Honda Develops Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) System For Introduction in Brazil in 2006
 Honda had developed a new flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) system that enables gasoline engine-based power plants to operate on either 100% ethanol or a wide range of ethanol-gasoline fuel mixtures. |
<http://www.japancorp.net/?page_num=1> JapanCorp: Honda Develops Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) System For Introduction in Brazil in 2006 Honda Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 25, 2006 - (JCN Newswire) - Honda Motor Co., Ltd., announced that it has developed a new flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) system that enables gasoline engine-based power plants to operate on either 100% ethanol or a wide range of ethanol-gasoline fuel mixtures. Up to now, variations in the ratio of ethanol-to-gasoline have affected low-temperature startup performance, and caused variations in air-fuel ratio and engine output. This has made it a challenge to maintain stable dynamic performance, fuel economy and emissions levels. The new Honda system adapts to different ethanol-to-gasoline ratios by estimating the concentration of ethanol in the ethanol-gasoline mix in the fuel tank based on measurements of exhaust gas concentration in the vehicle's exhaust system. This provides the flexibility to adapt to ethanol-to-gasoline ratios of between 20% and 100%, while achieving outstanding fuel economy and dynamic performance on a par with a 100% gasoline-powered vehicle. In addition, a cold-start system utilizing a secondary fuel tank ensures reliable starts even at low ambient temperatures. Bioethanol fuel, as used in Brazil and other countries, is made from plant sources such as sugar cane. Because plants absorb CO2 via photosynthesis, the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere from burning bioethanol fuel does not increase atmospheric CO2. This makes bioethanol fuel an effective means to combat global warming as well as an alternative to petroleum. In late 2006, Honda plans to begin sales of FFVs in Brazil, where bio-ethanol has gained in popularity. Engine Specifications (Honda calculations) Civic FFV Fit FFV Displacement 1.8 liters 1.4 liters Max. Output 103kW(140PS)/6,200rpm 6 1kW(83PS)/5,700rpm (ethanol*1) (ethanol*1) 102kW(138PS)/6,200rpm 59kW(80PS)/5,700rpm (gasoline*2) (gasoline*2) Max. Torque 174N m(17.7kg m)/4,300rpm 119N m(12.1kg m)/2,800rpm (ethanol*1) (ethanol*1) 172N m(17.5kg m)/5,000rpm 116N m(11.8kg m)/2,800rpm (gasoline*2) (gasoline*2) *1 100% ethanol *2 22% ethanol mixture About Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is one of the leading manufacturers of automobiles and power products and the largest manufacture of motorcycles in the world. Honda has always sought to provide genuine satisfaction to people worldwide. The result is more than 120 manufacturing facilities in 30 countries worldwide, producing a wide range of products, including motorcycles, ATVs, generators, marine engines, lawn and garden equipment and automobiles that bring the company into contact with over 19 million customers annually. For more information, please visit http://world.honda.com. For further information, please visit the Honda Motor Co., Ltd. home page at: world.honda.com <http://world.honda.com> Contact Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Media Inquiries Tel: +81-3-5412-1512 E-mail: corporate_pr@hm.honda.co.jp _____ Sept. 25, 2006, 16:06 (JST) Source: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (U.S.: HMC) (FTSE: HNDA) world.honda.com <http://world.honda.com> From the Japan Corporate News Network View <http://www.japancorp.net/company_show.asp?compid=639> Honda Motor Co., Ltd. 's Company Profile On JCN Network www.japancorp.net <http://www.japancorp.net> Topic: Press release summary Sectors: Auto Manufacturing, Gas & Oil, Alternative Energy, Energy, Environmental, Auto Copyright © 2006 JCN Network <http://www.japancorp.net> . A division of Japan Corporate News Network KK. All rights reserved. If you believe you have received this news in error or would like to be removed from our mailing list please respond here <https://www.japancorp.net/unsubscribe.asp> (https://www.japancorp.net/unsubscribe.asp) and you will be removed from our mailing list. If you have difficulty viewing our News Alerts in HTML format you can change your settings here <https://www.japancorp.net/changeregister.asp> (https://www.japancorp.net/changeregister.asp).