binding. We know that the turning radius is not exceptional on the RL but by eliminating the drive shaft and relying on the electronic control system, low speed maneuvers will be MUCH easier as the system determines the torque and spin rate of the wheels that would normally bind when making a tight turn or backing up.
City driving economy. In the city the RL becomes a rear wheel drive all electric car. At speeds up to 25 MPH the rear wheels using only electricity move the car. With stop and go traffic speeds, the rear wheel drive and / or the front engine 40 HP electric engine (when needed) do everything and the gasoline engine may never engage.
High speed aerodynamics. While traveling at highways speeds, since there is no need for a transmission tunnel, the bottom of the car can be made more aerodynamic. Therefore better MPG at highways speeds.
This last part is PURE speculation, but years ago I remember listening to a show on horsepower needed to keep a vehicle moving on a highway versus the horse power need to get it to speeds. I "thought" it was that once a car reached 65 MPH it needed 18 horsepower to keep it going at that speed, but I could be wrong Each of the rear motors provides 27 HP (according to the article on AutoBlog) that should be more than enough to keep a heavy car like the RL cruising on flat stretches of interstate. With proper engine management is it possible that the RL could avoid using it's slick new DI V-6 engine while cruising??
Could Honda actually have a clue about going in the right direction for the future??
02-08-2012, 03:31 PM
#3
Senior Moderator
This last part is PURE speculation, but years ago I remember listening to a show on horsepower needed to keep a vehicle moving on a highway versus the horse power need to get it to speeds. I "thought" it was that once a car reached 65 MPH it needed 18 horsepower to keep it going at that speed, but I could be wrong Each of the rear motors provides 27 HP (according to the article on AutoBlog) that should be more than enough to keep a heavy car like the RL cruising on flat stretches of interstate. With proper engine management is it possible that the RL could avoid using it's slick new DI V-6 engine while cruising??
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Litt (02-09-2012)
02-08-2012, 04:20 PM
#5
Senior Moderator
Thank you for confirming what I already knew. 
(Air resistance is friction too.
)
(Air resistance is friction too.
)
02-08-2012, 05:09 PM
#6
Suzuka Master
iTrader: (1)
02-08-2012, 05:38 PM
#7
Senior Moderator
60% of the time it works every time.
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02-08-2012, 06:51 PM
#8
Senior Moderator
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HEAVY_RL (02-08-2012)
02-08-2012, 07:05 PM
#9
Burning Brakes
After reading about this new system I thought how interesting and easy it would be to create a Legend Limo. No drive shaft, etc (Yeah, with retirement I have WAY to much time on my hands!)
But then I started thinking about ALL the things that E SH-AWD solve not only in a limo but how it might affect the day to day of the new RL
Turning radius binding. We know that the turning radius is not exceptional on the RL but by eliminating the drive shaft and relying on the electronic control system, low speed maneuvers will be MUCH easier as the system determines the torque and spin rate of the wheels that would normally bind when making a tight turn or backing up.
City driving economy. In the city the RL becomes a rear wheel drive all electric car. At speeds up to 25 MPH the rear wheels using only electricity move the car. With stop and go traffic speeds, the rear wheel drive and / or the front engine 40 HP electric engine (when needed) do everything and the gasoline engine may never engage.
High speed aerodynamics. While traveling at highways speeds, since there is no need for a transmission tunnel, the bottom of the car can be made more aerodynamic. Therefore better MPG at highways speeds.
This last part is PURE speculation, but years ago I remember listening to a show on horsepower needed to keep a vehicle moving on a highway versus the horse power need to get it to speeds. I "thought" it was that once a car reached 65 MPH it needed 18 horsepower to keep it going at that speed, but I could be wrong Each of the rear motors provides 27 HP (according to the article on AutoBlog) that should be more than enough to keep a heavy car like the RL cruising on flat stretches of interstate. With proper engine management is it possible that the RL could avoid using it's slick new DI V-6 engine while cruising??
Could Honda actually have a clue about going in the right direction for the future??
But then I started thinking about ALL the things that E SH-AWD solve not only in a limo but how it might affect the day to day of the new RL
Turning radius binding. We know that the turning radius is not exceptional on the RL but by eliminating the drive shaft and relying on the electronic control system, low speed maneuvers will be MUCH easier as the system determines the torque and spin rate of the wheels that would normally bind when making a tight turn or backing up.
City driving economy. In the city the RL becomes a rear wheel drive all electric car. At speeds up to 25 MPH the rear wheels using only electricity move the car. With stop and go traffic speeds, the rear wheel drive and / or the front engine 40 HP electric engine (when needed) do everything and the gasoline engine may never engage.
High speed aerodynamics. While traveling at highways speeds, since there is no need for a transmission tunnel, the bottom of the car can be made more aerodynamic. Therefore better MPG at highways speeds.
This last part is PURE speculation, but years ago I remember listening to a show on horsepower needed to keep a vehicle moving on a highway versus the horse power need to get it to speeds. I "thought" it was that once a car reached 65 MPH it needed 18 horsepower to keep it going at that speed, but I could be wrong Each of the rear motors provides 27 HP (according to the article on AutoBlog) that should be more than enough to keep a heavy car like the RL cruising on flat stretches of interstate. With proper engine management is it possible that the RL could avoid using it's slick new DI V-6 engine while cruising??
Could Honda actually have a clue about going in the right direction for the future??
02-08-2012, 07:28 PM
#10
I agree. Now, let's see the damn thing!
02-09-2012, 08:02 PM
#12
I started thinkin about this a bit more. I certainly agree with the Pros with this new hybrid setup, but I thought of a potential con. Where are the electric batttries going to go? The RL does not have much room in the trunk now and they said the car won't be significantly bigger. Maybe that transmission tunnel space just got stufffed with a bunch Lithium Ion.
Did they say whether its not a "pluggable" hybrid? If not, all the energy (except for recoup braking) is still ultimately coming from gas and that engines going to be running at highway speed to charge the batteries.
Did they say whether its not a "pluggable" hybrid? If not, all the energy (except for recoup braking) is still ultimately coming from gas and that engines going to be running at highway speed to charge the batteries.
02-09-2012, 09:36 PM
#13
Pro
The flat bottom of a car is proven to aide in reducing aerodynamic pressure. Hence some cars have a skid plate to cover the engine bottom (like the RL with the dust cover), and the differential area. If you add side skirts and wheel covers you can greatly reduce drag. It only takes less than 25 hp to move a vehicle down the road once cruising speed is reached is what I have heard.
02-09-2012, 10:12 PM
#14
I guess you missed what I said about batteries. Where will they be located and they must be charged
02-09-2012, 10:28 PM
#15
Senior Moderator
^I don't think he was responding to you. You will likely have to wait until April or Fall to get a true answer.
02-09-2012, 11:07 PM
#16
Racer
I guess the car with the batteries and motors will still be lighter than the current RL. and much easier to package.
They should put the batteries near the rear flat in the floor so it has a low centre of gravity and a 50 / 50 weight distribution.
They should put the batteries near the rear flat in the floor so it has a low centre of gravity and a 50 / 50 weight distribution.
02-10-2012, 01:13 AM
#17
Pro
A good location is under the rear seat, then you can use that raised platform and part of the trunk to locate the batteries, move the gas tank to a higher position or further back in the trunk area to accommodate the battery. Most likely a Lithium for best life.
02-10-2012, 09:48 AM
#18
02-10-2012, 11:37 AM
#19
Why do you think it will be lighter? IMHO, I doubt it. Batteries are heavy and they are only losing the part of the transmission.
02-10-2012, 02:40 PM
#20
Senior Moderator
I believe the drive shaft, transfer case, and SH-AWD clutch/differential weighs upwards of 250lbs. Batteries are heavy, but not that heavy. At least I hope.
02-10-2012, 02:51 PM
#21
I compared several Lexus Hybrid versus non-Hybrid models. Every Hybrid was heavier. However, they are not using this new Acura design that eliminates the AWD tranmission. So, hopefully you are right, but I have my doubts.
02-13-2012, 03:34 AM
#22
Maybe not that much weight differential
It would, however, be nice if there was some weight savings because i presume that the purported body increase will add a few hundred pounds.
My guess is curb weight of a 2013 fully loaded RL will be north of 4250 pounds.
One good thing about the rear wheel motors and Li-O battery is that the engineers will have an easier time creating a better handling balance.
02-14-2012, 05:10 PM
#23
I search a bit but could not find any reports on whether it will be a plugable hybrid or not. Anyone know?
Same question for NSX.
Same question for NSX.
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