Honda V8 coming... in 2015
"You've got to have the right tool for the job." "You can't bring a knife to a gun-fight." Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. We've heard it all before. Honda makes some excellent engines, there's no doubt about that, from small displacement four-pots that rev through the roof to gloriously smooth and reliable V6 units. Unfortunately, the fun stops there, as the Japanese automaker has steadfastly stuck to its guns, not building an eight-cylinder engine when it can do just as well with fewer pistons.
Regardless of how competent its six may be, nearly all of Honda's competitors offer V8 engines in their top-level models, and Acura fanatics have been begging for a range-topper to compete with the likes of Audi, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz for years. They may soon get their wish, as Honda's CEO Takeo Fukui has stated once and for all that Acura will indeed be getting an eight for its next top-level sedan.
What good is a beefy engine if you can't get the power to the ground? A big, heavy V8 engine over the front tires is a recipe for a horribly unbalanced front-driver, and Honda realizes this. So expect the aforementioned sedan to get rear-wheel-drive to go along with its newfound infusion of displacement. When? Not until 2015 according to some industry sources. That's a veritable eternity in the auto biz, so we have to wonder if Fukui has let the cat out of the bag a bit prematurely.
[Source: Auto Observer]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Carlos 4:52PM (11/28/2008)
imagine vtec
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Rev 6:55PM (11/28/2008)
Ummmm, why?
What cars don't come with variable valve timing?
SimbaDogg 10:34PM (11/28/2008)
lots of cars coming w/ variable valve timing, but i think a lot of people would argue no one does it quite like honda does. i can't think of any non exotic company that builds more 100hp/liter motors than honda has in NA form. even 120 hp/liter
but then again, you're also forgetting the lift, and variable timing control...oh yeah, then there's the "advanced vtec" thats supposed to be dropped sometime soon.
IK 11:20PM (11/28/2008)
hmmm... 400hp @ 14k rpm from a 3 liter V8 with 35mpg
that will be the day
pmiddle5 12:32AM (11/29/2008)
to bad the Fit with a 1.6l doesnt even do 35mpg... OI!
Scott 2:15PM (11/29/2008)
"i think a lot of people would argue no one does it quite like honda does."
I would say that argument would make them either fanboys or lacking knowledge on valve timing systems out there.
If I'm not mistaken, Honda has never offered a continuously variable valve timing system and is still using the "2 profiles" system. BMW has had continuously variable (infinite intake *and separate* exhaust profiles) since 1996. I'm not sure about other manufacturers.
remy 2:39PM (11/29/2008)
To Scott:
Lack of knowledge would be the answer.
All K-series engines from Honda and probably more uses i-Vtec which is continuous timing of the valve. The 2 profile system is also used in addition to the variable system but only in high end applications like the civic SI, S2000, etc.
MikeW 3:39PM (11/29/2008)
Honda doesn't have a V6 with variable intake (or exhaust) camshaft phasers.
Phasers are far more utilitarian (emissions, mileage, torque, power)
Honda will get right on that, just after it adds a second camshaft to the head and gets rid of the timing belt.
jgp 9:06PM (11/29/2008)
The "2 profiles" system is superior to continuous VVT. Continuous VVT is only so commonly used because it's cheaper.
Continious VVT cannot affect valve lift; varying the valve lift makes a bigger difference than just varying the timing. Most companies that do good VVT (e.g. Toyota's VVTL-i and the system in Nissan's VQ37VHR) use both continuous VVT and the "2 profiles" system, because they know that VVT is worthless without varying valve lift.
MikeW 5:24PM (11/30/2008)
See http://www.mechadyne-int.com/vva-reference/papers/the-impact-of-variable-valve-actuation-on-engine-performance-and-emissions.pdf
Page 2, phasers win
Page 3, phasers win
Page 4, phasers again
Page 5, phasers, detecting a trend
Page 6, Lift switching scores a point
Page 7, phaser return
Page 8, The duration scaling system trumps both
http://www.sandsmuseum.com/cars/elise/thecar/engine/vvcrover.html
Page 9, Tie between Lift scaling (toyota valvematic, Nissan VVeL, Valvetronic) and direct injection
Phasers first, direct injection second, then variable lift system (Audi did this, while Porsche when phaser-variable lift-direct injection)
Luke 4:54PM (11/28/2008)
If this is true, will the new NSX also have to wait until 2015? I'm all for taking the time to develop the best technology possible but this is a little much.
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Dave 7:58PM (11/28/2008)
Honda can build an NSX without a V8.
Perhaps Honda is preparing to enter the fullsize pickup truck wars.
Once Chrysler and GM go belly up, there will be room for a new entry.
jon 5:04PM (11/28/2008)
There may be a void left for v8 powered Honda products by then.
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aaron 5:05PM (11/28/2008)
Some will argue that V-8's are on the way out (albeit slowly), but my goodness...2015? Will it really matter then? So the biggest question is where are the forced induction engines for these types of cars? TT V-6's and the like?
Acura uses that wonderful turbo four in the RDX, but that's it. Yes, the mileage ain't great in the RDX but what if you put it in a Civic Si? Is that engine too exclusive for "regular" Hondas. Probably, since the TSX is supposedly getting a diesel engine first.
Oh crap, rambling again. I can't stop.
The lack of V-8's and forced induction anything really only tells me they like to stay in the whatever-you-call "super ultra low emissions" (only guessing here) and gas mileage. Not a bad thing at all, but who would've thought the Koreans would come out with a V-8 before Honda?
Don't get me started on RWD....Infinity/BMW for me and many others. No "power plenum" grills on either of those superior cars.
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why not the LS2LS7? 5:20PM (11/28/2008)
I think the old Integra GS-R engine was plenty for a Civic. A 1.8 or 2.0 liter 8250rpm engine can produce 200HP and gets better mpg than a turbo when not flogged.
jim 5:22PM (11/28/2008)
By 2015 the state of the art for performance cars maybe a torque monster electric motor that seamlessly moves the car from 0 to whatever with no muss and no fuss. Leaving Acura behind again
aaron 5:29PM (11/28/2008)
Agreed. The GS-R engine is a near classic and coveted by car thieves. Perhaps a better example for me to use would be the new TSX getting bigger and heavier but no RDX engine. Wouldn't it be perfect for that car?
Anywho, I used the current Civic Si as an example because when you compare to the rest of the segment (MazdaSpeed3, Golf GTI, the almighty Cobalt SS), it just lacks the value and overall performance in comparison. If you put the turbo-4 in there it would be right back in the fight.
Red 5:35PM (11/28/2008)
@aaron,
"The lack of V-8's and forced induction anything really only tells me they like to stay in the whatever-you-call "super ultra low emissions"..."
Just so you know, Lexus' LS600h uses a V8, albeit-mated to a hybrid, and achieves a SULEV (super ultra low emission vehicle) rating. Acura originally put together a V8 and rear wheel drive RL prior to this current generation, as an evaluation test. The test went well, but the project got shelved. At the time, Acura's V6 was still a completely viable alternative to the engines on the market. The FWD chassis have always been what's held Acura back more than the number cylinders. IMHO, that's more important than the V8.
Still, Fukui should stick to Honda and allow someone else to manage Acura from the top down. Honda brass has been holding Acura back for nearly 15 years.
P.V. 5:28PM (11/28/2008)
Bring it (as long as it gets a good power:displacement ratio and gets better-than-average fuel economy)!
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Bungle 2:45PM (11/29/2008)
Being Honda, I'm sure it will have a high specific output, but the torque remains to be seen...
I can see it now: 4.0L V-8 with 480hp @ 9000 RPM and 163 lb-ft of torque. ;-)